Author's Note: So I kind of left you guys hanging as to why Kanto has two channels and no, I'm not regretting it. I want to say that I originally didn't intend for this story to go on for as long as it did. What I mean is that with the Pokémon numbers in the Pokédex, I expected people to guess right away and have it done *looks at publish date* before Halloween. Obviously, that didn't happen. Anyway, if you think that this story will have Ash's Kalos journey, it really won't happen. I knew early on that when I would write this story, it wouldn't end up really following the anime. If you want to see me write Ash journeying through Kalos, go to my profile. The circumstances are different, but I have some future stories doing so. I also became inspired to write this story after the death of comedian Robin Williams in 2014. I also don't intend to make this story long and I know everyone's definitions of long are different. I plan on making 14-16 chapters (total) and stopping there. There is no guarantee on the amount of chapters it will have, so be prepared for anything.
Okay, with that out of the way, I only own OCs, Santalune High, the Viridian Gazette, and the storyline.
Chapter 4: Gym Updates and a Long Day
(Ketchum residence. Third person P.O.V.)
Ash has eaten breakfast. He turns to channel 55 to see the updates on any trainers. There are updates, but the first person isn't anyone he knows. Channel 57 is a weather channel. Channel 58 is a documentary channel and it is currently showing a Pikachu.
"This seems interesting," Ash says.
"We are going to see where Pichu and Pikachu come from," the host says. The scene then switches to a Raichu and a Ditto at a breeding center.
"I thought this was supposed to be a T-rated story!" Ash shouts.
IT IS. I'M STOPPING THERE.
"I thought you were making this longer than 4 chapters," Ash says.
DO YOU WANT THIS TO BECOME AN M-RATED STORY?
"No," Ash answers.
GOOD. MOVING ON.
Ash looks around for the remote and changes it to channel 65. Channel 65 is Kanto's history channel. Channel 64 is a soap opera channel. Channel 63 is a news channel, but it's in another language. Channel 62 is a Pokémon Baccer channel.
"Kanto doesn't have a team," Ash says.
I DIDN'T SAY THAT IT DID.
"Oh," Ash replies.
Channel 61 is Kanto's Contest channel. Channel 60 is Kanto's political network. Channel 59 shows how some of Kanto's products are made, which doesn't really grab Ash's attention. Channel 58 is a science channel, but it's in another language. Channel 57 is a crime drama channel. Ash stops at channel 56, which is the channel that updates trainers about gyms and their leaders.
"We now head to Pewter City where on-site visiting reporter Alexa Paquet is. Alexa?" a broadcaster said. In the top left corner, there is a box that reads: Pre-taped. Events may not be accurate as of subsequent broadcasts.
"Thanks, Nicole. I'm here at the Pewter gym, interviewing one of Kanto's youngest gym leaders. So Forrest, who would you say inspired you to become a trainer?" Alexa said.
"I'd have to say my brother, Brock," Forrest began, but was cut off by none other than Brock himself.
"Alexa, my beauty. I've been waiting for this day to meet such a shining face as," Brock began, but was also cut off.
"Croa-gunk!" Brock's Croagunk said, Poison Jabbing his trainer.
"Maybe I need to wait a little longer," Brock said as he fell to the ground. Croagunk began dragging Brock away. Forrest sweat-dropped at this.
"Okay. Um, you were saying?" Alexa asked.
Forrest went on to say that Brock had inspired him because he (Brock) knew how to handle obstacles. A different reporter was on for Cerulean City with the Sensational Sisters. Tracey and Daisy tied the knot, Violet announced her engagement to Will of the Johto Elite 4 and Lily announced that she and Dorian were dating.
As for Misty?
"I'm not in a relationship right now," she said. That was all Ash wanted to hear. Ash had lunch and continued to watch. Lt. Surge was taking time off to be with family. Erika announced that she was getting engaged to her longtime boyfriend, Jacob Matthews. Sabrina had revealed that she and her husband Trent Matthews would be expecting their first child. Janine announced that she was dating Falkner of the Violet Gym. Blaine was revealed to have passed away and left the gym and his Pokémon to his son, Glenn. The Viridian Gym had an official leader in the form of Mei Ivy. Alexa left after lunch to check on Viola.
(Outskirts of Pallet Town)
"Come on, Vi, pick up," Alexa says on her Holo Caster.
"Hey, Lexa. What's up?" Viola says.
"I saw your interview at the Chateau," Alexa says.
