Last Time On TMOM:
Seconds at breakfast, dressing up, a tomboy princess, strange insult-tossing pokemon, and a curse.
Quote: "You would pick the cursed outfit."
Chapter Five: Competition
They can never win
But they sure can try
Ooooh, I'm unbeatable.
-David Kos Rolfe
It was hard to miss how everyone was looking at him. It was definitely significantly more gawking than before. Ash pulled his hat down lower over his eyes, hoping to trick himself with the old mantra that if he couldn't see them, they couldn't see him. The walk to the battle stadium was far longer than he remembered it being. If not for Pikachu's grumbling complaints distracting him, Ash might have been truly miserable.
Pikachu couldn't walk straight with the booties on his feet. And the jester hat kept falling into his eyes. Ash had to carry his companion on his shoulder or Pikachu would surely have fallen down a step or walked into a wall. And his obvious fury at being forced to wear the costume only made Ash's smile broader.
"You know if you were in your pokeball you wouldn't have to wear a costume," Ash said aloud, trying to ignore a few trainers who had pulled out their pokedexes to snap a picture of the passing boy.
"This isn't historically accurate," Pikachu spat through a mouthful of boot. He hadn't been able to pry the footwear off, resorting to just sort of pitifully gumming one foot. "Lucario didn't wear some ridiculous outfit."
Pikachu had gestured up at the overhanging tapestry of a Knight and his Lucario. And Ash made the mistake of glancing up just before ducking through the doorway. Suddenly Ash saw what everyone else in the castle had been seeing. Ash stopped dead, gawking up at what could have been a reflection. There was only one man with a Lucario that would be featured so prominently throughout Cameron.
"Hey," Pikachu released his own foot. "You look just like that Sir… Air guy. I wonder if that's what the princess meant about cursed."
"Shit."
"Language, Pikapi!"
Ash looked down at his chosen outfit and then back up at the woven portraiture. The color, the fabric, the hat, even the gloves! His cheeks felt like they were on fire.
"I gotta change," Ash grumbled, turning back up the stairs. Pikachu quickly grabbed his ear, painfully steering him back around.
"No time, Pikapi! You have to go to the opening ceremony!"
"Pikachu! OW! Let go!" He swat at his pokemon. "I can't go out like this."
"You can and you will," Pikachu snapped. "If I have to go out like a poor man's clown, you can stand looking like Sir what's his face."
It probably wasn't Pikachu's words that called him back. That he couldn't understand a word the pokemon said aside, Pikachu's words wouldn't have been enough to convince Ash to walk into a stadium dressed like the hero he wasn't. It was bad enough that he was breaking his probation by entering this competition. But entering while dressed like the reincarnation of the kingdom's greatest savior, that was surely the kind of bold-faced hubris Ash didn't want to play around with.
Ash wasn't exactly sure what it was that kept him from running back up the way he had come. While flailing around with Pikachu, he made momentary eye contact with Sir Aaron's eyes of thread and felt an odd sense of rightness. A weird tingly feeling that said he was supposed to wear this. That he needed to… for something to happen.
And then something did happen. Someone ran into him.
Ash was knocked completely off his feet. Pikachu tumbled safely onto the nearby floor runner. Ash, on the other hand, landed hard on his knees, looking up just as the person who had run into him marched smartly passed. It had to be another competitor, dressed as they were in a full suit of armor.
"Hey! That hurt!" Ash shouted.
The man in the armor didn't even turn around. "Then watch where you're going, little mouse."
Ash watched from his fallen position as the man disappeared down the corridor. Disgust still on his face even as he climbed back to his feet.
"Little mouse?" Ash spat. He bent down, helping Pikachu back onto his shoulder. The little electric pokemon didn't share his irritation however.
"Don't look at me. I'm obviously a jester," He chirped.
"Who the hell even wears a full suit of armor into a pokemon competition? You'd have to be dying in there. Not to mention, did you see his helm? The eye slot wasn't nearly large enough. It would obscure his vision for sure," Ash huffed, brushing the hair from his eyes as he stomped his way down the remainder of corridor. "What an idiot."
"Looks badass though," Pikachu offered unhelpfully.
Ash eventually came out of the corridor into an open hall full of other pokemon trainers. They were standing idly against the wall in single file, dressed in a colorful assortment of gowns, tunics and chain mail, and thankfully didn't spare Ash a second glance. All were too busy counting their pokeballs, nervously chatting with one another, or biting their own nails. All save for one; the armored fiend from earlier who's narrow eye slit was pointed directly in Ash's direction.
