A golden recovery

Back in black I hit the sack
I've been too long I'm glad to be back
Yes I am
Let loose from the noose
That's kept me hanging about
I kept looking at the sky cause it's gettin' me high
Forget the hearse cause I'll never die
I got nine lives cat's eyes
Abusin' every one of them and runnin' wild
Cause I'm back
Yes I'm back
Well I'm back
Yes I'm back
Well I'm back, back
Well I'm back in black
Back in black, AC/DC

It took nearly a month for Silver to recover. Ash used the time to rest and relax. His father was healing. He was safe, especially from Arceus. Nothing bad would happen to him anymore. A cold resolve slowly settled in the boy's heart. He would let nothing happen to those he loved. Nothing. From then on, if someone threatened his family or his friends, he would act lethally. No mercy, no remorse.

Silver opened his eyes. The sight of the translucent dome above made him blink.

"Nathea's Temple? Wait, the Temple didn't have a pool."

Shifting his stance, the Ancient swam to the edge and left the pool. Freezing the water on himself and getting rid of it was child play. Then he noticed something.

"Wait, I can use Aura normally!"

"Indeed. It took you a while to recover."

Silver turned to see Slowking watching him. He looked around and blinked.

"This place… We are in Shamouti. You finished the temple dedicated to Lugia and the Birds." The Ice Aura user smiled. "It's well done. For a moment, I thought I was at Nathea's Temple in Remora. But the temple was destroyed during the war, and Remora itself didn't survive the journey. A shame. The White City was one of the most beautiful places of Ea."

The memory made him shed a tear. The Planeswar had robbed Ea of countless wonders, ending with the world itself. But now wasn't the time to dwell on the past. Slowking handed him his gear. Silver put it on, including his cape. His Aura was back to normal, which allowed him to control his body temperature and keep it to manageable level. He was glad to see the temple was as beautiful outside as it was from the inside.

Ash was practicing capoeira, going through the moves as his Aura flowed over him. A familiar sensation touched him. His eyes widened.

"Silver? Silver is back!"

He was running the next moment. Silver barely managed to catch the boy in time.

"Oof!"

"You're alright!"

Melody, Misty, Brock and Gary gathered at the commotion and grinned. Ash was holding his surrogate father tight, face buried in his chest. Silver was busy stroking the kid's hair, muttering sweet nothing as he comforted him.

"I was so scared… Felt so helpless… I couldn't… couldn't… Never again!" His fist hit his mentor's stomach. "Never give me such a scare again!"

"I'll do my best."

Ash grumbled. He didn't want his mentor to do his best. He wanted to never scare him like that again, period. Nathea appeared at her husband's side.

"Welcome back, love."

They spent most of the night celebrating. No one regretted a thing, least of all the Ancient, who spent a long and heated night with his wife.

Soon enough, they were on the way back to Johto. Giovanni's blimp flew them straight to Goldenrod City. Silver was still wrapping his head around the fact Arceus was out of the picture and Dana was back to godhood.

"I'm free. We're free. We – We no longer fear genocide. It feels… strange. Relieving. No more fear." The Ancient shook his head. "I have lived for so long with this fear it's become an old friend. To be without it is… strange… Wait. Who's leading the Council, now?"

"Dialga and Palkia, apparently, since they are the oldest. Also, Nathea and Dana have their own attribution: Good for Nathea, Mankind for Dana. Since her old attributes of Life and Nature are already taken and mankind has no one to represent them."

"Ah. That's good."

Goldenrod City was huge. For someone with little sense of direction like Ash, it would have been hell if the place wasn't so interesting. Gary was almost as bad, and neither Misty nor Brock or Silver knew the place that well. They ended getting lost three times before Gary decided to say "Forget it." and use his telepathy to read the path to the gym in a passerby's mind. Ash breathed.

"Whitney. Normal specialist. Owner of the Plain Badge. Same as usual?"

"Three against three." Gary agreed. "I take one half, you take the other. Wanna go first?"

Ash hesitated.

"You go."

"Got it."

Luckily, the gym was open. Whitney smiled.

