Crossroads Chapter 4: The Choice!
Previously on Crossroads, Ash and Gary had a 3v3 battle which ended up being a draw. After the match, Gary began to tell Ash about Scott and his journey through the Battle Frontier.
Professor Oak's Laboratory – Kanto Region
"You mean Scott from the Battle Frontier?!" Asked a startled Ash.
"Yup, that's the one, alright. I met Scott a while back because he wanted me to try the Battle Frontier. Sorry for not telling you sooner, but at the time, it was confidential information," said Gary while sheepishly scratching the back of his head.
"WHAT?! When did this happen?!" Asked Ash frantically.
"Well, one day, when I was working in Sinnoh on a research project that supposedly can evolve Eevee into Glaceon, I ran into Scott just outside of Snowpoint City. Scott said he was looking for the same thing. He needed to get a piece of it to bring home with him. Supposedly, the shard we found is now at the Battle Frontier headquarters being examined," said Gary informatively.
"Alright, alright, Gary, would you get to the story already!?"
"Alright, jeez, cool your head, Ashy-boy. Anyway, while we were looking for the stone, I told Scott about who I was, and the first thing he asked me was if I knew you since I told him I was from Pallet Town," said Gary.
"Really?! What did you say?"
"Well, I said that, of course, I knew you! From there, we talked about how you challenged the Battle Frontier, defeating each member one by one until you came to the last two members. He couldn't tell me about them because of Battle Frontier policy; however, he gushed about your ability to strategize on the fly and that you defeated them after a couple of tries.
Gary continued, "By the time we were done talking, we had already found the stone and were heading back to Snowpoint City. Once we got back to the city, Scott asked me if I would be interested in taking a break from my research and challenging the Battle Frontier once I got back to Kanto."
"No way! Well, did you decide to do it?"
Gary didn't respond. Instead, he reached into his pocket and pulled out what looked like a badge case. He then proceeded to open it, and the contents inside made Ash's mouth drop.
"NO WAY! You already have five of the Frontier Symbols!?"
Ash was not mistaken as the badge case held the Guts, Tactics, Spirit, Knowledge, and Luck Symbols.
"Wow, Gary, I almost can't believe you already have five symbols. However, I guess I shouldn't be that surprised, knowing you."
"Come on, Ashy-boy, I mean, what did you expect? It is me we're talking about after all!" Said Gary with a smirk as he closed and pocketed his Frontier badge case.
"Anyway, it's great you're doing the Battle Frontier, Gary, but why are you telling me now?"
Gary just shook his head and said, "Come on, Ash! Don't you remember the offer they gave to you? Scott told me about how after you beat the secret leader, he asked you if you wanted to become a Frontier Brain, although you declined because you said you could never stay in one place at a time. Well, now I figure would be a perfect time to take Scott up on his offer!" Said Gary hoping to encourage Ash to take to the position.
"I don't know, Gary… I mean, being something like that has just never appealed to me before in my life. Why should I do this now?"
"Why do you think, Ash? This would be a perfect chance for you to become stronger! Getting to learn from the other Frontier Brains about how to conduct yourself, growing up, Ash, isn't that what you want to do?"
Before Ash could respond, Professor Oak came up from behind Gary and said, "Ash, if I may, I think I am going to have to go with my grandson about this. My reasoning is simple; I have watched you grow up from a small child, and I think of you as another grandson to me. It's a chance to experience other aspects of life that will help you become a better person. I feel if you take this position, you will grow up into the man that everyone is waiting for you to become. We all know you have the ability to do so, Ash."
"You think I should do this?" Asked Ash, now looking right at Professor Oak.
"Ash, this could be one of the most important decisions of your life because of where you are as a trainer, and I believe this is the right choice!" Said Professor Oak confidently while keeping the same cheerful smile on his face.
Ash looked from Professor Oak back to Gary, who gave him a thumbs up and said, "Alright, Gary do you have Scott's number? I would like to give him a call,"
"Here, I have his number on my videophone inside. You are more than welcome to talk to him for as long as you like," said Professor Oak. With that, Ash, Gary, and Professor Oak went back inside, so Ash could make his call.
