Cynthia was sat behind her desk, but she wasn't working. She had spun her chair around and was gazing out of the window behind her. It was very rare for her to be distracted like this, but she felt the situation justified it. Gary Oak was due to arrive in less than two hours and she had absolutely no idea how to explain to him that she had no idea where his grandfather was.
Since they had arrived back from the wilds two weeks earlier, Ash had said he would keep searching but she could tell that he wasn't hopeful. His reaction when he had gotten back told her that he had been hoping for something more from their trip. She had offered to help, but he had refused. There was nothing else that they could do except hope that a clue appeared. It had been unusual to see Ash frustrated, in the last five years she had almost never seen him show emotion. His control was incredible, but it was close to cracking.
She had received a message from her superior two days earlier, explaining that it was time to tell Gary. Cynthia had been resigned to waiting for it after a week – she knew that if they hadn't found the Professor by then, odds are they wouldn't. But it was still a shock to receive an admittance of failure.
Behind Cynthia on her desk, there was a sudden buzzing. Cynthia spun her chair around to see the phone ringing. A glance at the caller ID showed it was from reception downstairs. She picked it up.
"Cynthia."
"Miss Shirona, there is somebody here to see you." The receptionist said.
"Gary Oak?" Cynthia asked.
"No. A woman. She wants to speak to the Pokémon Master. She said there is something that he needs to know."
Cynthia didn't say anything, thinking hard. It wasn't uncommon for people to appear, asking to see Champion, and to concoct a story in the hope it might capture his attention. Part of her job was to fend them off, but under the circumstances it would be foolish to ignore the person.
"Send her up to me." Cynthia said, coming to a decision. She needed to know what this person thought they knew, just in case it turned out to be useful.
A few minute later there was a knock on the door.
"Come in." Cynthia called. The door opened and a woman walked in. She was slim, but clearly athletic, dressed in clothes that were clearly designed to be worn outside. Combat trousers, sturdy boots and a well-made jacket, all close fitting and all in colours that would be hard to pick out in a forest. Cynthia took it all in within a few moments as she rose to greet her visitor.
"I was expecting to see Champion?" The woman said as she shook Cynthia's hand.
Cynthia smiled, gesturing towards a seat. "I'm afraid he is not here. He is not usually available for people who just drop in. I assure you, if what you have to tell me is important enough, he will hear it."
The woman nodded before taking the offered chair. "This will be."
As Cynthia took her seat facing her visitor, her thoughts were racing. It was unusual to have somebody come in with this level of confidence. Her belief that this woman might know something was increasing with every moment.
"What did you want to tell him?" Cynthia asked.
The woman hesitated. "It is hard to explain. Something is wrong in the world. Wild Pokémon are feeling it."
Cynthia froze. The woman didn't miss it. "You know something about this?" She asked.
Cynthia nodded slowly. "It has come to our attention." Cynthia thought about the incredible onslaught of Pokémon she had faced two weeks earlier. "Where in particular have you noticed this?"
"Outside the regions." The woman said. "This is why I want to bring it to the attention of Champion, instead of the regional leaders."
Cynthia looked at her thoughtfully. "Who are you?"
The woman smiled. "Sorry, I've thrown a lot at you haven't I?" She stood up again and held out her hand. "Let's try this once more. My name is Sonia, I used to be a Pokémon Ranger, but now I just keep tabs on the world."
Cynthia took the proffered hand, smiling. "Keep tabs on the world?"
Sonia took her seat once more. "I became somewhat in tune with the world when I was a ranger, and I kept that going." She gestured to her clothes and grinned. "This isn't what I wear when I go shopping I assure you. I just came back from the Wilds and came straight here."
"By the Wilds you mean outside the regions?" Cynthia asked.
Sonia nodded. "Not many people roam that far out, but it helps me stay more in sync. And something is very wrong."
"Can you give me some idea what it is?" Cynthia asked.