Ash ignored him and tried to line up opposite of the man. But once he headed too far towards the end (beginning?) of the line, one of the attendants leapt out to stop him.
"No, no," the smartly dressed man in an emblazoned purple tunic said as he intercepted Ash. "All competitors need to line up according to the time of their data entry, Mister…"
He trailed off, finally looking down at the fifteen year old in front of him. His eyes widened first and then he gave a frightened little yelp, leaping back from Ash as if the boy had just grew a second head. And now everyone was looking at them. Ash glared impatiently as the man rushed to compose himself.
"I know, I know. I look like Sir Aaron," Ash whirled about on the spot, catching a bunch of guilty eyes quickly looking away. He threw out his arms in exasperation. "Go ahead and gawk now, okay. I don't need a handicap to beat every single one of you!"
The guilty looks had quickly turned to those of contempt. Pikachu sighed from his master's shoulder, "Great, Pikapi. You do remember that I'm the one who has to fight their pokemon. Make things harder for me, why don't you?"
The attendant cleared his throat. "Ahem. What's your name, pokemon trainer?"
"Ash. Ash Ketchum," Ash answered grumpily.
"Sir Ketchum…"
"Ash will be fine."
"Sir Ash," The man was making a face that Ash didn't appreciate. Probably thinking about how it was way too similar to Aaron yet again. But mercifully, the man didn't comment on it. He unfurled a bit of showy gold trimmed parchment, eying the names scrawled upon it. Unrolling the scroll to its near end, the attendant found the name he was looking for.
"You're our last entry, Sir Ash."
"Great," Ash muttered under his breath.
"That means you will be at the end of the line… and the first to fight."
Ash let the attendant push him gently back in the direction he had come. And much to the boy's dismay, lead him to his place in line right behind the armored man from before.
The attendant beamed, as if genuinely happy for completing the simple task of showing Ash his place in line. Ash couldn't help the sour look he gave in return.
"You will enter the coliseum when you are announced. Then you will file up in order behind the other competitors for the King and Princess' royal blessing. After the blessing, follow the other competitors into the competitors' observatory, the um… front row of the ring, quite easy to spot- until your name is called for battle. Good luck, Sir Ash." The man suddenly saluted with a grand flourish before placing his hand back over his heart. "The wave is with me."
Ash stared back at the man in bewilderment, before noticing that the trainers around had all mimicked the action themselves. Far too delayed, Ash also placed his hand awkwardly over his heart. "R-right. Wave something something."
"And also with me," came the echoed reply from the man in armor.
Ash sent him a swift glare but the man was undeterred. Instead he clapped the breast of his own armor plate and repeated more forcefully, "And also with me."
"And also with me," said Ash at last.
Seemingly satisfied, the attendant excused himself with one last bow returning to his place towards the front entrance of the coliseum. At his exit, Ash went back to glaring at the armored creep on his right.
"Thanks," he said begrudgingly. "You're still a jerk."
"And you're still a little mouse."
Trumpets sounded from somewhere ahead, interrupting any sort of comeback Ash might have had. The line of pokemon trainers made their jerky anxious way forward. The armored guy threw his hand back in a casual backhand wave before following, "See you in the ring, little mouse."
"I'm not a mouse! You're the mouse!" Ash fumed after him. "You're the mouse and I'm gonna squish you… like a mouse!"
"Good one," Pikachu sighed from his shoulder.
Ash didn't need to speak pikachu to catch the sarcasm. "Shut up, Pikachu."
He had to jog to catch up with the participants as they were called out onto the field. Each one's exit preceded with loud adulation from the crowd. Ash was still so distracted by the armored guy's comments that he missed the man's name when it was called. Even after Ash made the mental note to listen for it. He was still mentally kicking himself as his own name was cried out.
"Sir Ash Ketchum from Pallet Town."
Ash bolted to attention, looking helplessly around him for some direction. The attendant from before was nodding him on.
"Do I just…"
"Go!" The man hissed pushing Ash forward.
Ash stumbled, nearly knocking Pikachu from his perch. He fell into the sunlight, taking only a second to straighten his hat before continuing the rest of the way to the field. His heart was hammering against his ribs and he couldn't hear anything beyond his own harried breath. But Ash could feel the stares that bore into him from the stadium seats above.