"I was waiting for you. Lance warned me you were taking a break until your mentor recovered." She looked at Silver. "Glad to see he's alright. Are you ready?"

Gary took a Pokéball.

"Ready when you are. I'll go first."

Whitney nodded.

"Alright, Gary Oak. Three against three, no switching. Let's go!"

(Play Fire – Level Two, Avicii)

She took a Pokéball and threw it.

"I'll start slow, but don't expect an easy win! Go, Furret!"

Gary took a Pokéball.

"Houndour, time to test your mettle for real!"

"Houn-dour dour!" (I won't disappoint you!)

The two Pokémon faced each other. Then they rushed.

"Agility!"

"Howl!"

Houndour howled fiercely. Gary grinned as Furret rushed at his partner. It was going to regret its decision.

"Will-O-Wisp!"

Several blue flames surrounded Houndour, who ran to Furret and dexterously dodged the charge. The blue flames touched the Long Body Pokémon and scorched its fur. The creature had to roll on the ground to snuff them. It had barely risen that a Dark Pulse hit it in the face. Whitney nodded.

"No holding back, uh? Alright, neither will I! Furret, Hyper Voice!"

Gary winced as the sound waves blasted his partner. Houndour didn't collapse, but he was stunned. Enough he couldn't dodge Furret's Slam. Gary frowned.

"I'm not going down that easily. Houndour, Flame Charge!"

Houndour blinked and pawed his ear. Gary froze. He wasn't the only one.

"Uh oh, Hyper Voice deafened Houndour."

"And because he's a Dark Pokémon, Gary can't even use telepathy to command him." Silver reminded. "Kid's in a tight spot."

But Gary was resourceful.

"This is bad but I can manage."

Houndour looked at him. The brunette pointed at Furret and repeatedly snapped his jaw. His partner nodded. Message received: time to Bite, Bite, Bite! He ran at Furret, dodged a Slam and Bit anywhere he could reach: the tail, the back, the paws and even the ears. Furret shrieked in pain. Houndour grinned as he heard the sound. His hearing had returned. He turned to his partner, tapped his ear and nodded. Gary grinned. Furret was shaking itself. He had to finish it.

"Flame Charge!"

"Furret, Quick Attack!"

Unfortunately, Furret's injuries slowed it down. Houndour caught up, outran his opponent and rammed into it. Then he finished with a Flamethrower. Furret didn't rise. Whitney nodded.

"Alright, well play. And nicely done, getting around your partner's deafness."

"Thanks. I was worried for a moment. Had it been anyone else, I would have used telepathy, but Dark Pokémon are immune to Psychic powers."

Whitney chuckled sheepishly.

"Yeah, I can see how it's hampering. Alright, here is my second teammate: Persian! Let's fight like cats and dogs!"

Gary chuckled wholeheartedly.

"Houndour, Flamethrower!"

The gout of fire ran at Persian. Whitney gave her order.

"Persian, counter with Power Gem!"

The two attacks clashed in the middle of the arena. Then the two Pokémon ran at one another.

"Flame Charge!"

"Play Rough!"

The two Mons collapsed into a massive ball of claws, fangs and fire, rolling around the arena as they fought each other. Houndour eventually rolled away the worse for wear, though Persian wasn't looking so good either. Whitney's eyes narrowed.

"Power Gem!"

"Dark Pulse!"

This time, Power Gem won decisively and struck Houndour. The hellish dog didn't rise. Gary returned him.

"Good job, partner. Don't worry, you'll be avenged."

He took two Pokéballs and hesitated. Who should he use next? Ledian or Misdreavus? After consideration, he went for Ledian. The bug came out.

"Persian is weakened. Finish him!"

Whitney nodded.

"Cute bugger. Persian, Power Gem!"

Ledian didn't need to be ordered to summon Light Screen. The dazzling beam didn't go through. Gary smirked.

"Finish it! Double Team, then Punch at will!"

The giant ladybug gladly obeyed. Soon, Persian was surrounded by a swarm of Ledians that harassed it with Fire, Ice and Thunder Punch. The feline Pokémon tried to fight back, sending a hail of Pay Day around, but Ledian dodged the assault. His Mach Punch nailed Persian right in the gem, knocking it cold. Whitney returned her partner.

