Disclaimer: I do not claim ownership of Pokemon, its characters, locations, or names. All of them, with the exception of original characters, ideas, and places, belong to Nintendo.
Credits: Vanika, Silvanus, Gwen, and all locations involving Nara belong to me.
AN: I don't care much for this chapter, because I had to rewrite the whole ball. The first time I did it, the computer deleted it or something because when I went back to look, the beginning all the way to the beginning of the phone call was cut out, and I know I didn't take it out because the call made no sense without it. XD So yes. I am happy with how it went the second time around, but just the extra work pissed me off. Evil computer.
As for the ball (I don't suggest reading on in these notes until you finish), I know that Ash should be able to take stress better then that. Ever hear the saying 'Don't bite off more then you can chew'? That's what I think of when it comes to what happens. Too much is happening, it is getting to him, he gets sick – both literally and nonliterally. Though, when I wrote the scene, I hadn't considered that saying. It is just now I'm thinking of it.
As for the beginning, that actually is jabbing fun at myself. "You just like having someone to play dolls with" kinda refers to how A) I make dolls (usually of Ash, either original character or of Pokemon's), and B) Love screwing with Ash's looks and personality. XD He's such a fun character to play around with to see how he turns out. Plus the scene does remind me of a little girl dressing up a barbie doll. XD or something like that.
Warning: Ok you pervs (kidding), go elsewhere to read a sex scene. ;p It isn't in this chapter either. You'll have to wait a little while longer to read my (badly) wrote one...or two. Or three. Four, five, six... XD Nah, not that many. Only two or so.
- Chapter Nine: Troubles in Transia -
"Oh, you look stunning!" Ash stared at Gwen when she clapped her hands together, beaming at him. "You clean up so nicely!"
"You just like having someone to play dolls with," he remarked, poking fun at her enjoyment of finding an outfit for him.
"I can't deny it. It is fun dressing you up, like having my very own model. I'd make some more changes if we had time, but we have to get going. Your fans await!" She wasn't lying; it was nearing the beginning of the Transia Ball, and they needed to get to the hall before the beginning speech.
After being whisked into the car, Ash looked out of the window quietly, thinking over what he had to do. He knew it'd be a long, hard night that he'd be forced to tolerate.
- - -
"Without further ado, we introduce to you, Nara League's newest and youngest Pokemon Master in 50 years, Ash Ketchum!" The applause that filled the room was overwhelming, as shouts from all sides attacked his hearing. Putting his hands up and shaking his head when the laughing man went to hand him to microphone, Ash refused the offer; he didn't feel like talking to the whole room, not when he felt like there was a group of Butterfrees making their home in his stomach.
Forcing a smile when Brock, then Gwen, prodded him to walk around and talk to some of the guests, Ash took to the crowd, keeping his head down to keep from drawing more attention then he already had. "Oh, Mr. Ketchum!"
Ash paled when he heard the giggles that followed the greeting. Slowly, he turned to regard the offending girls warily. The ensuing 'Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhh!' they made ground on his already shot nerves; having so many people trying to talk to him wasn't at all thrilling. "Yes?" he asked, replacing the smile that didn't want to linger for too long.
"I...well...I wanted to ask..." The gaggle of girls whispered encouraging words to the one speaking, all of them giggling. Ash wondered just how old they were...and how old they were trying to act. They look like they're 14 or something. "Would you dance with me? Please?"
"I'm sorry, but I don't dance," he replied, having to look away to keep from seeing the crestfallen expression the girl had. As he moved to walk away, she grabbed hold of his sleeve.
"You can't just this once? I'm your biggest fan!" No, you're not. The only one that can have that title is May, Ash thought, getting a sick feeling when the image of the forest surfaced in his mind; his stomach churned painfully. "Please?"
"I'm sorry, I can't. I won't." Pulling his arm away from the pleading girl, Ash edged away from them, going into a run when he was free of the majority of people. He ignored the yells from Misty, the ones from Gwen, and shoved past the loitering people.