Ash marched stiffly to his place, trying to avoid eye contact with everyone. Once he had taken his spot beside the armored knight, the roar in his ears started to subside. And in its place stood an odd uncomfortable silence.
Ash closed his eyes tight. "Please, please, don't be looking at me," Ash whispered under his breath.
He never did find out if they were. Because at the moment he dared to peek, the trumpets had sounded again. Ash started, and he wasn't alone. The assembled pokemon trainers, all jittery and anxious for the coming fight, collectively jumped at the blaring sound that cut through the silence.
"Presenting his royal majesty, the illustrious ruler of Cameron Palace, King Roman and his beloved daughter, the yellow rose of Cameron, Crown Princess Aileen!" Came the shout from the royal crier, that Ash was shocked to see held no microphone nor amplifier. His voice was loud and booming, and carried well through the amphitheater even full as it was.
Even more surprising was the sight of the royal family entering into the viewing box that Lady Sonia had pointed out yesterday evening. Roman looked much as he had before save for an extra sheen to his bald head and a magnificent crown cresting his brow. He also sported a luscious looking red cape that he hadn't before. He beamed and waved jovially out to the crowd, looking a bit unworthy for such finery. His smile was too broad and his waves far from dignified.
But Aileen. Ash didn't even recognize the woman who had glided up on the King's left hand side. For one, her hair was no longer in the messy short pigtails. Instead she had a curtain of silky golden curls cascading from neath a simple silver crown. Her face had been painted expertly to bring out the vivid color of her green eyes. Wearing a high waisted lilac gown, Aileen had somehow transformed into the princess she was supposed to be in less than an hour.
Ash might have continued to doubt that the tomboy from before and the woman presiding over the crowd were the same person if her eyes hadn't sought him out. She smiled at him and gave him a playful wink. Ash's cheeks flushed. He quickly busied himself with readjusting his cape.
King Roman raised his hand for silence. It was a very kingly gesture and was rewarded in kind. "We are all gathered here again today," Roman began. "For our annual pokemon competition meant to honor the great hero, Sir Aaron, who sacrificed his life hundreds of years ago to save our beloved Kingdom. Let us present a fierce competition of which the hero himself would have wanted to join in."
"May our pokemon trainers today, do his memory proud by bringing their best to the battlefield," Aileen continued. Both King and daughter made the same strange salute the attendant had done, before settling their hands above their hearts. The audience and pokemon trainers all hastily followed suit; Ash included.
"The wave is with me," Aileen cried.
"And also with me," chimed the assembled crowd in a quiet rumble. Ash only half heartedly repeated, feeling quite silly. What in the world was the wave? Like water? Was Cameron a water pokemon region like Cerulean?
"This wave cult stuff is really starting to creep me out," mumbled Pikachu, finally spitting out the offending extracted bootie. It fell unnoticed to the ground in front of them.
"Let the pokemon competition begin!"
It had been several months since Ash had stood within the chalked in boundaries of a pokemon battlefield. Even longer since he had an audience this large watching his every move. Certainly not since the Johto league, so two years at least. All the work he had been doing since then in the minor leagues was devoted to training and exploring new regions. Though his eventual goal was to take on the Indigo Plateau for the penultimate title of Pokemon Master and Indigo League Champion, he didn't relish in moments like this. They were the most frightening aspects of being a trainer. Your mistakes and failures being on full display for an large audience. Ash had already experienced a painful loss in front of hundreds before, and everytime he stepped out into tournaments like this, he re-experienced it.
Ash walked back onto the field feeling eyes boring down on him. The other trainer, dressed in a standard talbard of cream and white, had gotten a smattering of applause upon crossing the field. Ash, however, had gotten nothing but hissed whispers. He tried not to take it personally.
It's just the stupid costume, Ash told himself. Nothing else. They don't know about Will.
There was nothing similar between his current opponent and the boy whose ashes he had left in a burning pit. This opponent was stocky with a bit of of a goate forming on his chin. He had to be several years senior than Ash himself. But still, there was a flash where Ash was back there. He could see William clear as day, all smiles, flushed; eyes bright and excited for the coming fight. Ash couldn't let himself feel the same excitement he used to. That was a different life and those feelings were dead now. Just like William.
His hands were shaking too badly for him to grab a pokeball. It took a gentle touch from Pikachu to bring him back. The casual brush to his cheek and the yellow pokemon counting out breaths for Ash's benefit.
