Chapter 44: The Youngest Champion

Ash Ketchum was a heavy sleeper and considering he was out late at night with the Rangers to search for the Galactic hideout there was no way he was waking early today.

Yawning loudly he finally woke up at around 10 A.M in the morning only to find Pikachu sleeping soundly on his corner of the bed, Ash smiled softly seeing his oldest partner so relaxed and thought of going back to sleep himself but he chose otherwise.

Getting out of bed slowly so he doesn't wake up the yellow furball he tiptoed his way to the bathroom where he freshened up and came out drenched in water. Ash Ketchum was never muscular but he always had an athletic body and years of training and traveling had started to show effect as some muscles had started to show on the sixteen year's body.

Ash glanced at the clock

[10:30 better wake Pikachu up.] he told himself.

"Bud rise and shine." he called out immediately waking up the electric mouse.

"Pika Pika"

"Good morning to you too buddy sleep well?" Ash asked while slipping on a pair of jeans and a black hoodie.

"Pika." replied the mouse cheerfully.

"Good now go clean up we should get going now we promised to meet Clemont and Bonnie today remember." Ash reminded as the mouse quickly entered the bathroom.

Ash smiled at the pace his partner ran in to clean himself as he thought

[He must be excited to see them again it's been 4 years since we properly met.]

Knowing Pikachu will take around 20 minutes Ash decided to meditate in order to practice his Aura control.

Ash learned how to control Aura fairly recently 2 years to be exact although he could manipulate aura much earlier than that back then his control over his aura was very crude.

Going outside in the balcony to get some air Ash sat down with crossed legs and did a simple breathing exercise thought to him by his teachers back in Rota which helped him sooth his aura.

With each breath, Ash felt the flow of Aura around him increase until it reached a point where ash could have a complete map of his surroundings in his head.

A casual Aura practitioner could sense up to a few 100 meters but because Ash was somewhat of a prodigy child in Aura he could easily sense up to a few 1000 meters of his surroundings given some time.

In 20 minutes Ash could just about reach his limit but he stopped because he felt Pikachu walk-in close to him.

Ash opened his eyes and gave Pikachu a head pat as he stood up ready to leave to visit his friend/gym leader.

"Let's go bud," Ash said as Pikachu climbed upon his shoulder and the young Champion started walking towards the door.

He opened the door only to be greeted by Stone who was standing outside his door for what seemed like a while to Ash.

"Stone what are you doing here?" he asked in surprise.

[I don't recall telling him I had plans to go out today.] was Ash's first thought.

"Frost and Rain stole mine and Ember's task of visiting the shipping company so yeah I am free for the day." Stone replied.

[Okay so that explains why he is here, but how did he know I was awake.]

"You going out?" Stone asked the boy as he saw the clothes he was wearing.

"Huh! Yeah yeah I am going to visit my friends here in Lumious, Clemont and his younger sister." Ash replied as he snapped out of his thoughts.

"Ah yes, the inventor and the gym leader Bonnie right." Stone said as he remembered the blonde girl from the Prism Tower.

"Correct," Ash said.

"Look Ash I don't want to be that guy but I have been tasked to protect you by my leader so I can't let you out of my sights..." Stone began.

"I understand you can come with me." Ash completed as he realized what Stone was trying to say.

"Thanks for understanding." Stone said as he picked up his briefcase.

Ash saw that case and said, "One condition, don't bring a gun with you, I can protect you and myself well enough with Aura I don't need such crude methods." Ash stated clearly as Pikachu also nodded his head in agreement.

Stone smiled as he said, "Alright I will leave this in the car if that is fine with you."

"I would appreciate that." Ash returned the smile as they started making their way to the Garage.

Stone got a white SUV and drove it in-front of Ash and Pikachu who got in the front seat.

"Prism Tower?" Stone politely Asked Ash for the destination.

Ash nodded as he said, "Yes but we need to make a detour first."

30 minutes later the two of them and Pikachu were standing in front of what looked like an electrician's shop.

Before Stone could ask why they were at a place like this Ash entered the shop using the door ringing the bell attached to the door in the process.

Stone considered waiting outside but chose otherwise as he entered just behind Ash.

"Meyer! Clemont! anybody home." Ash called out.

"PIKA PIKA!" added Pikachu from Ash's shoulder.