"Yeah? If April would've recorded what happened afterwards, the ratings for 'Gym Freaks' would go through the roof!" Viola says, chuckling slightly.
"What happened?" Alexa asks.
"Eh. Korrina and Olympia were arguing. Valerie managed to restrain Olympia and I managed to do the same with Korrina. Then Malva and Siebold were arguing after Grant said that you don't hear them doing it and lemme tell you, Malva was pissed," Viola says.
"Did Siebold put his foot in his mouth?" Alexa guesses.
"Big time. They argue like an old married couple," Viola answers.
"We're not old or married. Viola, who are you talking to?" a male voice enters the conversation.
"Hi, Siebold. Not that I don't find your arguments interesting with Malva, but I was trying to catch up with Viola," Alexa says to the Water Elite.
"I was just stating my opinion," Siebold says.
"So, how are mom and dad?" Alexa asks once she sees Siebold leaving in the background.
"Mom's doing well. She's catching up with Mr. Younts," Viola replies. Avery Younts is one of their mom's family friends and a retired guide for the Santalune Gym.
"That's good. As for Dad?" Alexa asks.
"I don't know. I see him later on," Viola answers. Alexa and Viola's father (known as Dr. Paquet to others) is the principal at Alexa and Viola's alma mater: Santalune High.
"Why are you going there in the summer?" Alexa asks.
"Dad's trying to catch up on paperwork so I agreed to meet him there," Viola answers.
Alexa sighs and says, "He can be such a workaholic. I call them later tonight."
"Should I tell them?" Viola asks.
"No. I want it to be a surprise," Alexa answers.
"Okay. I won't tell. Bye, Lexa," Viola says, ending the call. Alexa takes off the device and puts it away.
(Back at the Ketchum residence)
The day seems to be going slowly for our hero. Ash is downstairs on the computer, looking at a general site when something catches his eye. It's a headline from the Viridian Gazette, one of Kanto's main newspapers. Unfortunately, the screen is acting up and only part of the headline is seen.
FOMR CHAMP AD KTC FD
Below the headline, a link appeared and Ash clicked it. Ash was able to read the full headline.
FORMER CHAMPION ADAM KETCHUM FOUND
Ash began to read the text.
According to an anonymous source, former champion Adam Ketchum has finally been found, or has he come out and it was missed? Adam Ketchum (better known as "Red") was known for taking the league by storm and eventually becoming champion at 11. After an incident in Hoenn, Ketchum, and his fellow 3 dexholders returned home. Ketchum stepped down as champion and Lance Grayson took the title once again. Kelly Green settled down with Roman Wall and together, they had a daughter named Leaf. Wall left the Greens shortly after Leaf's birth. Bryce Oak (better known as "Blue") also settled down with May Alton and had a son named Garrett. Bryce Oak passed away due to a heart attack in his sleep according to Oak's sister, Daisy. May took the loss hard. Allison Yellow dated Ketchum and broke up. According to Yellow, Ketchum had his eye on her (Yellow's) cousin Delia. After an unknown period of time, Ketchum proposed to Yellow (Delia) and she accepted. They had a son and named him Ash. When asked about the name, Red answered,
"I just thought I'd keep it simple. Funny thing is, when Blue and I were coming back home, I was hit by a stray Ember. I suffered some first degree burns and my shirt was covered in, what else? Ash. Ash had a little bit of hair on his head and it looked like a wildfire. He inherited the color from me and so I just came up with 'Ash' on the spot. Delia was a little upset (I called it postpartum hormones at the time) that we didn't make Ash short for anything," Ash reads in a murmur. Ash doesn't read the rest and he sighs.
'Guess you're still out there. People thought you were up there, but they were wrong,' Ash thinks to himself as he goes into the kitchen for dinner.
(Meanwhile in Johto)
"My son could be suicidal?" a black-haired man shouts.
"Chill out, Ketchum!" a red-haired man shouts back.
"Stop it, both of you. Arceus damn it, you're acting like you were when we were younger," a brunette says.
"Go on, Lucy," a blonde says.
"It'd be better if I explain," a younger brunet pipes up.
"Oh? What makes you so sure?" another brunette says.
"Just listen to what Gary has to say," a third brunette says. Her gaze immediately shifts to the woman breaking up the Fighter and the Exchanger. The woman is the Evolver.
Lucy clears her throat, getting the Evolver's attention. "I think they know Ash pretty well," the Pike Queen says. The Evolver looks at them.