Letting the door swing shut behind him, Ash leaned forward, his hands on the sink, and stared into the mirror. He felt a sudden jolt run through him, and he bent over, the contents of dinner returning to haunt him; he knew it had been a good idea to make a run for it.
As he continued to gag, feeling lightheaded as he couldn't breath, Ash felt someone pat him on the back gently. A glance in the mirror revealed it was his long time male Gym Leader friend. "The girls wondered what was wrong when you didn't say anything to them," Brock said, letting up when Ash pushed himself straighter, breathing heavily once he had finished vomiting.
"This isn't what I wanted," Ash croaked, his voice sounding rough from the abuse it had taken, "I didn't want to have all these things to do." He shook his head. "My dream...I have it, but I don't want it if I have to do all of this."
He made a face. "Balls, interviews, meetings, running and hiding from crazy people...Brock, I didn't sign up for that!" Ash whined pitifully, "I just want to go back to the forest. Is that really too much to ask for?"
Brock shook his head. "No, usually not. But you have a responsibility to take care of now, and that has to come first...lovesick or not." He didn't know if Ash's expression could be any more heartbroken then it already was.
"It isn't fair," he said quietly, wiping his eyes on his sleeve as he left the bathroom. Ash saw both Gwen and Misty waiting patiently nearby, and waved them over. "Can I go now? I came, I saw, I talked, I want to go lay down."
Smiling sadly, Gwen gave him a short, soft hug. "Go on ahead. I'll cover for you if someone starts asking questions."
"I'm sorry." Looking at Misty, then Brock, Ash gave them apologetic looks. "Don't worry about me; I want you to have fun. That's what everyone is here for, anyway."
"Alright, try to feel better. We need you in one piece for tomorrow," Misty said, trying to lighten the mood and failing. Ash nodded absentmindedly, drifting off. "What is going on?"
Gwen frowned at Misty. "The stress is taking its toll on him." she replied, worriedly watching after his retreating form, "He's just a kid, and one that's been thrown into turmoil no less. I can't say I can blame him for wanting to skirt the attention, not when he most likely feels like his world is falling apart around him."
"He's been fighting for this since...since he was ten. Why would it now be more of a hassle then anything else?" the redhead asked. Brock rubbed his chin thoughtfully, digesting the conversation.
"He didn't expect that this would come along with the realization of that dream of being the Master...or that it'd pull him away from everything he cares about," he said, watching the amazement appear on her face.
"I thought he knew already."
- - -
Seeing the hotel room was welcomed. The walk had made him feel better, and being greeted upon his return by his favorite Pokemon warmed him. "Pikapi, chu?"
"They're still at the ball." Slipping his shoes off, he climbed onto the bed, curling up. Anguish still burned inside him; Ash moaned, holding back the tears that started threatening to fall. I need to call. I can't take this anymore. Rolling onto his back, he grabbed the phone and dialed the number, the ringing evoking a feeling of suspense in him. Please, pick up.
- - -
May stretched out, her blanket slithering off, as there was a shrill ringing. She rolled over to grab the small phone, flipping it open and putting it to her ear. "Hello?" she asked groggily.
"May? It's me. I didn't wake you up did I?" Her eyes widened at the sound of Ash's relieved voice. She smiled widely.
"Ash, you called!" she squealed, pulling the blanket over her head. "Yeah, you woke me up, but I don't mind. I saw your battle today."
There was a moment of silence. "I'm sorry, I didn't know whether you would be in bed or not already." he said, "You saw it...?"
"Yeah, on the television. They were showing it." May peered over at Vanika and Silvanus, making sure they hadn't woken up from the ringing, and laughed. "That lady you were fighting was ugly."
She bit her lip when he snickered. "She was a mean one, too." Ash remarked, "Misty is worse though."
May smiled sadly, pulling on her hair gently. "Misty isn't so bad, she just worries too much." she said. There was a snort from Silvanus, showing that he was starting to wake up. She lowered her voice. "I miss you."
- - -
"I miss you." Ash sat, his back against the headboard. Twisting the phone cord, he closed his eyes, frowning.
"I miss you too, May." He would have smiled, had he not felt so bad.
