"Guys, they are back from break." Max shouted. Those who had left came hurrying back as they settled down to watch the end of Zane Zito's show. When Gary had brought the newspaper in they had all agreed that it was something they had to watch. None of them were really convinced by the allegations – it just didn't seem like the Pokémon Master they had all dealt with at some point. The lounge was not designed for quite as many people as it currently held but they managed. May was sat at Drew's feet, while Max, Dawn and Brock were squeezed tight onto a sofa. Misty was perched on the arm of Gary's chair while James and Jessie were leaning against a wall to watch. Professor Oak had been almost silent throughout was sat in his own chair, slightly apart from the others.
"I've had my suspicions for a while." Sonia was saying on TV.
"Something doesn't feel right here." Gary said quietly. "Champion is not that kind of person."
"Yeah, but we only know that because we've met him." Drew said. "Let's face it, unless you've met him personally then these could be true. All you know is that he is super mysterious."
"I…" Gary started, but suddenly Misty's voice cut across hushing him as Sonia spoke again.
"I have never seen the wild so stirred up and it is a trend that has been developing for some time. I consider Champion's behaviour to be largely responsible"
"She's not wrong there." Brock muttered. "I've had more wild Pokémon come in injured as they've just kept attacking. Something is very wrong in the world."
"Doesn't prove anything." Gary said, but his voice was slightly more uncertain.
"Yeah, but he's got big questions to answer." Drew said. "This woman is right, he needs to answer these questions."
May cast a troubled look at her husband. She couldn't find fault with what he was saying, it was a fair point. But something still didn't feel right to her. She had met Champion and he hadn't struck her as the kind of man who would do something like this. In fact if she had to guess, the things he was being accused of were beneath him. He was not a popular person in her family, but the Pokémon Master would never do something like this, she was certain.
"Give Champion the chance to fix things."
"Which he'll most likely do." Professor Oak growled suddenly. The whole room fell silent as they looked at the elderly researcher. He was on the edge of his seat, fixated on the TV almost to the exclusion of everybody else in the room.
"Gramps…" Gary started, but fell silent as Sonia spoke again.
"Champion, your very persona is your greatest mystery. Stop hiding behind a fake name. Come clean and use your real name. Announce yourself to the world properly, Ash Satoshi Ketchum"
"I don't believe it." Sam said. He was sat on a sofa next to Mellanie watching the TV as the show ended. Mellanie was sat in shock next to him, head down, not saying anything. Sam stood up and started to slowly pace the room.
"She did not just say that." Sam said as he paced. "No way."
"She did." Espeon said quietly. The Sun Pokémon was curled up next to the sofa where Mellanie was still sat, not saying anything.
"How…" Sam started, but Mellanie finally spoke.
"She's done it."
"What?" Sam asked, stopping mid-sentence. "She's done what?"
"She's revealed Ash to the world."
"Yes Mel." Sam said impatiently. "I was listening."
Mellanie turned her face towards Sam. He froze as he saw her cheeks glistening with tears.
"No." She said, her voice shaking. "You don't understand. Everything will change now."
Sam didn't say anything, didn't know what to say. He sat back down on the sofa next to his friend and slumped back.
"Nothing is going to be the same, is it?" he asked.
"Most likely not." Espeon said. "I don't fully understand why Ash kept his identity secret for so long, but there must have been a good reason."
"I'm sure there was." Mellanie whispered. "Not that he has a choice now."
"Where is he?" Sam asked.
"Alakazam said that he was helping Pidgeot regain his territory. It was apparently a difficult fight."
"Wait, difficult fight?" Sam asked in surprise. "For him?"
"They did not have a break. Charizard fought for nearly two days straight before Ash called in reinforcements."
"Okay, wow." Sam said, distracted. "No wonder it was difficult. A lot of opponents?"
"Yes."
"What was your point?" Mellanie asked.
"Oh yeah. Where is he going next?" Sam asked.
"Back to Pallet Town." Espeon said. "He wanted to check on…" her voice trailed off as she realised what Sam was getting at.