Once they were in Professor Oak's office, Oak gave Ash the number, and he and Gary stepped out of the room so Ash could make the call.
Ash immediately punched in Scott's number, deciding not to waste time. After a few rings, Scott picked up and said, "This is Scott of the Battle Frontier; who may I ask is calling?"
"Hey Scott, it's me, Ash Ketchum!" Said Ash enthusiastically.
"Hey! What's going on, Ash? How has everything been, my friend?" Asked Scott as he was excited to see Ash's face after such a long time.
"Everything has been great! I called because I wanted to ask you something?"
"Ask away, my friend, anything for one of the only people who have ever beaten the Battle Frontier in its history," said Scott with a smile.
"Well, umm…. I was kind of wondering if it was too late to take you up on your offer to become a Frontier Brain. I completely understand if it's too late as I have just been busy going to Sinnoh and participating in the league over there," Ash said while scratching his head.
"Hmm, I don't know, Ash. It has been a while since you beat Brandon, and many good trainers have come through the Battle Frontier since you left," said Scott, rubbing his chin.
"Really, oh… I understand. Well, thank you anyw…."
Scott's laughter cut off Ash. Once he finished laughing, he said, "Ah, come on, Ash! Of course, my offer to join the Battle Frontier is still valid. I was lying when I said that a lot of good trainers have come through recently. Nobody who participated in the Battle Frontier has been as skilled as you. It would be an honor if you would become a Frontier Brain!"
"Wow, really?! Thanks a lot, Scott!" expressed a now excited Ash.
"Well, you are most welcome, kid. Now, to begin your Frontier Brain training, I'll need you to come to the Battle Frontier Headquarters in Vermillion City. If you can get there by 6:00 PM tomorrow, that would be great!"
"You got it, Scott. I'll be there at 6:00 PM on the dot!"
"Excellent! Well then, now with that settled, I'll be seeing you tomorrow, Ash," said Scott as he bid Ash goodbye.
"Alright, see ya, Scott," Ash replied, cutting off the connection with his new potential boss.
Ash got up and exited Professor Oak's office to see Gary and Professor Oak waiting for him outside. Professor Oak then asked, "how did it go, Ash?"
"He said they would be honored to have me join the Battle Frontier and expect me to be in Vermillion City tomorrow at 6:00 PM!" Announced Ash excitedly.
"Alright! Congratulations, Ash!" Said both Gary and Professor Oak.
"Thanks a lot. I appreciate it. If you don't mind, Professor, there is another call I would like to make."
"Not a problem at all, my boy. I'll be in my lab working on a project I have just recently started," said the Professor.
"Here, Gramps, I'll come with you as I want to see what you have been working on as well," said Gary. The pair walked off while discussing Professor Oak's new project. Ash returned to the videophone, dialed another number, and waited for it to answer.
Once the man picked up, he saw Ash and said, "Hey Ash! How has everything been going?"
"Hi, Brock! Everything is going great! I wanted to give you a call because I wanted you to be the first person to know what I'm going to do," said Ash with a smile.
"Oh, and what would that be?" Asked Brock.
"Well… I'm going to try becoming a Frontier Brain!"
"No way?! Really Ash? When did you make this decision?" Asked Brock, now very curious about why Ash chose to become a Frontier Brain.
"Haha, it's kind of a long story, but it started like this…." Ash then told Brock about everything that just happened, from Gary talking to him at the river and calling Scott about the Frontier Brain position.
"That's really about it, so what do you think about my decision Brock?"
"Honestly, Ash, I have been waiting for you to decide this on your own for a long time. From my perspective, everything you just told me seems like things meant to happen to you. As Professor Oak said, becoming a Frontier Brain will help you grow up. When he says that you have the ability within yourself to accomplish great things, he's absolutely right. I have seen you do some incredible things throughout my journeys with you. Now I feel this is the perfect time for you to take the next step in not only your career as a Pokémon Trainer but in your life as well," said Brock wisely as anybody could tell that he had been waiting a long time to say that.
