Welcome everyone to a story I promised a long, long time ago. Like, December 2017 but who's keeping track of days anyways? Well, the sequel to Champions and Crushes is finally here and hopefully the wait was worth it. Though I will say that unlike the original, this will not be 70+ chapters and won't have constant uploads. Instead it'll be updated once every two weeks. So the next chapter will be somewhere between the 25th and 29th of April. Anyways, let's get into the first chapter of the sequel.
Ch 1: Consequences of His Actions
Sirens blared through the street as they were quickly joined by the whirling of helicopter blades. Ash blinked at the sight before him, smoke rising up into the air as he pushed a bit of debris from atop his body. Pikachu stirred slightly as Ash groaned in annoyance.
"What happened? One moment they were here and the next half of Nimbasa City is ruined," Ash moaned out as he sat up. Not too far away from him were Silver and Nick, the latter passed out. Silver threw him over his shoulder, the man making his way to Ash as footsteps could be heard making their way towards them.
"Well, they got away but we can confirm that Team Rocket is still out there," Silver coughed out as Ash frowned.
Part of him knew that today was going to end poorly as before he even left for Kalos things were going unexpected. Between Serena being forced to remain in Kalos to his paperwork explaining his need to travel for a few days having vanished, it felt as if the universe was trying to keep him from joining Silver and Nick on their attempt to capture the last remnants of Team Rocket. Dusting his hat off Ash placed it atop his head before Pikachu licked at a bit of dirt on his face. His body was sore though he could live with that, what he couldn't deal with was the destruction that occurred from their failure. The Driftveil Drawbridge was broken, possibly gone now as part of it rested within the water it once stood proudly atop of.
The destruction followed into the city where the northern section now laid in ruin. Silver's intel had been correct as the three managed to bust a recruitment attempt by the struggling organization but then everything just happened in a flash. Darkness enclosed around them, Ash unable to remember what exactly happened before a punch to his gut had knocked him down. Compared to Nick and Silver he had gotten off easy, though, the latter bleeding from his arm while the former laid limp over Silver's shoulder.
"With orders from League Chairman Caiaphas we have been tasked to bring an end to this destruction!" an Officer Jenny cried out. Ash sighed at that, not making a move as the League's new task force ran within the wreckage. Looking to his side, Silver got ready to leave but the added weight from Nick kept him in place.
Despite orders from members of the task force to remain where it was safe, news crews followed behind them as Ash watched them film everything from up close. Before he could even say a word, however, Ash felt the metal handcuffs wrap around his wrists as Pikachu was placed within a container of sorts.
"Is this really necessary? We haven't even done anything!?" Ash called out as he took a step forward. A Stoutland growled at him in response, Ash taking a step back as the Officer Jenny leading the group moved towards him.
Scratching at the side of her head, the woman twirled her baton around slowly. Ash could see the look of unease sitting on her face as a sigh parted her lips. Words followed after, Ash feeling his heart drop with each one. "Ash, you know if I could I'd let you walk. Unfortunately Chairman Caiaphas wants all responsible to be brought in for questioning. That includes you and your partners over there."
Ash's eyes trailed towards Silver, the man being forced to hand over Nick as he was placed within the back of a cruise. The Pallet Town native could see Silver wanting to resist arrest, reaching for his badge from the G-Men but instead stood down. Ash hoped that things would be cleared up quickly even if this looked bad, anyone who knew him knew that he wouldn't have caused such an event to occur.
"Yeah, I get it," he muttered in defeat. Dropping his head he allowed Officer Jenny to lead him towards a police car, the Champion being placed within it as Silver joined him in the back. The door shut behind them, the two men left alone for a second as Officer Jenny walked towards the front.
"I don't trust this. We should have run," Silver stated. Ash looked at the man with confusion, he knew with Nick in his current state there was no way they could have escaped and even then it would have looked awful if he left the scene. He knew they didn't do this and he knew that they would be cleared of any charges. Before he could respond, however, Officer Jenny entered the vehicle and began to drive away.
The Champion of Kalos stared out the window as he took in the sight of what was left of the northern portion of Nimbasa City. Smoke rose up from the remains though to Ash it looked different, almost spectral in property as he questioned it. For a split second Ash noted a rather large imprint of a foot, a feather or two within it only for them to be blown away by the wind. He wished he could have gotten a better sight of it to maybe narrow down what had attacked them but the vehicle was already moving to a different section of Nimbasa City.