"When are you going to be able to get out of there?" May asked. Ash paused, running over the schedule Gwen had given him in his mind, and shook his head.
"I hope it'll only be a few more days until I can. There are a lot more things I need to do before I'm free to go, a lot of unexpected things." He heard May sigh, disappointment evident in the sound. "I'm trying to get out of as many of them as I can, because I rather be with you."
"Like what type of things?"
"Well…tonight there was a ball to celebrate the end of the tournament. I went after someone convinced me that running off tonight wasn't the brightest of ideas, and I just got back to the hotel after tolerating being harassed by so many people that I lost count and then puking up my guts." Ash shook his head. "None of this is at all what I wanted or am interesting in. I'm getting all antsy just sitting here."
She didn't like the sound of the descriptions he was giving of the ball. "And the interview?" May asked. His eyes widened.
"Where did you hear about that?… but no, we haven't had that yet. I think that is planned for tomorrow though," Ash replied, one-handedly pulling his jacket off and flinging it over to the other bed. He heard nothing but silence from the phone, then a sudden intake of breath.
"He's up." The statement was barely audible, and Ash had to listen closely to understand. "Hang on…"
There was the sound of the phone on the other end being set down, then total silence again. He twisted and untwisted the phone cord, waiting, until May finally returned several minutes later. "Silvanus?" he asked, not even needing the answer to know.
"Yes. He woke up and I didn't want him to bug me, so I put the phone down and acted as if I was asleep," she said. Ash laughed, putting a hand over the receiver to block it; he was sure that an act such as that wouldn't fool the clever creature.
"How about I call you later, when you aren't having to hide away from Vanika and Silvanus?" Ash had a feeling that had it not been nighttime, May would have yelled at him; under the circumstances though, she stayed quiet.
"Okay…You'll make sure to call tomorrow after your meeting thing?" He smiled.
"Of course, since I actually have time to sit and dial a number and not have to hang up immediately!" Ash replied, "Good night, May."
"…good night. I love you!" He waited until the line went dead before hanging up. Ash scooted down so that he was laid flat, rolling onto his side. The sick feeling that had lingered for most of the day was gone, leaving in its place warmth.
The thought of the interview that was to come couldn't even bring it back.
- - -
"Don't let the lights bother you. Just keep your focus off of them, and you won't go blind." Ash shrugged, neither smiling nor frowning. He could hear the chattering of the people in attendance, and the clicks and clacks of the various cameras situated about. Gwen discreetly patted him on the knee, trying to be reassuring as the room went still when the taping started.
Then the volume rose again. Many of them were cutting each other off, trying to get in their say and their questions before the others could, and only managing to make total chaos and confusion on all ends. Gwen stood, putting her arms up to motion for silence.
"Quiet down now! One at a time, that is no way to get things done! We have someone here to choose people for a reason." she said loudly, as the room stilled once more and went quiet, "Thank you."
Most of them rose their hands, frantic to get called on. Ash closed his eyes, taking a deep breath as a name was called out, and the person in question rose. "Yesterday you mentioned that you were not going to attend the ball, but yet you did anyway. What was the reason you originally denied the idea of going?"
Ash blinked. He wondered why people kept hounding him about whether or not he had went, and what the importance of it was. "As I have had to state several times already," he answered, making sure it was clear from his voice that the question alone was annoying him, "I didn't want to go."
"If that was the case, why go?" another one of them piped up, not waiting to be chosen. Both Gwen and Ash rolled their eyes; both knew it was not likely a subject they would drop any time soon.
"Because I decided it wouldn't kill me attending for a few hours." There was murmuring in the crowd as they jotted down the answers. Gwen shook her head, looking at him sympathetically.
"During the battle, you mentioned that you couldn't lose because of something. What was that about?" Ash's eyes widened; he shifted uncomfortably, giving his new friend a look that clearly defined in no uncertain terms that the answer was one he didn't want to give. Gwen smiled.
"That is one question that is to be unanswered," she said, saving him the trouble of struggling with it. Many of the reporters groaned, displeased with the course the interview was taking.