Ash followed the pokemon's lead, evening out his breaths and slowing the alarmingly quick beat of his heart. He chased Will away from his mind. Instead he focused in on the movements of his trainer; watching silently as the man tossed out a Breloom as his first and only pokemon.
Each fight was to be a one on one match. However, Ash could switch between pokemon between matches, should he wish. This was mostly intended to keep pokemon fresh between battles and leave an element of strategy for the trainers. Usually Ash would have stuck with Pikachu through every round. Pikachu was a powerhouse and unless specifically matched against a rock type, he could handle anything that was thrown at him.
But Breloom was a grass type, as evidenced by the green tint to its skin and fungal growth on its head. Normally that wouldn't be an issue but Ash didn't want to wear his star pokemon down in their first match. They needed to last until the finales. There would be no Nurse Joy to heal his pokemon during the breaks.
So if not Pikachu. Then…
Ash hesitated his hand over the obvious choice. Fire beats grass. It was an easy choice and his pokemon would make quick work of Breloom. But Ash couldn't bare to touch its pokeball. His mouth had gone dry and the tremor was back. Before he could bear to force his hand down, Ash quickly, and with some desperation, snatched up the pokeball next to it.
"Pidgeot, go!"
If Ash thought the reaction from the crowd before had been unnerving, that was nothing compared to now. The instant Pidgeot had launched itself out of the red light, a collective gasp went out among the audience. Many audience goers fell from their seats or leapt to their feet. Even the King was on his feet, staring down at Ash with some surprise. Only Princess Aileen seemed unmoved.
She was still leaning against the armrest, cheek on her hand. Still seated in the shorter throne, Princess Aileen was idly watching. When Ash's eyes met her own, she gave him a coy smile- as if she alone foresaw this choice.
"What? What?" Ash cried out, as alarmed by their reaction as they had been by his pokemon.
"The sky is much too blue. It is clearly a poor day to battle, master," kreened the bird pokemon with a flap of its giant wings. "The assembled humans must sense this too."
"It must be another Sir Air thing," said Pikachu, ignoring Pidgeot.
Ash quickly scoured his memory for anything of the old childhood fairytale he could remember. Some sort of hint to explain their overblown reaction. His eyes fell upon Pidgeot before slowly moving back up to the face of his opponent; who looked almost as confused about the audience's reaction as Ash was. Almost.
It was clearly Pidgeot then. Hadn't Sonia reacted to Pidgeot as well?
"Did Sir Aaron have a Pidgeot?" Ash called out to the opposing trainer.
The other trainer shrugged. He must have been from outside of Cameron like Ash was. Like most of the pokemon trainers probably were.
Pidgeot ruffled his feathers haughtily. Having heard the fuss made over his entrance and the subsequent explanation for it, he seemed to take it upon himself to live up to the outcry.
"If I am to be assumed a great hero's pokemon, master," Pidgeot let out a fierce cry. "Then I shall not disappoint!"
"A-an interesting choice for Sir Ash, pitting a Pidgeot against Breloom. It will be uphill battle for Pidgeot to deal with the painful type disadvantage," the crier before shouted out for the benefit of the shell shocked crowd.
"Type disadvantage?" Ash repeated dully.
"Breloom is a grass fighting pokemon," his opponent called back with a mean smile. "Thanks for giving this battle to me. I'll be sure to mention you in my victory speech."
"Don't count my pokemon out so fast." The retort came as natural as breathing. Ash didn't even have time to feel guilty for enjoying the banter. The battle was on.
Ash swung out his arm, commanding his pokemon to the skies before Breloom could strike him down with high kick. The Breloom struck nothing but dirt. Pidgeot, now with the upward advantage, twisted about in the air and latched its talons tight about the Breloom's shoulders. With two swift flaps of its wings, Pidgeot had lifted the pokemon cruelly into the sky.
A pokemon battle; this was the one thing Ash excelled at. How could he have forgotten?
"Pidgeot, body slam!"
Several yards above the ground, Pidgeot released the squirming pokemon from his iron clad grip. To his opponent's credit, he wasn't content to just let his pokemon fall. He shouted up an order of razor leaf which Pidgeot unfortunately took on directly. Dropping through the sharp leaves, Pidgeot swung about and slammed hard into the falling pokemon- launching it towards the ground at even more neck breaking speed.
Breloom hit the ground in a puff of dirt and flying leaves. Ash pumped the air with his fist. It worked far better than he thought it would. Even out of practice, his pokemon were still exceptionally strong.