To his surprise they were being brought to the airport as a small plane awaited them. Being let out of the vehicle by Officer Jenny, Ash felt the handcuffs be removed from his wrists as an apologetic smile sat on the woman's face. Silver likewise was freed from his restraints, the man rubbing at his wrists while a slight glare rested upon his own face. A second car pulled up beside them, Nick being carried from it and onto the plane while Pikachu was brought from the second vehicle. Upon the opening of his container Pikachu ran for Ash, nuzzling his best friend.
"Sorry about back there, the officers of Nimbasa City know that it wasn't your doing that caused all that. We just have to follow orders otherwise risk being replaced by that new task force," Officer Jenny explained. Ash shrugged at that, adjusting his hat slightly as Pikachu sniffed at the air.
"Cha..." he stated with a frown on his face. Ash nodded at that as he turned towards Officer Jenny.
"Maybe I'm naïve or just too trusting, but I don't think the world needs a League appointed task force to handle emergencies. Isn't that for Gym Leaders and other respected trainers like Champions to handle instead of whatever those guys are?"
Officer Jenny nodded, Silver walking away as he boarded the plane. Ash wished he remained behind to help explain things, though he wouldn't have gotten a chance anyways as a call over her radio caused Officer Jenny to turn her attention elsewhere. She paused before leaving, turning back towards the now tired Champion as she offered a hand to him. "We'll continue to figure out what happened. The entire police department of Nimbasa City won't rest until we learn who was behind that attack."
"Thanks," Ash managed to say as he took her hand in his own. Shaking it, the two individuals pulled away as Ash shoved his hands within his pockets. Getting onto the plane he sat down within one of the few chairs as he and Pikachu stared out the window. A screeching noise made for him to look around, to maybe see if there was something out there but the now darkening sky made it near impossible to make anything out.
Feeling the exhaustion wash over his body he yawned out, Pikachu curling up within his lap as the plane slowly moved forward. The change in altitude could be felt with the pressure in his ears increasing yet Ash continued to fail in his fight against his desire to sleep. Finally giving in he closed his eyes and leaned back in his seat, darkness appearing all around him as he slowly snoozed off.
Even his slumber was no better, Ash finding himself unable to move or do anything in his dream as black flames surrounded him. He could hear the cries from Nimbasa City once more as businesses and homes were ruined. A shadow sneaked along the ground, Ash calling for Pikachu to intercept it but his dream merely replayed the day's earlier actions as Pikachu missed it. Ash wondered if he was crazy for thinking a shadow of all things was attacking them only to turn and see part of a nearby shop collapse. Pikachu moved quick, slicing it up with Iron Tail but in doing so the last few Team Rocket members had escaped.
The dream fast forwarded for Ash, the Champion finding himself surrounded by darkness once more as his chase towards the escaping Team Rocket members came to a halt. The shadows around them made it impossible to tell which direction was which, two burning lights appearing before them almost like eyes staring them down. He remembered taking a step towards them only for a green fire to surround the lights and for Ash to nearly be crushed by falling debris that instead pinned him to the ground.
A slight jolt broke him out of his slumber, the boy pitching forward as Pikachu fell from his lap. Sweat was on the side of his face, Ash wiping it as he apologized to Pikachu. The Electric-Type waved it off, sweat also on his face as he pawed at it. Rubbing at their eyes together, Ash and Pikachu stared out the window to themselves back in Lumiose City as several news companies were waiting along the runway for them.
"Never trust the media. Don't say a word once we step off the plane," Silver stated. Ash nodded at that, the Champion noting that Nick was now awake, some bandages wrapped around his head as he stood. He appeared out of it still, eyes dazed slightly as Silver helped him towards the exit. Ash followed suit, standing as Pikachu got back atop his shoulder.
"What exactly were you trying to do when you went to Nimbasa City?"
"Is it true that Team Rocket is still at large? Is it possible Giovanni is looking to get revenge for his failure here two years ago?"
"Champion Ketchum, will you take full responsibility for the actions taken in Nimbasa? Were there ever any talks with Champion Alder about such a plan?"