"He is about to walk back into his hometown." Sam said. "With absolutely no idea that they know who he is."
"Can we warn him?" Mellanie asked.
"No." Espeon said. "I cannot teleport and Alakazam is too far away for me to talk to. Ash will have to ride this one out."
"How has she managed this?" Sam asked.
"Sonia is very good." Espeon said, half in admiration. "But she will make a mistake eventually."
"How can you be so sure? She has beaten him every time she has tried!" Sam protested.
"She has not beaten him." Espeon said, a slight edge to her voice. "It may feel like it, but she has not even come close. Ash is holding his cards close to his chest as he always does, but he will have a plan."
"But she kidnapped Delia." Sam argued. "And you said that Ash wouldn't risk…"
"Ash will not risk his mother's life." Espeon said. "But do not think that does not mean that he will fight back. When Sonia makes a mistake, I trust that Ash will take advantage of it."
"I hope so." Sam muttered.
"He will." Mellanie said, her voice still trembling.
"Why are you so confident?" Sam asked.
"Because I trust Ash." Mellanie said. "And you once did so to."
"I…" Sam started, but Mellanie had stood up and started to walk away. She glanced back over her shoulder.
"You had better beat Lance now Sam." She said. "You have lost faith in Ash and you will need to be able to stand on your own."
Sam watched as his oldest friend vanished through the doorway. He leaned back in his chair and started to shut his eyes, but a touch on his leg made him open the fully once again.
"She is just upset." Espeon said.
"She might be right though." Sam said. "I don't think I've ever doubted Ash before."
"You haven't lost faith in him." Espeon said soothingly.
"How do you know?"
"You're still here. If you had, you would have left like Pikachu did all those years ago."
And with that Espeon padded away, leaving Sam to his own thoughts.
Silence reigned throughout the lounge at the Pokémon Laboratory in Pallet Town. Nobody spoke as the end of Zane's show ran, until Gary slowly raised the remote and turned it off.
"No way." Misty said into the silence. There was no response for a long moment until Max spoke.
"He's alive?"
"If she's even telling the truth." Brock said quietly. "How much of what she said on that show is true?"
Gary turned to look at his grandfather who was slumped back in his chair. "Gramps?"
Professor Oak slowly turned his head. "Yes?" he croaked.
"It's true isn't it?" Gary said quietly. "You knew. That was what you have been hiding. That was what you felt you couldn't tell me."
Oak didn't say anything, not trusting his voice, instead choosing to nod.
"How long?" Gary asked, his voice becoming a harsh whisper.
"I…" Oak started, but Gary cut straight across him once more.
"How long have you known that my oldest friend is still alive?" Gary hissed.
"Five years." Oak mumbled, the words barely audible.
"Five…" Gary started, before breaking off. He stood up sharply, causing his chair to go off balance. Misty slipped off it, nearly falling to the ground but before she could say anything to her fiancé he was gone, storming out of the room. Silence fell once more as they all looked out after Gary.
"You should have said something." Brock said quietly. "You should have trusted us."
"I couldn't." Oak said wearily, all of his years showing on his face. "I promised Ash. Would you want to break a promise to Champion? To the Pokémon Master?"
"But he's not…" Max started, but Oak cut across him, his voice suddenly forceful again.
"Yes, he is. Ash is no longer the boy you all knew twelve years ago. He is changed. For all your good memories, you have to accept that."
"Why did he hide who he is?" Max asked.
"Because…" Oak started, but this time Drew was the one who interrupted.
"Because he's a coward."
"Drew?!" May said, twisting away from her husband and glaring up at him. "You don't know…"
"Why?" Drew asked. "Give me another reason to hide from your friends. To hide from your family. He didn't even go to see his mother when he came back. It is cowardi…"
Before Drew could finish, he was interrupted by Misty. Her hand swung around and slapped him soundly on the face, sending him reeling in his chair.