But then, for one heart stopping minute, nothing moved. In a half second, his moment of victory had chilled. Ash found himself holding his breath. When at last the cloud had parted, Breloom was there; unconscious but, thankfully, breathing.
Ash sagged with relief. The match was called in his favor and a happy roar rose up from the crowd. He had won his first battle since William. And no one had died. The blue skies could never have been more beautiful.
Feeling lightheaded, Ash almost forgot to return Pidgeot. The large bird had touched down on the sidelines, preening with satisfaction and the overflowing adulation from the audience. As he returned his pokemon, Ash could hear shouts of his name alongside those of Sir Aaron, a sound that set uneasily with him.
"His name is Pikapi," Pikachu shouted back unhelpfully when he overheard the misspoken name.
Ash wandered off the field to make way for the next combatants, feeling a little less terrified but somehow more guilty than ever. He didn't pay attention to any of the other combatants who had offered congratulations, keeping his hat brim low and trying to rush to a corner where no one would notice him. Pikachu had a hard time keeping pace with Ash's longer strides, even with the booties discarded. He sprinted to keep up with this trainer, leaping up the boy's back and collapsing on his shoulder perch with a huff.
"You could have waited," Pikachu grumbled.
Ash said nothing, not even bothering to pretend that he understood Pikachu. He found a seat pressed awkwardly behind a pillar where no one bothered to sit. He could just see the match if he craned his head far to the side and no one would pester him here. Pikachu settled down comfortably on the bench beside him. But instead of watching the match, Ash put his head between his knees.
"Ugh, I feel like I'm going to throw up," Ash whispered, holding his head and twisting what hair peeked out from beneath his broad hat. "I enjoyed it. I'm not supposed to enjoy it."
Pikachu stared down at his trainer sadly. The pokemon gently pawed at the boy's leg until Ash noticed him. Then, without a word, Pikachu laid his head on the boy's thigh. Ash scratched his pokemon behind the ears, holding back tears.
"Am I bad person, Pikachu?" Ash choked out.
Pikachu closed his eyes and cooed softly, soothing his grieving trainer. They stayed like that for awhile, boy and his pokemon. Ash continued to run his hands over Pikachu's soft fur, shutting away the world around him. And just how Pikachu had taught him, Ash continued to count his breaths. One, two. Push William away. Three, four. Not now. Five, six. Breathing now. Seven, Eight. Dealing later.
And Ash was lurched out of his counting by a sudden overly friendly arm draped over his shoulders.
"Not bad, twerp," came a soft sensuous reply. "Little sloppy but you pulled it off."
Ash quickly shrugged off Jessie's embrace, rubbing ferociously at the ear she had whispered into. He shuddered as he whirled about to face the offending trio who had taken up post on the bench behind him.
"Don't touch me!" Ash snarled.
Usually Pikachu would have snapped to attention as well. But today, Pikachu just wasn't feeling it. They were on a truce and Pikachu knew even if they broke it; it was Team Rocket that would regret it. So Pikachu didn't bother with the indignation his master had shown and simple shot the trio a mild glare.
Besides it was hard to stay angry at the colorful and messy menagerie that had assembled behind them.
Jessie was dressed in a style that was more victorian in style than medieval. With an obnoxiously high ruffled collar, puffy sleeves and cinched in waist, Jessie looked ready to jump down the rabbit hole with Alice and not look out of place in Wonderland. The hat alone, that was at least twice the size of her head and overloaded with an insane amount of fake flora, screamed too much.
James was far more subtle, choosing just a gentleman's coat and ruffled blouse. His red was a strange offset to Jessie's blue. Ash had the passing thought that perhaps they had planned it that way before chasing the thought away.
"No need to be rude, twerp. I was giving you a compliment," Jessie pouted, poking him in the gut with the point of her folded umbrella. Ash didn't know what is for (other than annoying him) and he didn't bother to ask.
"What are you doing here?" Ash grumbled, swatting the umbrella away.
"Really!"
"We were just watching your match," James hastily interrupted. "And… we're here to prove that we aren't up to anything. As promised."
Jessie gave James an exasperated look before popping him over the head with her umbrella. Meowth clanked his way up onto the bench, dressed in a full suit of pokemon armor. He gave a small salute to Pikachu who was glowering since the cat's entrance.
"See yah went with da clown costume, Pikachu."
"Jester."
"Same difference."
"What are you supposed to be? A tin can?"
"Jealous?"
"Pretty sure what you're wearing is conductive, Meowth."