Sonia shook her head. "I'm sorry, but I'm not sure. All I can say for sure is that there was an undercurrent of aggression from the wild Pokémon. Pokémon that are usually friendly towards me were hostile. It was a… chastening experience." Sonia hung her head slightly. "I escaped and came back here. I know he is a private man, but Champion needs to know about this."
Cynthia nodded. "I will inform him. If you leave your contact details with reception on your way out, I will contact you if we need you."
Sonia rose from her chair. "I look forward to hearing from you then." She turned and left, quietly shutting the door behind her.
Cynthia sat for a long time, gazing at the door without saying anything, before she finally moved. She turned to her computer, typing a message. Sonia was right. Ash needed to hear what she had to say.
This time when the receptionist heard the doors open it was Gary Oak who was walking in, alone. As he reached her desk, she started speaking.
"Professor Oak, Cynthia will see you immediately. I assume you still know the way?"
Gary smiled. "Of course." He turned and walked to the lift, taking it up to Cynthia's office once more. He knocked on the door.
"Come on in." Cynthia's voice called. Gary walked into the familiar office, shook Cynthia's hand and sat opposite her behind the desk.
Cynthia took a deep breath. "I'm afraid I have some bad news Gary. There is no easy way to say this, but we cannot find your grandfather."
Gary sat in shock, unmoving. He had expected to arrive and be told that his grandfather was on his way, or even better to find him waiting for him. To be told that they had no idea where he was had not even featured as a possibility in his mind.
"Champion has taken a personal interest in trying to track him down, but he has requested that I inform you that we are officially classifying him as a missing person."
"Where… Where was he last seen?" Gary managed to stammer out.
"More than two hundred miles outside the Hoenn Region." Cynthia said, trying to get sympathy into her voice. "Champion tracked him there but was not able to find any further evidence."
Gary nodded slowly, obviously still trying to process what he had heard. "I would like to see Champion." He said.
"Gary…" Cynthia said gently. "You know he does not do interviews. He has barely been seen in public aside from his annual victories at the World League."
"I don't care." Gary said, force coming into his voice. "I want to see him. I need to hear him explain how he lost my grandfather."
"I cannot guarantee that he will meet you." Cynthia said. "I understand that you are angry but…"
"I'm sorry Cynthia, but you don't understand." Gary said bluntly. "I'll have to explain to one of his oldest friends, a woman who lost her only son thirteen years ago that she has now lost Gramps as well? How do you think she will take it?" He leaned forwards, his voice building in anger. "It took her years to get over losing Ash, and Gramps was one of the reasons she managed it. She's now lost that as well?"
Cynthia sat quietly as Gary ranted. She knew who he was talking about. Delia Ketchum. But she also knew that Delia lived with her allegedly lost son, and she already knew about Oak being missing. She eventually held up a hand to stop Gary.
"I will ask if Champion will meet you. I do not promise that he will, but I will try to convince him that this is important to you."
"Thank you." Gary said. There was a moments silence before he leaned back in his chair. "Cynthia… Sorry for ranting at you."
She smiled. "Don't be. I know you were hoping for good news and I'm sorry I couldn't give it to you."
Her computer let out a noise and she turned to it. It was a message from Champion.
"I will be arriving in Indigo Plateau in the next thirty minutes to discuss what you have learned."
Cynthia turned back to Gary. "That was from Champion. He will be here soon to discuss other business, but if you like I could ask if he would meet you?"
"How long would I have to wait?" Gary asked.
"He'll be here within half an hour, and our meeting shouldn't take too long. So no more than an hour before I can get you an answer."
Gary nodded. "I can wait. Can I borrow the training fields?"
"Trying to get some training in for something?" Cynthia asked.
"I don't get much chance to do so." Gary said. "So yeah, if I have to wait here I may as well make the most of it."
"Then go for it. You know where they are."
"Thanks." Gary said as he rose from his chair. "And thank you for trying with Champion."