Ash could hear the questions before he even walked out of the airplane. Taking a deep sigh he adjusted his hat slightly before exiting the aircraft. Flashes blinded him temporarily as cameras shot pictures of him. Pikachu sparked with electricity though Ash waved it off. The last thing they needed was another controversy. His eyes looked around for Silver and Nick but the two were already gone, Ash wondering for a moment where they might have vanished to.
"Mr. Ketchum, rumor has it that this was not a League sanctioned action. Are you worried about any repercussions?"
Ash gulped at that but kept walking forward. He could see the airport terminal before him now. All he had to do was make it through those doors and then out the other set and into Lumiose City. His first plan was to find Clemont and see if the inventor could help him in any way. He had a feeling that Clemont might be able to figure something out for the strange occurrence.
Passing through the terminal Ash found himself still in trouble as the sight of not just his fellow Champions but also of Chairman Caiaphas made him realize that he wouldn't even have a chance to find Clemont. The stout man looked rather annoyed, his dress shoe tapping against the ground as he made sure security kept the media away from them. Ash's fellow Champions appeared mixed in reactions though one thing was clear, there was an obvious divide among them.
"Mr. Ketchum, it appears we need to talk in regard to your little trip to Unova," Caiaphas stated as he pulled out a handkerchief. Wiping his forehead clean of sweat he tapped his cane against the ground softly. None of the other Champions spoke a word, though Ash could tell they were unsure of how to handle it. After Lance's mistake two years ago leading him to step down most of the Champions had played things safe, so to witness what occurred from Ash's actions surely had put them on edge.
"I understand, it's just that..." Ash began to say, his words trailing off as Caiaphas raised his hand. The man looked at him with disappointment, raising a finger to his lips before shushing Ash.
"Mr. Ketchum, not in public. The last thing we need is to instill more panic amongst the general populace. Our discussion will be held behind closed doors. Now come, we'll be meeting in the conference room here."
"Not at the Kalos League Headquarters?" Ash asked. Steven placed a hand on the young Champion's shoulder, shaking his head as he did so.
"The media is expecting as much. We first arrived there only to be swarmed by them. I can't blame them though, it's the first major problem the League has faced in two years. Instead the Chairman proposed the airport. The media will assume we're on our way to the League Headquarters and we'll instead talk here.
"Though I feel it should be little more than to speak on how we should handle the fallout of such an event," Steven stated as the group walked down the airport. Riding an escalator to the second floor, Ash could see people pointing at them, whispering as even a few glares were shot in his direction.
He found himself on display for the entire public's viewing pleasure and for once he felt uncomfortable. As if he truly messed up and just wanted to vanish. Even when he faced off against countless trainers in different Leagues he had never wanted to vanish from the public's view, but now, knowing that they probably held those gazes with discontent he wanted to just vanish for a few days.
"No one is perfect, Ash. Besides, no one thinks you caused that attack," Cynthia whispered to him. A look back from Alder told Ash otherwise but the blonde woman shot a glare towards the older man. The action caused him to turn forward once more, Ash thanking the Champion of Sinnoh as she rubbed the top of Pikachu's head. "We've all made mistakes, just take the event in Lumiose a few years back. We could have talked Lance out of it and planned something better but we didn't. If we begin pointing fingers then the League as a whole will collapse."
Ash didn't answer, though he felt a little better. Pikachu appeared worried for him still, the Electric-Type licking Ash's face gently. The group of Champions took a turn down a hallway, a few security officers being forced to hold back a couple media personal who had followed them. Ash could hear the flicker of cameras and the call from one person to answer their questions but instead the group entered a room.
"The media will be here before we know it. So let's make it quick," Caiaphas stated as he moved to the head of the table. Ash watched each Champion make their way to a different seat. Though to his surprise Agatha sat there with them, Ash choosing to not point out her presence as he sat down next to Steven and Cynthia. Across from them sat Alder and a man he had never seen before. He was dressed in a white lab coat with a pair of glasses on though he lacked a shirt much to Ash's confusion.
"To begin, this will be the official recognition of Alola's first Pokémon League happening this year. Professor Kukui will be overseeing it and as such the League has decided to grant him the temporary title of Champion until the first winner of their League is determined. Likewise, Agatha has agreed to oversee the Kanto and Johto Leagues until a new Champion is found. We tried to get Blue Oak to take the position, but he declined.