Ash stepped in between the one-sided conversation just as Pikachu's cheeks began to spark. With one hand, Ash told Pikachu to stand down. And Pikachu did so, somewhat reluctantly. Meowth tried to hide his relief by not shuffling off too quickly.
"Honest, Ash," James began again, "We are just here to show our support."
"Speak for yourself, James. I'm here to root for your opponents," Jessie shot Ash a simpering smile, knowingly tapping the ground with the umbrella. "Like that one," She pointed behind Ash, and the boy turned just in time to watch as a weavile flipped through the air and managed to land on top of a Tropius in mid flight.
Ash slowly wandered around the pillar that had been in his way before, watching in wonder as the smaller pokemon dashed up the sauropod-like monster. It expertly scissored between Tropius' leafy wings before back flipping off its head and shooting an ice ball right between Tropius' eyes. Blinded, the larger pokemon's hyper beam went wide, nearly striking the audience. Ash, like many of the other audience goers, ducked as the beam sliced into the pillar next to him; leaving a sizable divet.
Weavile landed flawlessly not even turning around to watch as the spent Tropius collapsed to the ground behind him. Ash's eyes moved from the scarlet crowned pokemon to the armored knight in the opposite box. His eyes narrowed.
"That knight is soooo much better than you," Jessie crowed, slapping the younger boy on the shoulder.
"It's one pokemon," Ash muttered. "Pikachu can handle it."
"You better hope so. Be kind embarrassing to lose after all the effort you went to enter this thing. What with you being on pr-"
Ash had turned in alarm with the intent to shush the blabbermouth. But thankfully, James was there before him. The Team Rocket member was probably used to Jessie saying one thing too many and was at the ready to discreetly stuff a ready hot sweet roll into her mouth. She might have been indignant, but food was hard to argue around. Her anger quickly changed to that of delight as she chowed down on the baked treat.
James handed the remaining roll to Ash, "Hungry? Can't imagine the vendor delivers to the competitor row often."
Ash looked suspiciously down at the offered sweet roll, dripping of icing. James rolled his eyes and shoved it into the younger boy's hands. "Just take it."
"You do something to it?"
"Really?"
"Drop it on the ground?"
"Honestly, Ash. It's a sweet roll. If you don't want it, give it back."
Ash sat back down on a bench and took a large bite. Seemingly satisfied, he tore off a piece for Pikachu. He ignored the smile on the Team Rocket member's face.
"You're welcome," James said.
"I'm gonna win," Ash said through a mouthful of sweet roll. "Watch."
"Never doubted you," James chuckled, turning his head just enough to catch sight of Meowth glaring at him. "What?"
"Didja just give da twerp my sweet roll?"
Ash took another large bite and gave the talking pokemon a sideways smile. What was worse was that he did this in perfect sync with his Pikachu. Pikachu's grin was only a hundred times more unbearable.
"I'm sorry, Meowth, I-I'll get you a new one-"
Meowth held up his hand, "Just… Ugh. I cannah even look at ya right now."
And as James rushed off to fix his error, Ash finished off the sweet roll. He licked his fingers while staring wonderingly after the Team Rocket member. If he didn't know any better, Ash might have thought that James was trying to be nice to them.
And Ash couldn't imagine what sort of elaborate trap required the nice act. Was he just hoping to lull Ash into false sense of security? Because he'd be damned if it fooled him.
"So not buying this nice guy act," Ash said aloud.
Meowth slunk off the bench, perhaps in his own quest to find a sweet roll. "Me neither," he huffed as he went.
Ash re-entered the tournament with renewed enthusiasm. Though he still patently avoided Charizard's pokeball, he hesitated no longer in putting in his all. He pushed his pokemon with the energy and spirit they had grown used to over the years. But victories were not the same.
When Squirtle had defeated the opposing Magmar, he had expected Ash to celebrate as always. Either by embracing his winning pokemon or joining in a victory dance. Each pokemon had their own preference. Squirtle usually liked to play it cool, especially in a battle that was easily won. A simple high five was all he expected. But when he turned to clap hands with that of Ash, the trainer was looking elsewhere.
His eyes were narrowed and focused on one of the trainers in the competitor's row, a man in full armor. And Ash returned the disgruntled Squirtle without so much as a smile. Captured in the red light, the pokemon disappeared with its hand still outstretched.
Each of Ash's pokemon faced a similar cold treatment. The victory were hollow and expected things. And he marched off the field almost as soon as the match was called, leaving Pikachu to run after him.