"Have you a Special Someone?" Frantically, Ash looked back at Gwen, who frowned uneasily, then back toward the horde. If he actually gave the truthful answer…
"I refuse to answer that." Biting his lip, he waited for someone to complain about his reply. Instead, more questions about it came up; he sighed. He could never win with them.
"Does that mean you might? And also, that you might not?" Ash could already feel that he was blushing, and the look on Gwen's face told him that it was a bad idea to keep looking straight ahead like he was. Tilting his head down slightly, he shook his head.
"I said I refuse to answer." Never before had he been put under so much stress in such a short period of time. Ash scowled.
"What are you hiding?" The room went quiet, even the most obnoxious of the group turning to look at the questioner. He was the only one standing, holding an electronic recorder in his open hand. "You refuse to answer a pretty vague question. A "yes" or "no" would suffice, and it would give no hint as to the identity of the person."
"It would lead to questions of the identity of the person, however," Gwen cut in, her eyes showing that she was faintly peeved. The man smirked.
"Hardly a problem for someone of your wit to manage to dodge, considering you seem to be helping him along with these questions." There were nods of agreement.
"That has no relevance. You typically stick to questions the person will answer, and it is blatantly obvious that Ash will not answer any about that topic. Move on, or this interview will be over," the glaring woman said. She couldn't believe the nerve of people; they thirsted for a story so much so that they were willing to try to dig all aspects of a person's life up to get it, even when they didn't want it.
"What led you to competing in this tournament? Aren't you all the way from Kanto?"
"Yes, I'm from Kanto. I have already competed in the league there, the Orange Islands, Johto, and Hoenn, so this was the next one to try," Ash replied, actually smiling. They had finally dropped the subject! If they stayed to the safer topics, it wouldn't go so bad after all.
- - -
Aw, how cute. Protecting you from being attacked any time you enter town. Silvanus' sarcastic thought just made May slap at him, barely taking her eyes off the television set. "Kanto? Where is that?" she asked, looking to Vanika for the answer.
The silver dragon huffed as the green one replied, It is West of here. Kanto and Nara are connected by a natural bridge. You don't remember it because of how young you were when we crossed over. Vanika's Mind link turned a shade of yellow, as she happily thought about those days.
"Does that mean I was from Kanto, too?" Both Vanika and Silvanus nodded. "Where in Kanto?" They looked at each other. I believe that is a discussion that should wait until later, Silvanus said.
- - -
"I never am going through that again!" Ash crossed his arms across his chest, slumped down in his chair. The interview had gone smoothly after the episode with the man, but he didn't wish to repeat any of it. Having people wanting to pry into things they had no business knowing about was not something he wished to open them to.
"Never say never," Gwen said. They sat in her office again, that time with Brock and Misty sitting with them. She understood the young man's frustration, but knew it could prove fatal if he let it get to him at the wrong time and at the wrong place. "You will most likely have more like that at some point, but you should be okay for now."
"What needs to be done now?" Misty asked, her own worries showing on her face; it had been a close call when the reporters had started getting curious about the 'Special Someone.' Gwen took out her planner, and scanned over one of the inner pages.
"Well, all that needs to be done is to wait out the crowds, and then you all are free to do as you please. Including-" She smiled at Ash. "-going to wherever your little lover is waiting."
"She knows?" both Gym Leaders asked. He nodded.
"Yeah, I told her all about it," Ash replied, waving a hand. He turned when he felt the middle-aged woman's scrutinizing gaze set on him, and he looked at her innocently. "I'm not planning anything."
"Oh?" She just gave them another sly smile, and bent down low over her desk. "Kid, I only met you yesterday, but I can already tell you are the type that will do anything to get where you have to be. That promise is important to you, isn't it?"
Ash hesitated, glancing from one person to the next, before nodding slowly. Gwen leaned back in her chair, tapping on her chin with one long fingernail thoughtfully as she regarded them. "What promise?" the red-haired girl asked, looking between Gwen and Ash curiously.
"It's nothing." He noted the suspicious look on her face, but only stood and stepped around the desk so that he could peer out of the windows, at the bustling street below. "What about it though?"