"Coming." came a voice from behind the many shelves of electronic parts inside the shop.

Soon a man in his late thirties walked out and greeted

"Ash Ketchum oh it's been a while how are you son," Meyer said as he hugged Ash.

Ash returned the gesture and replied "I am fine Meyer how are you these days? By the way, he is Stone a Pokemon ranger assigned to me while I stay in Lumious."

Meyer who had separated from Ash said "Oh! I see and I am fine, Clemont is upstairs if you wish to talk to him but you have to wake him up first."

As Ash thanked Meyer he made his way upstairs but when Stone tried to do the same he stopped him by grabbing Stone's shoulder.

"What are you doing here?" Meyer asked in a completely different tone.

Stone's expression also changed as he replied "Work, and that is all you are getting out of me vigilante."

Meyer calmed down after hearing about his alter ego Blaziken Mask as he said: "Whatever your people are up to here please keep my children out of it."

Stone looked at Meyer seriously as he replied: "Don't worry our work doesn't involve any of them."

Meyer calmed down visibly as he sighed and allowed Stone to proceed.

Inside the upper floor of the shop, Ash entered a room and proceeded to wake up the sleeping blonde from his slumber on the workbench.

"Clemont get up man we need to go meet Bonnie as well," Ash said while shaking the sleeping man.

As Stone entered the room watching his head on the short door he saw the boy in question wake up.

"Huh oh it's Ash...wait ASH woah nice to meet you brother it's been a while Bonnie told me you were in town," Clemont said as he jolted awake.

"Bonnie should have also told you we were supposed to meet today didn't she tell you?" Ash asked with Pikachu on his shoulder.

Clemont laughed sheepishly as he said, "No she told it was my fault as I forgot about it and went to work on my new backpack."

Ash sighed as he thought [Well he hasn't changed much.]

Ash added, "Well now that you are awake get changed we need to go to the gym to meet Bonnie as well last time I was busy so I couldn't meet her properly."

"Alright... wait have me met before you seem familiar," Clemont said as he eyed Stone.

Stone's back straightened a bit as he replied: "No this is our first meeting, my name is Stone I am Ash's escort while he is in the Kalos region, it's a pleasure meeting you."

"I see sorry I must have mistook you for someone else and the pleasure is all mine," Clemont said as he stood up to go freshen up.

Thirty minutes later Clemont, Stone, and Ash started to leave the shop as Stone and Clemont were first to leave Ash stayed behind when Meyer called him out.

"Ash what is your business with these people?" he got straight to the point much to Ash's surprise.

"I am sorry Meyer it's Champion business I am not a liberty to discuss it." Ash truthfully replied.

"Whatever it is just be careful these people are trouble," he warned Ash as Stone called out.

"Ash you coming?"

"Yeah, just a sec." he shouted back as he answered to Meyer.

"I will, thanks for the heads up."

Ash did not have time to ask for specifics right now so he decided to leave. Since Ash already knew about Meyer's secret he didn't question the man further.

Back in the car Ash and Clemont talked about each other's life and about how much the both of them had changed while Stone quietly drove them to their desired destination.

Now outside prism tower, Ash and Clemont stepped out the car but Stone didn't when Ash questioned him about this he replied that Ash could spend some time alone with his friends as long as they were in Prism tower and that he could stay behind so Ash can enjoy fully.

"You can join us Stone any acquaintance of Ash is always welcome," Clemont said as he asked Stone to join them.

"Well if you insist." Stone said as he stepped out to join them.

The walk to the gym was short and they soon met up with Bonnie who was in a black tracksuit with white strips training with her Pokemon inside the gym.

"ASH!" she yelled in excitement as she ran and hugged the elder boy.

"Hey Bonnie how are you sorry I could not meet you before," Ash said as he hugged the girl back.

"No worries you know that day I got to meet the Champion of Sinnoh that day." Bonnie replied with equal excitement."

"I see you met Cynthia that's nice."

"Is this guy your escort?"

"Yes Bonnie his name is Stone, but how did you know he was an escort," Ash said.

"Oh, Cynthia had a guy with him too ... Yeah, Frost was his name." Bonnie answered.

"It is a pleasure to meet you Gym Leader," said Stone to the much younger girl.

"Oh please call me Bonnie I am the Gym Leader because this guy is mostly invested in his inventions." Bonnie clarified as she pointed at Clemont.