"Don't you dare." Misty hissed. "Ash is…"
"Someone who hid from you." Drew argued, his cheek turning red where Misty had hit him. "He hid his identity, investigated all your families gyms' for incompetence, took the Petalburg Gym away from May's father, suspended your trainers license for Pokémon abuse and has not lifted a finger to help any of us since he returned. You can defend him all you want, but he is a…"
"Don't finish that." Misty growled, her hand coming back again for another swing.
"Misty, don't." May protested, rising from the floor and placing herself between the two of them. "Drew… Ash isn't like that. I refuse to believe he has changed that much."
"Then you've not learned anything." Drew said as he levered himself from his chair and stalked away. "Trust me May, you know I'm right. I always am."
"No." Oak said quietly, as Drew left the room, the door shutting behind him. "Drew is not right."
"Why didn't he tell us when he came back?" Dawn asked, her usual bubbly self contained slightly at the news.
"Because he was scared what he would find." Oak said. "Yes, it was a form of cowardice. But he thought you had all moved on. And that any memories you had of him would be good ones, not needing to be tainted by what he has become."
"But his own mother…" Brock said.
"Has known for five years as well." Oak said. "I took her to Ash. It was the only way to bring them together without any of you finding out, which was what was stopping him."
"You have both kept it secret for five years?" Misty said.
"We had to." Oak answered sadly. "We promised him. And you don't break deals with Champion, even when you know who he really is."
Silence fell once more as Oak looked back down at his hands. After a couple of minutes Misty turned to leave.
"I should probably go make sure Gary is alright." She said by way of explanation.
As she walked out, Brock turned in his chair to see James, Jessie and Meowth still leaning against the wall.
"You guys have been pretty quiet about this." Brock said. "Don't tell me you knew as well?"
"Nope." James said with a small smile. "Just it is different for us."
"He changed life for us." Meowth said. "But we never knew him as a friend. He was always somebody who's Pokémon we tried to steal."
"He did more than just change life for you." Oak said quietly. "Remember who flattened Team Rocket."
"Probably a good thing we weren't still part of it." Jessie said. "Although if he comes here, we might want to make ourselves scarce."
"Why, in case he attacks you again?" Dawn joked, trying to keep her voice light.
"Yeah." Meowth said. "I'm not getting blasted off by him anymore. It looks like it'll hurt."
Despite the tension that had been in the room since Sonia had revealed Ash's name, laughter rippled out. Even May managed a small smile, although she was looking out the door after her husband.
"I wouldn't worry about it." Oak said. "Pikachu told Ash how you have changed."
"Pikachu knows too?" Dawn asked, raising an eyebrow. "Any other secrets that you've been keeping?"
"No." Oak said.
May slowly raised herself up. "I need to go talk to Drew." She said. She was met with sympathetic nods as she left the room. Behind her, Jessie, James and Meowth quietly departed, muttering something about wanting some time to think about it. Brock turned to Oak.
"Will he be coming back here?"
"I have no idea." Oak said. "I know he was out talking to a very particular wild Pokémon."
"Which one?" Max asked curiously.
"A Pidgeot." Oak said.
"Hang on." Brock said suddenly. "Is that the same Pidgeot that Ash released all those years ago?"
"Yes." Oak said. "Pidgeot protects this area for Ash. They had a great deal of talking to do. I don't know when he will be finished."
"But he might come back?" Max asked. "I mean, now we know who he is, surely we can talk to him?"
"Max, he has changed." Oak said quietly. "I know you idolised him years ago, but he is not as… open as he once was."
"Yes he is." Max argued.
"You don't know that." Brock said sadly.
"I do. Remember Mellanie's interview after the Johto League a few months back?"
Max was met with blank looks from Oak, Brock and Dawn.
"She spoke about being trained by Champion, by Ash."
"Your point?" Brock asked. "She didn't say anything about him."
"Don't you follow your friends at all?" Max asked, exasperation overtaking his building excitement. "Mellanie has been effectively disowned by her family. Yet she is happy, she is a balanced young woman. She has turned into a brilliant trainer. Tell me how that happens without a family."