Pikachu might have said something, if he didn't know why Ash was acting this way. Hoping to just keep Ash in the fighting mood, he kept quiet and tolerated the coldness. It will pass, Pikachu kept telling himself. It will pass and things will go back to normal.
Ash and his pokemon almost effortlessly climbed the ranks. As did the armored titan and his weaviles. He used no other pokemon, but Ash did notice that he seemed to be cycling between two weaviles; one female and one male. In the breaks, Ash researched the pokemon on his poke'dexter and watched the man fight. Ash had a plan well formed long before he was finally due to face him.
This time, when Ash jogged onto the field and into the trainer box, his anxieties were long gone. He was already ready to fight before he was announced, as was Pikachu who was waiting to spring off his waiting arm. They just needed the signal.
"We are now down to the final two, ladies and gentlemen! The winner of this battle will earn the title of Cameron Hero! In the green box, we have the crowd favorite, Sir Ash!"
Ash politely raised his hand for the crowd that roared back in response. His gaze moved through the crowd, spotting the King's eager expectation, the Princess' meaningful smile and much to Ash's own surprise- Ash saw James. The man was sitting alone, watching with a concerned look on his face. James didn't see Ash looking and Ash quickly looked away before he could. The sight of the man there made him uneasy, especially watching with such interest… Though perhaps he should have been more alarmed about the absence of his teammates.
"In the red box, we have the mysterious stranger!"
The crowd roared appropriately and Ash returned his focus to his opponent. He knew by this point that the man had entered under no name. But that made little difference. Name or not, he wouldn't be able to beat Pikachu.
"May both our competitors give their best! At your mark!"
"I've been looking forward to this, little mouse," The armored man called.
"And that's the last time you'll be calling me a mouse," Ash snapped back. "Pikachu g-"
Ash had swung back his arm, with the full intent to help launch his pokemon into the ring. But when he did so, one of his pokeballs activated. In a splash of red light, a giant dragon formed in front of him. The freed monster let out a mighty roar that stole the color from Ash's face and nearly all the strength from his legs.
"No," Ash gasped out in quiet horror.
"Sir Ash has chosen Charizard as his pokemon fighter for the final match. Clearly saving the best for last!"
The crowd cheered riotously in response. Ash could only stare blankly at the pokemon that had forced its way on the battlefield. And if his opponent found Ash's behavior strange, he didn't let it stop him from unleashing his weavile onto the field.
"Charizard!" Pikachu snapped. "What do you think you're doing? Pikapi didn't call you."
"And he never will. The little one is scared of me."
"That is… um…"
Charizard let out another fierce roar that caused Ash to lurch back. Even the most unobservant audience goer would have seen how Ash shielded himself with his arms, cowering. Pikachu cast his trainer a pitying look.
"He will never trust me," snarled the dragon. "He will keep me in that infernal ball for the rest of my life. And I'll be damned if I let that happen."
"What do you plan to do?"
Flames licked the dragon's snout as it looked back at them. "Win."
And with that, Charizard stomped forward. With two massive sweeps of his wings, the dragon launched himself at his opponent like a bullet launched from the chamber. He would have slammed into the creature with full force if Weavile hadn't skillfully dodged out of the way.
Ash cried out uselessly, issuing no order as Charizard reared back its head to launch a volley of flames upon the smaller pokemon. Again, Weavile dodged. But this time, when it sprung back, it sliced Charizard's face with its talons. Blood sprayed from the dragon's snout unnoticed as it made a sloppy attempt to bite the elusive Weavile.
Ash watched the pokemon toil. He watched his opponent actively giving order after order to keep his own pokemon out of Charizard's merciless jaws. And Ash watched unable to speak or move. He felt as though he had been cemented in place; cringing at every blow Charizard managed to land as if they were being landed on his own person. And under his breath he whispered desperate pleas for weavile to win. Wishing it to spot Charizard's weak point under his wings, hoping it might notice the blind spot it could utilize to avoid the dragon's more lethal blows.
And yet, Ash knew it was all pointless. If Charizard used that move, then no amount of weak points or blind spots would save Weavile or anyone else in this stadium. This was a mistake. This was a big stupid mistake. Why did I think I could do this? The panic was a icy shroud slipping over him and sliding innocuously into his skin. His eyes darted wildly to the crowd of happy flushed faces, seeing William in every single one of them. I shouldn't be here. I need to get out of here.