"Hehehe." chuckled Clemont.

Bonnie sighed at his Brother as Pikachu jumped in her arms to meet her.

"Oh, I missed you too Pikachu, come on let us go the lounge and get some snacks you guys must be hungry," Bonnie said as the group followed her to the elevator and then to a private lounge in Prism tower.

The doors of the elevator opened revealing an extravagant room on the same level of luxury as the suites in Luminous Pride.

Stone whistled looking at the room in front of him.

"The perks of being the Gym Leader," Bonnie said proudly as she showed them around to the kitchen area where Sandwiches were kept on a plate enough for everyone there.

"Help yourselves out." She announced cheerily as both Ash and Clemont jumped in.

Stone took a single sandwich after some persuasion from Bonnie and after their meal, all four of them were hanging out on the couches there with Clemont initiating the topic.

" So Ash how is it being the Champion of Kanto I heard you also became the Champion of Alola after you left Kalos."

"Yeah, a lot happened after Kalos... the Alolan League the world tour ..." Ash stopped speaking as if he remembered a bad thought.

"Hey, Ash you spaced out." Said Bonnie as Ash snapped out.

"Oh yeah sorry, I just remembered something nothing important," Ash replied hastily.

He was able to fool the siblings but Stone who was a trained individual caught his little lie.

[He is clearly hiding something.] Stone summarized as the conversation continued.

"So Bonnie I don't see much challengers at the gym." asked Ash in order to switch topics.

"Yeah as the Kalos League just finished the new batch of competitors haven't gotten enough badges to challenge me yet so it's quiet around here, I do get few people to Train here and there but nothing more." Said Bonnie.

Clemont smirked as he added, "Well that is one reason the other reason is that last time Bonnie had the most number of wins then all the gym Leaders in Kalos if she displays a similar performance this season as well the PLA might consider increasing the badge requirement to challenge her from next year."

"Wow Bonnie that's amazing I am proud of you," Ash said as he patted the girl's head.

Bonnie flushed red in embarrassment but was very happy because of the praise given to her by both of her brotherly figures.

Pikachu showed excitement in his own way by rubbing his cheeks with Bonnie's.

"Thanks, Pikachu."

"Where is Dedenne I don't see him here?" asked Ash.

"Oh he stays with dad and helps him with his work Clemont and I figured he was more helpful there than in the battleground." Bonnie replied.

" I see..." said Ash.

Stone who was just listening the whole time suddenly felt his Pokegear vibrate as he excused himself from the group and went to pick up the call.

"What's up Sparky any word from Frost." Stone said.

"Yes Leader and Big sis sent us a present in the form of the shipping company's manager, I need you back here to interrogate him."

"Copy I am on my way, but I have to leave Ash alone is that cool?"

"As long as he isn't alone it should be fine."

Stone glanced at the smiling faces of the children there and thought

[He will be fine.]

"Copy I am on my way." Stone replied as the call disconnected.

Stone joined the group again and said

"Sorry, guys I need to go have some business to take care of Ash just give me a call after you are done here and I will send someone to pick you up." Stone said as Ash stood up and came close to Stone.

"Is this about Galactic?" he asked.

"Yes but don't worry you can enjoy time here I will call you after I am done to keep you updated."

"Thanks, Stone." said Ash as left to join his friends again.

With Stone gone it was just the three of them left with Pikachu of course.

"So Ash do you speak with Serena much lately?" Bonnie asked with her cheerfully voice, as usual, the girl was very happy that the three of them were together again after such a long time.

Ash's expression stiffened a bit but it did not get noticed by the younger girl only by Clemont who was looking at Ash carefully.

[Bonnie doesn't know what happened between the two.] Clemont thought.

"No Bonnie the Champion life is very tough and busy what about you did you catch up with her."

"Ya, we stay in touch although she only replies when she is free, being the queen of Kalos is not easy."

Ash was about to say something but Bonnie's pokegear vibrated and her expression immediately lit up.

"Oh wait I have got a surprise for you two, I'll be right back," said Bonnie as she left the room in a hurry.

Both men looked at each other confused when Clemont asked

"So you and Serena still aren't on talking terms?"

"Ya... it is a long story," replied Ash with a sigh before he continued

"Actually I need a favor."