"Nicely done. Your Ledian is well-trained. Alright. For the finish, I'm going to use Ambipom!"

The simian Pokémon sprung in the arena. Gary braced himself. Whitney gave her order.

"Double Hit!"

Ledian dodged the first hit and countered the second with Fire Punch. Dual Chop followed and was blocked by Reflect. Gary glared.

"Bug Buzz!"

Ambipom rolled away, tail on its ears. The brown-haired boy smirked.

"Your turn."

The simian Pokémon was a close-range specialist. The only logical thing to do was staying at a range. Ledian flew around chaining Silver Wind with Bug Buzz, Swift and Giga Drain. Ambipom couldn't keep up. A sudden Mach Punch knocked it out. Whitney closed her eyes.

"Alright, Gary Oak. You win."

(End music)

She took a badge from a box and handed it to him. It was plain and square, a yellow right-angled shape lined with grey. The Plain Badge. The teen put it inside his jacket and turned to Ash.

"Ready to go?"

"Ready."

There was something strange about his voice. Everyone noticed. Ash and Whitney both took a Pokéball.

(Play Torn from the Heavens, Final Fantasy XIV)

"Ursaring, go!"

"Chikorita, you're up!"

Whitney grinned.

"Chikorita? Alright. Ursaring, Fire Punch!"

Chikorita scoffed. Ash shook his head.

"Fire Punch? That's all? Chikorita, Energy Ball."

Chikorita dodged the attack and sent a ball of green energy in the bear Pokémon's face. Ursaring roared. Its body glowed pink. Ash frowned. Fire Punch could be shrugged. Return wasn't. The Grass Starter dodged with Whip Vine, leaving one of them singe her opponent's chest. It struck the ring. Ash smirked when the Pokémon staggered.

"The ring is his weak point. Chikorita, Magical Leaf to the face, then use your signature move on the ring!"

"Chiko!"

A flurry of leaves struck Ursaring in the face, causing its Focus Blast to be way off target. Then Chikorita ran, using the distraction to charge Leaf Blade. The attack hit dead center, knocking Ursaring cold. Whitney blinked.

"A Chikorita with Leaf Blade?"

"It's an egg move."

"Ah. Well played. Alright, I will send Lickilicky next!"

Chikorita glared at the pink Pokémon. The tongue didn't scare her, but if it went near her, she would Leaf Blade it with no remorse. Lick was always yuck. Ash gave his order.

"Chikorita, use Magical Leaf!"

"Lickilicky, Defense Curl then Rollout!"

The pink Pokémon rolled over itself, deflecting the leaves before rolling straight at Chikorita. The girl jumped. Ash frowned. As long as Lickilicky was rolling, any long-range move would be deflected. This limited his moves… unless he used a certain trick. If he remembered, Lickitung and Lickilicky were always curious about new tastes. He gave an order.

"Sweet Scent!"

Chikorita landed and spun her leaf. A sweet, sugary scent seeped in the room, causing the rotund Pokémon to stop its rolling and look around, curious. Ash grinned.

"Energy Ball in the face!"

Whitney shook her head.

"Deflect it and Wrap!"

Chikorita jumped at the order. Oh, by the Reverse World, not a chance! The green energy sphere was easily cast aside. However, before Lickilicky's tongue could wrap itself around her, she jumped and, without being ordered, delivered several Leaf Blades on the appendage. The pink Pokémon reeled away in pain. Chikorita focused and generated her biggest Energy Ball. The attack struck Lickilicky in the head, knocking it cold. Misty snickered.

"Head shot."

Whitney winced.

"Ouch, that gotta hurt. In any case, you trained your partner well. I wonder if you'll be able to take my favorite: Miltank!"

No one missed how Ash tensed, as if he could sense how powerful the creature was. The boy clenched and unclenched his fist several times, eyes narrowed and breath tight. Whitney seemed to notice it too because her face became fiercer.

"Miltank, Body Slam!"