"Green, what the fuck is happening?" the Exchanger asks.
"For once, I'm agreeing with Silver," the Fighter says.
"Hello, Red. Silver," the third brunette says. Her eyes lock with the Evolver's. "Hello, mother."
(Leaf's P.O.V.)
We hadn't heard from Ash in a while and we ran into Lucy. Gary and I asked her what was going on and she told us on the way. Gary and Ash were lucky. After Blue's death, Gary still had his mother, aunt and Professor Oak. After Red "disappeared" (from what we were told), Ash still had his mom. My father walked out on us and mom tried to track him down. So guess who became an orphan?
Anyway, we're in some meeting room at the foot of Mt. Silver. Red and Silver are arguing, Yellow is trying to maintain peace, Crystal is trying to stay awake and my mother is staring at me looking like a Magikarp.
Gary clears his throat. "Leaf and I are here because we thought we'd tell you what we know about Ash's mental state," he says. It's not much, but we say what we can.
"Shit. It's my fault," Red says, slamming his fists on the table. The door on the opposite side opens.
"Would you kindly keep it down in there? I'm trying to talk some sense into my fellow… Leaf?" a voice says.
I look up. Carmine hair, black and red outfit.
"Lance," Gary says. Lance looks at us.
"Garrett. Leaf. To what do I owe this visit?" Lance asks.
I don't say anything, causing him to sigh and leave. He closes the door.
"What the fuck just happened?" Silver asks. I let an amused smirk appear on my face. I knew that there was a reason I liked him.
(Back in Kanto. Delia's P.O.V.)
"Ash, are you alright?" I ask.
Ash is eating slowly. He takes a sip of his water. "I'm fine, Mom," he says. Before I can question it, the phone rings.
"Ketchum residence, this is Delia," I say.
"Just the person I wanted to hear from," a worried voice says.
I look at the screen. "Daisy, what's wrong?" I ask.
"My father and sister-in-law are on a research trip in the Sevii Islands. I called Gary to let him know that dinner was ready, but he wasn't there," she says.
"Did you check with Kelly?" I ask.
"I just got off the phone with her and she said that Leaf left, too," she says.
Kelly had been checked in and out of hospitals when Leaf was 3 and Leaf ended up becoming a ward.
"I haven't seen them," I say. I look at the table and notice Ash's plate isn't there, nor is he. He walks into the kitchen.
"Thought I'd go outside for a bit. Who's on the phone?" he asks.
"It's Daisy. Have you seen Leaf or Gary lately?" I ask. He shrugs and goes upstairs.
(Ash's P.O.V.)
I think of the place.
(Flashback begin)
"Where are we going?" Gary asked.
"Come on, dad, tell us!" I said. Dad said he was taking us somewhere.
"Do you want me to ruin the surprise?" he asked.
"No," we chorused.
It looked like a mountain and Gary and I raced off.
"Hey, what are you two doing here?" a security guard boomed.
"Sorry about that. They're with me," Dad said. "I thought I'd take my son and his friend to see this place," he finished.
"Route 22 wasn't always like this. It's a good place to train Flying-types," Gary said. "That's what my grandpa said that my dad would do," he added.
"When we had the chance, Blue and I would race on Pidgeot and Aero," Dad said.
(Flashback end)
My walkie talkie goes off.
"Ash. Come in, Ash. Over," Gary says.
I pick it up. "Hey Gary. Your aunt's looking for you and Leaf. Over," I say.
"I know. We went to Johto and I thought we'd be back by dinner. Over," he says.
"I don't know if Mom's still on the phone," I say, only to be interrupted.
"Ash! Daisy wants to talk to you about Gary!" Mom shouts.
"Your aunt wants me to talk to her. What do I do? Over," I say.
"Tell her that Leaf and I took the scenic route. Over," Gary says.
I hear some bits and pieces of them bickering.
"By 'scenic route', Gary means we're lost and will be back by nightfall. Can you pass the message on, Ashy-boy? Over," Leaf says.
I chuckle. "10-4, Leaf. Over," I say. I go downstairs after shoving it into my back pants pocket.
I take the phone from Mom.
"Gary and Leaf got lost, Ms. Oak. They'll be back by nightfall," I say.
"Thank you, Ash," she says.