Ash strode into his office and sat behind his desk, removing his hat and leaving it in front of him. Espeon and Pikachu had come with him and they took up their usual positions. Espeon slunk into the corner and curled up, pretending to be asleep. Pikachu sat by Ash's feet, out of sight of anybody else but still close to Ash.
It was something that Pikachu had started to do in the last couple of years after he was fully accepted by Ash's team. After he had come back, despite Ash and Espeon fully accepting him, some of the other Pokémon treated him as an extra, somebody who couldn't fight alongside them. They weren't cruel to Pikachu, but he had felt that he did not have their respect. Pikachu had seen how powerful Ash's Pokémon were having watched them in the World League and knew that above all else they respected strength. When he had returned he had started to train with them, under Ash's supervision, but his trainer had refused to let him fight any of them except Espeon, fully aware of how Pikachu was not forgiven by many of the team. Over time Pikachu, who had already been one of the quickest, strongest Pokémon outside of Ash's team got even stronger. Eventually, nearly two years after he had come back he had approached Ash with Espeon. They argued that Pikachu was ready to be allowed to train properly. It had been a long discussion, trying to persuade Ash that the Pokémon who had once left the training regime was ready to come back to it, but they had succeeded. Pikachu had argued that he had not left because of the training but because he was scared of what it was doing to Ash. When he came back he saw that his oldest friend was still just as kind and caring, despite the image that he conveyed to the world. Pikachu had trained with Ash and Espeon, mostly in private. Few of the other Pokémon had realised just how strong Pikachu was becoming. It had been just how the little Electric-Type planned it.
What had finally convinced Ash's Pokémon that Pikachu was ready to be part of their team was a battle that had nearly flattened part of Mystery Island. Pikachu had challenged Charizard to a fight, against Ash's advice. Ash had not even been there when he had issued the challenge, but Espeon had called him and he had seen the end of it. In fact, Espeon and Alakazam were the only reason why parts of the island had survived, as they had used their own power to prevent the fight getting out of hand. It had been the hardest fight Pikachu had ever been in. Charizard had initially started it incredibly arrogant, believing that he could blow away his opponent. When Pikachu had gotten the upper hand early on, Charizard started to try harder. It was a rare sight, to watch Ash's main powerhouse go through the gears while fighting, but Pikachu had brought it out of him. By the time Ash had reached them, both Pokémon were battered but Charizard eventually won out through pure endurance. The final attacks had nearly burned through the barriers that Espeon and Alakazam had put up to protect the surrounding area, only surviving because Ash intervened. At the end Pikachu was out cold while Charizard was on his knees, unable to fully stand. The recovery for both Pokémon had been well over a week, but afterwards Pikachu had what he wanted. The respect of the team.
Ash smiled as Pikachu settled at his feet. It had been a hard road for his starter, but he was now one of Ash's most powerful once again. Although he could never use him in a public battle, in case he was recognized. Ash then turned his attention back to the impending meeting. He usually tried to have his, mercifully rare, meetings with Cynthia here. Whilst both of them knew that he was the stronger trainer, Cynthia was the one who ran a lot of the Pokémon League. It was useful to remind her that he was still her superior at times.
A few minutes later Cynthia approached the office door. It opened as she reached it as it always had, and Ash was sat behind his desk, waiting.
"Cynthia." He said. "You requested a meeting?"
Cynthia took the single chair opposite him. "Yes. Although there are now two things to discuss."
"Gary did not take the news well?"
"I'm afraid not."
"Still, we will cover him second. This woman that came to see you, Sonia. Tell me about her."
Cynthia took a moment to compose herself. She knew that the way she presented Sonia would have a significant impact on how Ash dealt with her.
"She was… unusual." Cynthia started. "She was extremely confident, at least towards me. She said she had been out in the Wilds, but she didn't say why." Cynthia looked at Ash but he showed no signs of interrupting her. "She said that she had noticed that wild Pokémon knew that there was something wrong. She used to be a Ranger and implied that she was on good terms with some wild Pokémon but that they had attacked her. She came here to tell you about it."