"Yes."

"You saw Stone just now didn't you?"

"I mean he is a huge man so he is kinda hard to notice." Clemont joked as Ash smiled lightly.

"I need everything you can find on him, like EVERYTHING," Ash said.

Clemont looked at his friend suspiciously before he asked

"Is everything alright it isn't like you to be this worried about something, the younger you was not this calculating."

"Well a lot has changed over the years I guess and so have I."

"Also I need to ask you whether you found anything on my previous favor." Ash continued this time with hope in his eyes.

Clemont's expression darkened as he looked away from Ash "I was going to come to that as well and no nothing on her at all, Ash all the evidence from the plane crash points to the fact that well..." Clemont stopped as he saw the hope in Ash's eyes disappear.

"She isn't dead Clemont... she can't be." Ash replied as he looked upon the ceiling in frustration.

Clemont had been researching about a plane crash that happened about 3 years ago, Ash wanted him to find something or someone to be exact.

"Ash as a friend I am gonna be straight with you... (sigh) Anabel is dead and I am sorry but she is, I don't wanna see you waste your life clinging on to her like this, you should move on she would want you to do the same."

"I am sorry Clemont... I can't do that... not when she could be still out there," replied Ash to Clemont who was visibly annoyed by this.

"Ash don't do this to yourselves..." he began but was cut by Ash.

"Thanks for the help Clemont I appreciate it don't worry about Anabel I can handle that myself just occupy yourself with the Stone matter." Ash replied in a hurry completely ignoring Clemont's plea.

Clemont sighed as he knew that Ash younger or older will not give up on something he believed in even if it killed him, so he decided to leave it at that.

"Fine, I will see what I can find about him."

"Thank you, my friend."

Few seconds had passed when Clemont continued

"You know she is the reason why Serena doesn't talk to you."

"I know..." Ash replied sadly.

"Have you tried talking to her?"

"No... the last time we talked was when she argued about Anabel." Ash said as he sipped a glass of water.

Ash wanted to ask how she was doing but did not as he couldn't muster the courage.

"Well I talked to her on the phone about a week ago and she is doing fine." Clemont said as if reading Ash's mind.

"I see... well that is nice, isn't it Pikachu."

"Pika Pikachu." replied the mouse who was just eavesdropping on the two of them from behind the couch.

Clemont looked at the mouse with a smile as he continued his conversation with Ash

"Well enough of the gloomy stuff at least sort things with Serena because I am tired of lying to Bonnie and also she is not a small child anymore one of these days she will figure it out so whatever you do, do it fast."

"Duly noted and thanks for not telling her she, I wouldn't want her to worry herself over this." Ash said.

"Yeah she is like that isn't she, well as long as all three of you aren't in the same room I guess I can keep her in the dark for some more time." Clemont said as he also sipped some water.

"Well, you and I know that won't be happening for a while now so you can breath easy," Ash said as he patted Clemont's shoulder.

While the two of them were exchanging smiles the door of the room opened and out came Bonnie giggling like a 5-year-old child.

"It's nice to see you guys are getting along, and I want to make this moment even more cheerful by bringing in a special guest." Bonnie presented like a host of a TV show amusing the two guys.

"Ladies and Gentlemen may I present to you the Queen of Kalos herself Serena Yvonne," Bonnie said as she pointed behind her and out came a very familiar brunette.

"Hi Clemont, Hi..." she paused as she locked eyes with a certain someone in the room.

"Serena..." Ash said dumbstruck.

Clemont had whited out after seeing Serena and Ash staring at each other and Bonnie was just plain confused the excitement she expected was nowhere to be found.

This was going to be an interesting encounter for everyone present.

Author's Notes:-

Haha I finally introduced Anabel but she is dead... well presumed dead of course... yeah sorry about that. Well, one thing is for sure few die-hard fans must have realized what version of Anabel I am gonna use and that is good. Sorry, this chapter took so much time I was not sure about this one, to be honest, and to be honest I think I still am not but who cares about small doubts sometimes you just gotta believe in yourselves and say "F*ck it!" I mean what could go wrong. Enough of that my Laptop is finally fixed and I would love to see your guy's reactions in the reviews and please don't feel shy to ask questions you can PM me and I will see to your queries. Well enough of this, I will see you guys in the next one. Love you guys as always.

PEACE