Gwen laughed. "Instead of just letting you run off and get yourself hurt, how's this for a plan? I help you get to the next city over, and steer you off there? That way you most likely will have an easier path to run, since not so many people will be lingering around there." she suggested, "Consider it?"
"I don't have to." Ash turned, sitting lightly on the windowsill, and gave her a grin that spoke volumes; there was no doubt as to what he thought. Gwen nodded, and looked to Brock and Misty.
"How about with you two? Would you be coming along?" Gwen asked. They glanced at each other.
"Well, by the sounds of things, this means we are going straight back to Wicker City," Brock said. Misty agreed.
"Though for how long…" she remarked, "I'm in though."
- - -
Gwen quietly looked around, waving to hurry the three young adults along as they loaded their stuff into the car's trunk. It was late at night, with a lot of the city asleep. It was also the perfect time for them to sneak out.
Crowding into the back of the vehicle, they were off, driving through the empty streets. "How did you get this to work out without getting asked questions?" Ash asked, getting a smile from the serene woman.
"I just said we were going to take a nighttime drive, and that we'd be back before morning." she said, shrugging indifferently. Gwen slumped down in her seat, pulling her jacket tighter around her, and closed her eyes. "I must tell you, it is important that you listen to what I say next very closely."
Brock, Misty, and Ash all looked at her, as the ex-Master reopened her eyes. She was serious. "When I drop you off in the next town, you will have to try to stay out of towns and cities as much as possible. In fact, I suggest not even nearing them if it is avoidable. If it comes down to having no choice in the matter on whether or not to, you need to be as discreet about it as possible, and not draw attention to yourselves."
"Because then it'll be the same as back there?" Misty remarked, as the elder woman nodded.
"Now, let me explain something to all of you, just so you know you have an extra option. You do know how each continent has their own Pokemon League?" The trio nodded, wondering where she was taking the speech. "Each one has their own Champions, each one their own Pokemon Master; neither overpowers the other, all of them work together. For the most part, even if you are considered a celebrity here for having that title, does not mean you will in the others. Quite contrary, in fact…"
Gwen smiled, pausing to peer around at her audience. She wondered whether or not it would sink in what her words would mean to them. "…they most likely wouldn't even know you are, except for those that have careers working in their respective leagues."
She waited for one of them to point out what exactly her point was, patiently tapping her foot against the back of the seat. "We could go into Kanto, and it would be like nothing was different," Brock said, as Gwen clapped once.
"Exactly. It would save you the hassle of hiding, and it would keep you all safe. With that title, it isn't exactly like you really need to do anything," Gwen continued, turning to Ash, "so it isn't like you'd have to run back and forth between the two regions all that often."
He shook his head. "No," Ash said slowly, thinking over the implications of returning to the safety of his home in Kanto, "I can't do that. Not yet, anyway."
"Because of Silvanus and Vanika?" Brock asked, leaning forward to look across the two women. Ash tilted his hand a bit, in the 'so-so' gesture.
"Kinda. There is also the problem that May might not be so inclined to go from Nara to Kanto, and if that's the case…well, I'm certainly not forcing her, so I'm most likely going to stay here instead." He frowned slightly; he was more then happy to be leaving for Wicker City, but the thought of the possibilities of problems that could arise was a stern reminder that not everything was perfect. Yet.
"You'll find a way." Gwen winked at him, as the car slowed to a stop, rumbling idly. "Well, here we are. Let's get you lot together."
Getting out, they rounded the car and opened the trunk, once again pulling everything out. Gwen faced the three friends, hugging herself as she just watched them. "Good luck to all of you. I would love to be able to come along, just to meet the lucky girl." Giving them a rueful smile, she started back toward the car, pausing at the door.
"Thank you for everything Gwen." Ash said, "I owe you." She shook her head.
"You don't owe me anything." Putting one foot into the car, she twisted to look in their direction. "Well…actually, just one thing. Don't give up. If I find out you did, I'll come after you personally."
It was Ash's turn to grin, as she climbed in and shut the door. Watching the moving shadow disappear down the road that led to Transia City, they stood in silent contemplation.