Again Cynthia stopped to see if Ash was going to interrupt her but once again he gestured slightly for her to continue.
"When she spoke she made me think of what happened to us. Especially the Pokémon that used to be friendly attacking her. She wants to meet you to discuss it and I think it would be a good idea."
There was a long silence as Ash gazed at Cynthia, almost long enough for her to think she had to say something else before Ash spoke.
"Interesting. Did she say if she had any idea why the wild Pokémon are riled?"
"I'm afraid not." Cynthia said. "She said she didn't know what was wrong with the world, just that it was producing an aggressive reaction."
Ash nodded slowly. "And you think I should meet with her."
It wasn't a question, but Cynthia signalled her assent nonetheless.
"Very well." Ash said. "It would appear that I will be taking a larger role for a brief time. Get her details to me and I will contact her directly."
Cynthia blinked. Of all the things that she had considered possible, this was the least likely. "Are you sure?" She asked then backtracked. "Wait, stupid question. Why?"
"Because she was right. This is beyond your remit, and falls to me to deal with. And so I shall do so."
"But you've spent years trying to avoid meetings exactly like this one." Cynthia argued. "Why take one on now?"
A hint of a smile flashed across Ash's face. "Are you trying to persuade me otherwise?"
"No!" Cynthia said. "I'm just surprised."
"I am not averse to getting involved when it makes sense to do so." Ash said. "Usually you can deal with it, but this makes more sense to come from me. You are the second most influential person in the world, but some things are my responsibility." He kept talking to move on before Cynthia could say anything else. "It is decided. Now, Gary Oak"
"He also wants to meet you." Cynthia said. "He wants an explanation as for how you lost his grandfather."
"I see." Ash said. "I assume that it is him that is training on the fields downstairs?"
"Yes." Cynthia said.
"I shall see him before I leave again today."
"Thank you." Cynthia said, beginning to rise from her chair, before hesitating and sitting back down again.
"Is there anything else?" Ash asked.
"Just…" Cynthia said, before pressing forwards. "You spent years avoiding getting involved in this sort of thing. Agreeing to two meetings in a single day? What's changed?"
"I am the Pokémon Master." Ash said. "And while I delegate as much as I can, I have responsibilities. Sonia appears to have information relating to a threat to all four regions, whilst the Oak situation is a delicate matter that I am best equipped to defuse."
He turned to his computer to type a few things, and Cynthia took the hint. "Thank you Champion." She said, rising to head for the door.
As she reached it, her superior's voice rang out once more.
"Thank you for bringing these to my attention Cynthia. Do not concern yourself about them anymore, I will handle them."
As the door closed behind her, Cynthia let a smile cross her face. For all his public image of aloofness, Ash cared deeply for the world and had never ducked a responsibility that he knew was his. If he said he would deal with the issues, she knew he would do it to the best of his abilities. And once he took charge of them, she knew she didn't have to worry. If anything could be done, he would do it.
Gary stood to the side of the field, watching his Pokémon train. On one side his Umbreon was teamed up with his Arcanine, proving very hard to pin down, whilst his Nidoking and Nidoqueen were battling from the other side, trying to keep their faster opponents away from them. As he watched he called out instructions to improve their style. The battle continued for a few minutes, but it was merely sparring with neither side able to land a solid hit. Gary let his attention wander slightly, knowing that they would carry on fine without him.
Without his grandfather he knew that he would have to change the plans for his wedding. He now needed to talk to Delia Ketchum, but he hadn't seen her face to face for two years. And Misty would need somebody to give her away. Her immediate thought of Brock had been put off by him agreeing to be Gary's best man. Their next suggestion had been his grandfather, as he had become a father to Misty after Ash died. They had assumed that they would be able to find him, but the news that he had vanished meant that they would have to ask the only other person that they had discussed and agreed on. Delia.