"Chikorita, Energy Ball in the udders."

Chikorita charged the attack as Miltank jumped. Whitney grinned decisively.

"Defense Curl and Rollout!"

The bovine Pokémon suddenly switched attacks and rolled on herself, deflecting the sphere. Chikorita was almost crushed by the landing, only managing to dodge at the last moment. However, she was still too close to avoid an Iron Tail. The attack didn't knock her, but it did make her stagger. Whitney saw her chance.

"Finish her! Rollout!"

Ash knew Chikorita was too shaken to dodge. Instead, he gave an order.

"Leaf Blade full power! Block that attack!"

Chikorita tried. She really did. Her Leaf Blade was as big as she was. Unfortunately, Miltank was too strong. The two attacks ground against each other… and Rollout prevailed, sending Chikorita flying. The girl didn't rise. Ash returned her.

"Well done, partner. Totodile, you go!"

His voice was harsh. Totodile noticed and gave him a worried look. Ash glared at Miltank.

"Rain Dance. Aqua Jet."

Totodile started dancing, dodging Miltank's Rollout in the process. However, everyone could tell, the little Pokémon wasn't at ease. As soon as a grey cloud started pouring water, he rushed at the bovine Pokémon. Unfortunately, Rollout was stronger. Totodile was sent flying and crashed against the wall, unconscious. Ash outright snarled as he returned him.

"That's it. Pikachu, you're up!"

His eyes were starting to glow blue. Silver stood. Suddenly, the room lost several degrees. As Pikachu cloaked himself in Volt Tackle and ran at Miltank, the Ancient summoned an ice wall. Both Miltank and Pikachu crashed against it. Silver spoke, and his voice was as cold as his Aura.

"That's enough. Ash? You lose. Whitney, this fight is over. Sorry about that."

(End music)

Ash glared at his mentor.

"What do you mean, I lose!?"

Silver glared at the boy, his eyes the color of ice. His voice was freezing.

"You lose control, you lose the fight. Ash, snap out at once."

His eyes and his voice left no room for argument. Pikachu returned to his friend's side. Ash slowly calmed, his eyes losing their glow. Silver walked to the boy and gave an icy flick to his forehead. That definitively cooled him.

"Better now." The Ancient approved. "Ash, you aren't fine right now. I will let you challenge Whitney again once you're better. Whitney, if I remember correctly, your uncle owns a dairy farm. Do you mind if we spend a day or two there? Learning to take care of Pokémon is also part of a Trainer's journey."

Whitney was a little unsettled. Not ten seconds ago, the silver-haired man was as cold and sharp as ice. It was gone, now. Silver was back to his gentler, fatherly persona. The contrast between the two was disturbing.

"Y-Yes. Gladly. Uncle will appreciate the help. I'll give him a call."

"Thank you."

Ash looked away. On one hand, he wasn't happy with his loss. On the other, he could also tell he wasn't alright, mentally speaking. He decided to trust his mentor. Silver had always provided them with guidance before, and the two were like father and son. He was right, the boy wasn't fine. Silver put a hand on his shoulder.

"Come on, let's get going. I'm not the only one who got hurt by those events. Your wounds are of a different and even worse nature. I should have treated them earlier."

It wasn't often that the Ancient admitted his shortcomings, mostly because they were few and far between. He still did, because it was the right thing to do. And even worse: this time, his surrogate son was involved.

And done. Merry early Christmas ! As the song says, I'm back and hopefully for good. The BNHA bug has let go of me and I feel like going back to this old yet still loved series... even though the Alola and Galar series are grating me. I really don't like Ash's new looks. The one up to Kalos was better. That we're back to following the episodes instead of dealing with the movies help a lot.

And is it me or did Ash just lose his first Gym Battle since the series started ?

On another note, I have decided to move the seroes to AO3. There are several reasons for that. One: Fanfiction is getting filled with adds that are bothering my reading. Two: I can actually link music tracks, which is going to help a lot given how much I rely on it. Three: generally speaking, AO3's format is easier to read. I'll still update here, though.

I hope you don't mind too much. See you soon !