Ash made to move. He stumbled backwards, nearly stepping out of his trainer box when something grabbed his ankle. A sudden sharp shock went charging up his leg, sending Ash staggering backwards. He fell to his knee, shuddering from the electric attack, meeting the fierce look of his pikachu.
"You need to believe in him, Pikapi,"Pikachu shouted. "Charizard needs his trainer."
"Pikachu, I can't- He's gonna-"
"Stop running away! We need you, Pikapi!"
Ash looked from Pikachu to the enormous dragon on the field. The blood was still running free down his face and now it was nursing a limp where Weavile's shadow ball had struck him. For one fleeting moment, Ash saw not the monster that had summoned the sun to kill. He saw the small Charmander, crying in the rain; abandoned by its trainer and left cold, dying and in pain. Charizard's roared once more but this time, Ash didn't shy away. He could finally hear the pain in its voice. It brought tears to his eyes.
They had both been hurting.
"Charizard!" Ash cried out, his voice slicing across the battlefield like a blade. The dragon whirled about by the sound, meeting the glassy eyes of his trainer. Ash threw his arm to the sky. "Seismic toss!"
Before Weavile could leap away again, Charizard had wrapped both claws about its midsection. It withstood the thrashing and tearing bites as he climbed into the sky. Then, with a beautiful twist, both pokemon somersaulted back into the center of the ring, showering both trainers with earth.
Charizard emerged from the dust cloud immediately, landing neatly before that of Ash's trainer box. But Weavile didn't get back up. The match was called while the opposing pokemon disappeared in a flash of red light.
"Sir Ash Ketchum and Charizard are this year's heroes of Cameron!"
Sound came back in a painful rush as the crowd burst into cheers. And, though he hated to, Ash let himself feel glad about it. He smiled over at his dragon that was trying its best to not look as tired as it actually felt.
It's over. Ash felt like he could finally breathe again.
"Thank you, Charizard," Ash said softly.
"You're welcome, Little one," Charizard grumbled back though Ash wouldn't understand. And he returned to his pokeball with less fear that it would be the last time.
Ash stared down hard at the pokeball. Would he be able to call on Charizard himself next time? Ash couldn't say. His hands were still trembling as he reattached the pokeball. Pikachu had taken up celebrating the victory with a strange Aipom that was swinging the two of them about in circles. The sight brought the smile back to his face.
"Congratulations. That was a terrific battle."
An armored glove was held out to him. Before Ash took it, he looked up in shock at the armored opponent who had since removed his, or rather her, helm. She was a tall tanned beauty with tight crimped curls in her long hair. Her eyes were a startlingly blue that made it difficult for Ash to look anywhere else.
"My beauty strike you speechless, little mouse?" the woman teased.
Ash grudgingly took up her offered hand in a tight shake. "This little mouse beat you with a dragon."
"Right, right. It was very impressive," She said in a way that sounded very much like she was just humoring him. Ash could definitely tell she was the same person that had been under the armor.
"Who are you?"
"My name is Kidd. Nice to meet you." She bowed shortly to him. "It was wonderful to have a chance to battle you, Ash. You are clearly a skilled trainer. I've never seen a pokemon fight so hard for its master before."
Ash cracked a wry smile. "Thanks."
"That your Aipom?"
"Wha- huh?" Ash spun about to see where Kidd was pointing, noting the monkey that was still whirling about with his bewildered Pikachu. "Oh, that Aipom? Nope."
"Interesting."
"Why? Why do you ask?"
"Oh, no reason," Kidd said, switching her helm to her other arm. She gave one last wave to Ash before heading off the field. "See you at the ball."
As the wave of other trainers and audience go-ers rushed on the field to offer congratulations to the tournament winner, Ash was left numb to it all. He was still struck dumb by Kidd's last words. He went through the motions of giving handshakes and high fives, all while decoding the last words in his head.
"What ball?"
To Be Continued…
Please Read and Review!
So this is just the first example of how the story branches from the events of the actual movie. There will be several more instances of this. While the basic events of the story will be the same; characters, motivations and relationships will all be quite different.
Thanks to those who reviewed last chapter! I know this story isn't as popular as my other stories so I greatly appreciate any reviews you guys drop by. Thanks to AshKetchumForever, Shaveza and Spectrelass. Hope to see you all next chapter!
Next time, Ash attends the grand ball meant to honor the Hero of Cameron Castle.
Expect the next update sometime this September/October! Leave a review if you want the next chapter sooner!