"I'm going to go to bed," I say. I go up to my room and Pikachu follows. I shower, change and take a breath. I go out for a few seconds to look at the wall calendar. Next week has a date circled. Mom keeps a chart next to it. I look at next Wednesday's date. Ash: oral surgeon. 2:15pm. Why am I seeing one of those?
"Hey, mom?" I call. I head downstairs.
"Hm, what is it sweetie?" she asks.
"Why am I seeing an oral surgeon?" I ask.
"To have your wisdom teeth removed," she answers simply.
"Why can't Dr. Slate do it?" I ask.
"She's doing it," she answers.
"Oh. Thanks mom," I say. I go back upstairs.
(Later on that night. 9pm. Third person P.O.V.)
Ash remembers the way to Route 22. He has a plan, he just needs to write the note and wait.
"In other news, the past contenders of the Indigo League will get to compete once again to challenge champion Trent Matthews," a news anchor says.
Ash sighs. Should he stick around to battle?
'Trent's got a tough team. Why should I try to battle him? Why should I battle? Why should I bother anymore?' Ash thinks. He pulls out a small stopwatch and makes sure Pikachu is asleep. He sets and starts it.
'Just two hours. I'll be fine because of how I slept today,' Ash thinks to himself. Ash remembers a poem his grandfather recited.
There's nothing whatever the matter with me,
I'm just as healthy as I can be.
I have arthritis in both my knees,
And when I talk, I talk with a wheeze.
My pulse is weak, and my blood is thin,
But I'm awfully well, for the shape I'm in
I think my liver is out of whack,
And a terrible pain is in my back.
My hearing is poor, my sight is dim,
Most everything seems to be out of trim -
But - I'm awfully well for the shape I'm in.
I have arch supports for both my feet,
Or I wouldn't be able to go on the street.
Sleeplessness I have, night after night,
And in the morning I'm just a sight!
My memory is failing, my head's in a spin -
I'm peacefully living on aspirin...
But - I'm awfully well for the shape I'm in.
The moral is, as this tale we unfold,
That for you and me who are growing old
It's better to say, "I'm fine," with a grin
Then to let them know the shape we're in.
Ash smiles, as if in victory. 'I was able to do it. I was able to say 'I'm fine' with a grin than to let Mom know the shape I'm in,' Ash thinks to himself. It had been a long day and Ash knew it.
Author's Note: That was the poem "I'm Fine" by the late Cardinal Richard Cushing. Now, when I had the younger brunet offer his explanation, how many of you thought I meant Forrest or some other brunet? Anyway, as you noticed, I put a Croagunk Poison Jabbing Brock scene in. I couldn't resist! When I said that events may not be accurate of subsequent broadcasts, you probably remembered me saying in chapter 3 that Lucy and Brock are married. Well, that broadcast took place before chapter 3. Oh yeah, when Ash said, 'up there', how many of you thought I meant Mt. Silver? While Adam/Red has been training there, that's not what I meant. When Ash said, 'up there' he meant that he wasn't sure if his father was dead or not. When Ash said 'out there', I meant on a journey. The Unova and Kalos dexholders will not be in this. Oh and Ash's grandfather has only been mentioned in the Japanese original. I just thought I'd mention that. Oh and when I said that Ash had a walkie talkie, I mean the kinds you might have played with when you were younger. Seriously, just Google 'toy walkie talkie' and you'll get results. Anyway, my brother and I would play with those and we'd say 'over' at the end and yes, if the sentence ended in 'over' (which it never did for us), we would say 'over' after a 3 second pause. 10-4 is basically saying, 'message received' or 'I heard you.' While Red trains on Mt. Silver in the games, this is the Red from Adventures. I just like the whole idea.
Recap:
~Ash's name origin is revealed.
~Silver is revealed to be alive.
~Leaf's father is revealed to have left her and her family whereas her mother was checked in and out of hospitals. Not mental hospitals, just the regular kind.
~Ash broke the fourth wall.
~Blaine is revealed to be deceased.
~May (Oak) is revealed to be alive in this story.
…I know I gave different names in chapter two; namely, Titus and Tara. I will rewrite chapter 2 when I get the chance. Titus and Tara aren't Fire-type trainers. Now, some of you may or may not be reading Rising Hunters. For any of the 767 of you reading (this story) that may also be a part of the audience for Rising Hunters (there are 235 viewers for that story), Dr. Slate's name may ring a bell. It should because it's the same Dr. Slate!
That's pretty much all I have to say for this chapter. So as always, R and R, F and F, vote and ask.
Bye!