Gary's suggestion of one of her sisters had been met by one of the biggest glares yet. He shuddered with the memory of it. Misty got on well with her sisters, and they would have a part to play in her wedding, but she refused to have one of them give her away. When she had needed them when she was younger, they were too unreliable.
However, Delia was not the option that they wanted. Both of them loved her, but the last time they had seen her they felt she was hiding something. She was happier than they could remember seeing her, so they didn't press it, but it wasn't a good sign that she felt she couldn't trust them. Still, she loved them both and in the absence of anybody else she would be honoured to give Misty away.
Gary turned his attention back to his training Pokémon, to see why they had all stopped. On the field between them was an Espeon. She was looking at Gary, her piercing gaze cutting straight through him.
"I'm guessing you are Champion's Espeon?" Gary asked. Espeon didn't react. Her tail flicked, and her eyes flickered from Gary to his Pokémon and back again. He stared.
"You want to fight them?" Espeon nodded slightly, almost imperceptibly. Gary looked around at his Pokémon who were watching the exchange eagerly. "You guys want to give it a go?" Gary asked. Nidoking nodded and pounded his chest. "Alright then. Arcanine, Flamethrower."
Immediately Arcanine leapt into the attack, firing a torrent of flames at Espeon. They stopped as if they hit a wall and burned out. Gary looked at Espeon in surprise and found her still staring at him, her gaze challenging him. She wasn't even looking at the attack she was redirecting.
"Again Arcanine, and Nido's, use Hyper Beam."
The three attacks raced in, but never hit their target. Espeon redirected them around her, firing the two Hyper Beams at Arcanine who leapt out of the way with a strangled yelp. Espeon continued to look at Gary, almost challenging him with her stare.
"Enough." Gary snapped, anger at the Pokémon that just kept staring at him while trashing his team. "Umbreon, she can't redirect your attacks. Use Dark Pulse."
As the attack sped towards Espeon she stood up, arched her back and leapt forwards, the attack just missing her. Before Gary could say anything else a voice rang out.
"Espeon, enough. You know his Pokémon won't be able to touch you."
Gary and his Pokémon turned to see the Pokémon Master striding towards them from across the field. He was dressed in his typical dark and plain clothes, with his iconic hat firmly placed on his head, hiding most of his face. Espeon turned and leapt lightly to her master's side as he reached Gary and held his hand out to be shaken.
"It is good to see you again Professor Oak." Champion said. "I just wish it was under more auspicious circumstances."
"See me again?" Gary asked as he took the proffered hand.
"We met years ago." Champion said. "When I was investigating Miss Waterflower for Pokémon abuse, I interviewed you."
"You remember that?" Gary said in surprise.
"Yes." Champion answered, without elaborating. "Congratulations on your engagement to Miss Waterflower."
"Thank you." Gary said. There was then a moment's silence where he wasn't entirely sure what to say. Having small talk with the Pokémon Master was practically unheard of.
"What did you wish to discuss with me?" Champion asked. "Cynthia said you requested a meeting."
"I… yes." Gary said, stuttering slightly now he was actually faced with Champion. "I wanted to discuss how you managed to lose my grandfather."
Champion nodded. "Firstly, I want to be very clear, while your grandfather gave great service to the Pokémon League in his time, I do not have the resources to track every single person that wishes to explore the world."
"I…" Gary started, but Champion held up his hand.
"Your grandfather is one of those who while I attempt to track, I can lose. As for how he was lost, I'm afraid I cannot give details."
"That is what I want though." Gary said, his voice cracking slightly with emotion. "Details as to where it happened. And how it happened. What happened to him?"
"He was lost roughly 230 miles outside the Hoenn Region." Champion said, his voice calm and level. "My Pokémon were able to track him to his last location, but the trail ends there. I have officially classified him as a missing person."
"Are you still looking for him?" Gary asked.