"With those two out of the way we can move onto the true reason we gathered today: Nimbasa City and the fallout from Ash's actions there," Caiaphas stated as he folded his hands. Murmurs from the different Champions echoed around the room, no one willing to say the first word until finally Alder slammed his hands down on the table.
"I still don't understand why you came to Unova without alerting anyone else first? We could have helped handle things and none of this would have happened!" the older Champion stated as he stood up. Pain and anger were painted on his face, tired eyes present as Ash moved around in his chair. "Instead I have half a city destroyed and people asking why I permitted such an action to take place. Your actions don't make just yourself look bad but the rest of us!"
"I did provide the paperwork though. Ask Diantha, we submitted it saying I was heading to Nimbasa," Ash stated in honest. He could see Steven nodding at that though Caiaphas coughed, all eyes turning to the Chairman.
"Ash, we never received any paperwork. I even called you and told you that before. We discussed it."
"I know, but I also know I left it on your desk. You must have lost it somehow."
Caiaphas laughed at the accusation, narrowing his eyes at Ash as the boy felt a shiver run down his spine. "Now, you're surely not trying to pin your shortcomings on me, now are you? I would have seen the paperwork if it came to my office."
"I'm not blaming you for anything. I'm just saying that I sent the papers to you and they were received. Diantha said so. So even if you don't believe me, her word should be more than enough."
"Ash is correct, I remember Diantha mentioning to me that the correct paperwork had been sent," Steven added in as he adjusted his tie. His eyes narrowed onto the Chairman, the action causing Caiaphas to clear his throat. "Diantha is not someone who would lie. Each of us knows that and so if you're saying she is lying that's an action I can't stand for."
"Steven, I may not know her as well as the rest of you, but aren't you letting your connections to Kalos cloud your judgement?" Agatha asked as she leaned forward in her chair. "I personally view the League having many shortcomings, but think of it like this, if Ash had been informed his paperwork was missing, why didn't he return to fix the issue?"
"We didn't have time. Team Rocket would have gotten away!" Ash shouted out. Pikachu cried in agreement as Alder leaned on his elbow.
"This again? We had no signs of Team Rocket doing anything within Nimbasa. Though if your reports had been correct it would have allowed us to stop the branch forming in Driftveil before they all escaped," Alder stated. Ash shook his head in confusion, he knew that they had been in Nimbasa. He had battled them with Silver and Nick before everything went black and they escaped. There was no way he had it wrong.
"But my sources..."
"Your sources are a man who has a daddy issue looking to hunt down a ghost and the other is a child who will follow him because he has nothing else to do," Caiaphas pointed out.
"With all due respect, Giovanni's body has yet to be recovered since the incident in Lumiose. It is best to assume he might still be out there instead of thinking he's died," Cynthia pointed out. Her words appeared to fall on deaf ears. Ash looked across the table to see if Kukui had any words but he remained silent, taking everything in with a blank expression.
"Yes, well it might be in the League's best interest to conduct investigations it is also in our best interest to have correct information and to double and even triple check it before rushing into situations," Caiaphas stated. With a deep sigh he folded his hands across the table as his eyes drooped slightly. Looking towards Ash he frowned. "Because of your actions, relations between Unova and Kalos have been strained. To help appease both sides I feel that in the best interest of the League we move to suspend your title until a full investigation is completed about the matter."
"You must be kidding!" Steven shouted, the man rising from his seat as all eyes rested on him. Cynthia stood beside him, the two Champions holding their own against the League Chairman. "Ash has never done anything wrong in his entire career and now we want to make him into a scapegoat for one event? All without a proper investigation!"
"Steven, we're doing this so he can learn some maturity. As a Champion he can't just run into every situation he wants to. He needs to act with a level head and the maturity of a Champion," Alder stated as Steven and Cynthia sat back down. Steven shook his head at that, glaring down Alder.
"This is how you thank the man who has helped each of our regions at one point or another? You throw him under the bus instead of trying to fix the problem naturally?"
"We're doing none of that. I may not agree with a suspension but I agree it might be best to keep Mr. Ketchum out of the spotlight until an investigation is completed," Agatha chimed in. Caiaphas nodded at that, raising his hand to keep the other Champions from speaking.
"With that I would like to have Ash leave the room so that the voting may commence."
"Wait, I can't stay?" Ash asked, standing in confusion as Steven motioned for the youngest Champion in the room to sit back down. "Don't I have a say in any of this?"