"Thanks a lot, Brock! I'm not going to let you or anybody else down! I'm going to go to the Battle Frontier Headquarters in Vermillion City tomorrow, and no matter what I have to do, I'm going to overcome it and become a Frontier Brain!"
"That's good to hear, Ash; I am very proud of you," said Brock.
"Thank you, Brock. I could never have gotten this far without your help," Ash smiled.
"Haha, you know it, Ash. Also, before I go, I want to remind you that since you're going to become a Frontier Brain that somebody special might be waiting for you there," said Brock secretively.
"Somebody special? Who exactly are you talking about?" Asked Ash, now very confused as he was hit with his innate denseness.
"Sorry, Ash. I can't spoil that part for you but remember, once you realize who this person is, you will understand what I'm talking about and realize it is all a part of growing up," said Brock wisely.
"Ugh, Brock. You're really confusing me now?" Yelled Ash, now holding his head in his hands.
Brock could only laugh and said, "As I said, you will figure out what I am talking about soon. I have to go be a referee for a Gym Battle, so I'm sure I'll talk to you soon. Take care, Ash!"
"Alright, I'll talk to you later, Brock," With that, the videophone shut down.
Now feeling good about everything said, Ash headed outside to give his Pokémon the news. Once he was outside, all of Ash's Pokémon skirted up to him, and once they were all in front of Ash, he told them all about the good news. In response, all of Ash's Pokémon cheered and seemed ready to take on the unique new challenge.
"Alright, everyone, let's train for the rest of the day. Then we will head out tomorrow for Vermillion City!" Yelled Ash as he pumped a fist in the air and all of his Pokémon continued to cheer around him.
Tohjo Falls – Kanto Region
In a small log cabin seemingly in the middle of nowhere sat the sixth member of the Battle Frontier, Salon Maiden Anabel. She was talking to Scott on a videophone.
"Ah, Anabel, how have you been doing?" Asked Scott.
"Well, I have been pretty busy lately with all the new challengers you have recruited, but it's nothing I can't handle," said Anabel with a laugh.
"That's good to hear. Anyway, I have some news that I think you will like very much."
"Oh? What might that be?" Asked Anabel curiously.
"Well, somebody that passed through the Battle Frontier about a year and a half ago just called me today telling me that he has decided to accept my offer of being a Frontier Brain."
After hearing that, Anabel became very attentive as she had been waiting for this news for a long time, hoping that 'he' might accept Scott's offer. To be sure, though, Anabel asked with a light blush on her face. "Scott, you wouldn't happen to be talking about Ash, would you?"
"You bet! I figured you would want to be the first to know. I am asking all Frontier Brains to cancel any and everything off their schedules and report to the Battle Frontier Headquarters tomorrow at 5:00 PM to prepare for Ash's arrival."
Anabel froze up for a second before saying with an even brighter blush now on her face, "O… ok, Scott. I'll be there."
"Excellent, I'll be excepting you at 5:00 PM. Also, don't say anything to the other Brains, but if I were you, I would start thinking of things for him to do now. You know, to save time and all that," said Scott with a smirk.
Knowing what Scott was referring to, Anabel blushed even brighter while thinking of what it would be like if Ash chose her.
However, she realized what Scott was trying to say and said, "You know Scott, it's mean to pick on me just for my feelings regardless. I'll be there at five like you said." Before Scott could respond, Anabel cut the connection between them.
Anabel knew Scott wouldn't care about what she did as he knew all about her feelings for a certain raven-headed trainer.
Anabel then looked out her window and said to herself, "Ash… if you choose me, I'll do everything I can to help you become the best Frontier Brain you can be. I know that this time when you try and read my heart, you will be able to. If you can't, I'll stay by your side until you can. Ash... I'm not going to let you go again like last time without telling you my feelings first."
With that, Anabel got into her pajamas and then into bed while thinking about what tomorrow's events may bring.
Thanks for reading, and here's the is the next chapter title!
Crossroads Chapter 5: That Special Someone
Cyclone20