"Yes. Now I know that he is officially missing, we will continue to search for him until we find him. My Pokémon are the best in the world at finding people; if he can be found he will be."
"I see." Gary said. There was another awkward silence as he thought of what else to say.
"Is there anything else I can help you with?" Champion asked.
"I don't think so…" Gary said, before something crossed his mind. "Actually, yes."
Champion looked at him, waiting for him to sum up his courage to ask whatever was on his mind.
"With my engagement.." Gary started, before stopping and trying again. "Misty and I were wondering…" Gary said before trailing off once more.
"You know what he is going to ask." Espeon said to Ash from his side. "You could help him out."
"You know I won't do that." Ash countered. "He insisted on a meeting with the sole intention of accusing me, and now he is trying to ask me to come to his wedding."
Espeon didn't say anything else, but Ash could almost hear her laughing inside his head.
"Misty and I were wondering," Gary tried again, more confidently. "Given our positions inside the Pokémon League as well as yours, would you be interested in attending our wedding?"
Champion didn't say anything out loud for a moment. Gary immediately started to backtrack not knowing that there was a conversation going on inside Ash's head.
"You should go." Espeon said. "They were your friends once, you would want to be there."
"I couldn't go as a friend." Ash argued. "I could only go as Champion. As the Pokémon Master"
"I don't need an answer now." Gary said. "And you will receive a wedding invitation like the other guests, I just thought since I was here I would ask."
"Say you'll try to make it?" Espeon asked. "You can always think up an excuse."
"When did you become so wise?"
"Stop hiding from them Ash." Espeon scolded. "You don't have to embrace them, but you cannot ignore them. The Pokémon Master should be at the wedding of a Gym Leader and a Regional Professor, whether he likes it or not. Cynthia would have."
"I'm not Cynthia."
"No, but you should be there. At least then it looks like you care."
Champion waited another long moment before taking a deep breath. "I cannot say for certain my responsibilities will enable me to attend, but if I am able to I will come to the ceremony."
And with that he turned and strode away back across the field, leaving Gary staring after him, having received the one answer that he never thought he would to his question.
A/N
Well it has been a few weeks since I left a note here for you all, so it is probably due.
Firstly, thank you to all of you who are reading this. While I am often told I don't have to write as I do it for free, the same applies to you all. You don't have to read it, so thank you for not making my writing pointless! Also, thank you to all who have reviewed or PM me about this. It is always good to get feedback about my work.
On the subject of those reviews, I'll answer a few questions and points from them:
Memyself – You asked how long this story will be and when I'll be updating. At the moment I'm trying to get an update out every Friday, although that may be changing in the near future due to work commitments. Regardless, I'll be trying to get one out a week. As for the length, you are correct it won't be as long as The Lost Master, but it will still be a fairly lengthy tale. Sorry, can't be any more exact than that.
EmperorSalamence – Ash currently has fifteen Pokémon in his team, and I wasn't intending to increase that number. Unlike a lot of stories where Ash captures everything that moves, Ash is a bit different. He has a very powerful team and if he captured any more they would be far weaker.
StorylessPrincess – Mellanie is outspoken and expressive around certain people. Don't forget, she has spent five years around Ash and by extension the regional leaders to an extent. Around strangers she will be more like the character you should recognize from before.
Matthew Johnston – Towards the end of The Lost Master Ash revealed his name to Lance, Steven and Cynthia. I understand how things like that can be forgotten, it was almost a footnote to the ending of the story!
A few people tried to guess who the Pokémon that had betrayed Ash was. It was amusing how many of you immediately assumed legendary Pokémon. They might feature occasionally in this story, but unlike in The Lost Master, they will not be major players.
Finally, a few people have asked about Sam and Mellanie, specifically are they still equals. They are still very similar in strength, but Mellanie is closer to Ash. The reasons for that will become apparent in future chapters, if they haven't already.
Anyway, that is all from me. Until next week.
Iama2p