"Unfortunately no. If we allowed you to stay, it might cause rifts in relations among the Champions to know who voted for or against you," Caiaphas stated.
"I knew you shouldn't have been elected to replace Mr. Goodshow," Steven stated, clinching down on his teeth. "Between your actions with running the League and pushing for a "professional" circuit, your destroying everything that he stood for."
"I understand your frustrations, Mr. Stone, but now is not the place nor time to talk about your feelings towards me. Bless Mr. Goodshow, the man lived a wonderful life but the Committee viewed me as the perfect candidate to succeed him. And I plan to do what I promised: to make the world of Pokémon Training even bigger than it is today."
"If this is the direction you plan to take the League I want nothing to do with this. If you vote to suspend Ash then I'm handing in my resignation effective immediately." Steven stated as he pushed his chair out. He stood a few steps back from the table, Ash watching him as the Champion turned his back to the others. "Follow this man if you wish to let everything you love be destroyed. But I can't in good conscious call myself a Champion under his watch."
"Steven, aren't you being a little dramatic?" Alder asked as he too stood up. "Caiaphas is just trying to make things better. To appease all those frustrated from the League's failings the last few years. Are you sure you're not just upset that they passed you over for him?"
"Please, I'm not so petty to be upset over a rejection. However, I will not stand by and watch what I loved be destroyed and torn down to try and make it 'better' when nothing was wrong with it. The issues with the League came from up top and should be the focus of fixture. You all can call Wallace and tell him he's got his position back," Steven stated as he marched from the conference room.
Ash stared in confusion, unsure about what he should do. However, one look from Caiaphas told him everything he needed to know. Without a word he stood up, Cynthia placing a hand on his arm along with a smile as Ash knew she tried to assure him everything would be alright. He wasn't sure however, especially with how things just went down. It was clear that the League itself had a divide growing among itself and he wasn't sure if it could survive it.
Exiting the room he saw Steven leaning against the wall, his head resting within the palm of his hand. The young Champion made his way over towards the man as he called out to him. "I'm sorry about that, Steven, I hope it wasn't my fault you quit your position."
"Ash, don't think like that. You weren't around back when this divide began forming. When Goodshow's health began to decline Caiaphas was asked to handle more of the day to day things. He wanted to upgrade the League, creating a 'premium' branch of it if you will but Goodshow was still here to keep it under control. I knew if that man gained the Chairman's position I wouldn't last long in this League, one that would place more emphasis on profits and expanding instead of providing the same experience I grew up on. The way they handled your case was just the last straw," Steven explained. He was about to begin speaking again only for the door to the conference room to open and slam shut.
The duo turned their eyes in the direction of the door, a frown present on Cynthia's face as Ash made his way towards her.
"So what happened?" he asked, Cynthia shaking her head back and forth.
"I did all I could, Kukui even argued on your side. He mentioned how just throwing trainers away for their faults is exactly what he's working to stop in Alola but Caiaphas didn't care. The vote was tied two to two, myself and Kukui for you and Alder and Agatha for suspension."
"So that means the vote was null and void like in previous meetings. Ash should still be instated, right?" Steven asked only for Cynthia to shake her head. Ash felt his heart sink at her next words, even Pikachu whimpering out in annoyance as they listened to the Champion.
"Caiaphas stated that upon his rise to the Chairman's position the Committee granted him the ability to break any deadlocks in voting. And as such, he voted to suspend Ash until the investigation ends."
Ash lowered his head at that, the sound of Steven punching the wall being the only noise the three of them made. He wasn't sure what he was going to do now but he hoped everything would turn out just fine.
Alright, so that's the first chapter. As mentioned before, this won't contain 70+ chapters but it also won't be 7k to 10k words per chapter either. Honestly, it will probably range between 4k to 6k, maybe a 7k chapter rarely. It's just because I don't want to just pad the story out just to add words. Anyways, hopefully this first chapter is interesting and makes you all wonder what might happen down the road!
Though I am sorry if this doesn't live up to the original, but I feel nothing will ever be like that considering how big it ended up being. Regardless, this was an idea I once had and then pushed it away thinking I would never want to write it after promising it before. So it finally was made and will be revealed to everyone!
Thank you to everyone who read the chapter and supports this story. Please leave a review letting me know what you enjoyed and how I can improve the story.