"Ash." Dawn breathed.
"Yes." Max said. "If Mellanie can have that kind of relationship with him, it means that the person we remember, the person that taught my sister and you Dawn, is still there."
Brock glanced at Oak who was shook his head slightly. They both knew that Max would never believe them if they tried to persuade him that Ash had changed. He still idolised the trainer from Pallet Town, an idolisation that would only increase with the knowledge that Ash became the strongest trainer in living memory. Brock shook his head slightly in disbelief. He had known Ash since they had met at the Pewter City Gym, when Ash was still a new trainer, just having left his home. It was incredible to look at the difference that time had made to the brash, reckless trainer he had once known. Brock had met Champion multiple times and had always been struck by how completely in control the Pokémon Master always seemed to be. Compared to the boy who rushed into things and hung on in Pokémon battles through a combination of brilliance and sheer luck, it was a remarkable change.
"I'm going to go for a walk." Dawn said. "Give me a chance to think a few things over. I'll see you all later, I'll be back at some point." She half-bounced away from her chair, suddenly finding energy from somewhere.
Brock nodded absent-mindedly as he watched Dawn leave and let his thoughts wash over him for a while. Eventually a growling from his stomach roused him as he headed for the kitchen to cook, but before he could reach it, he heard a loud knock on the door from outside.
There was a flash of light and Ash appeared, Alakazam by his side. Ash's hat was firmly back in place, his face obscured as he looked around. Nobody was in sight as he recalled Alakazam and started to head towards Pallet Town. It was a short mile to the laboratory that he could see in the distance. Ash planned to simply drop in, talk to Professor Oak about Dragonite, perhaps look at the Pokémon himself and then head home. His time with Pidgeot had been able to clear a few things in his mind. The world of Pokémon was simpler than the world of human relations, but Ash had to be an expert in both. He had started to formulate a plan to deal with Sonia, now that she had finally shown her hand by kidnapping his mother. It was now a straight fight, Sonia against him. And he knew that he would win.
Ash let his attention on the road wander as he walked, confident that he was safe. If anybody got close he would sense them so he didn't have to focus entirely on his surroundings. Instead his mind focused on Sonia and how he could beat her. Long chats with Pidgeot had enabled him to fill in most of the gaps in his knowledge – he knew for certain that Sonia had the full support of Cleffa, the most elusive Pokémon he had ever tried to find. His scouts had spent months searching, without turning up so much as a clue about the Pokémons whereabouts. That ability to hide would make tracking his mother down difficult, but once he got home he would send the scouts out again. Sonia had to keep Delia alive, and so time was on Ash's side. And while Cleffa could keep moving, moving Delia would be much harder. Even if he couldn't find Cleffa, Ash was confident he could find his mother.
Ash looked up suddenly as he sensed somebody at the side of the road. As he walked up, he saw a woman talking to a small Pokémon who she recalled as he approached. She was wearing a short, navy blue skirt and a close fitting pink top. A long, deep red overcoat was being worn over the top, but not done up. A white hat was on her head, with her blue hair flowing from underneath it. She turned to look at him and did a double take.
"Hey, aren't you Champion? The Pokémon Master?" she asked.
Ash looked at Dawn, smiling slightly to himself underneath his hat. "Yes." He said simply, carrying on walking.
"Wow." Dawn said, slipping into the persona of a star-struck teenage girl. "Just wow. I mean, what are you doing here? Is this some sort of Pokémon League business? Is it meant to be a secret?"
"If it was a secret, I would hardly tell you." Ash said drily as he carried on walking. Dawn fell into step beside him, without asking if he minded her walking alongside him.
"True." She said. "But then I am trustworthy. I get to hear a lot of secrets, perks of being so famous. I mean, I'm not as famous as you but I'm…"
"A coordinator." Ash said, interrupting. "I know who you are Miss Berlitz."
"So I'm famous enough to attract your attention?" Dawn asked.
"When you reach the finals of all four regions grand festivals in a year, you attract a reasonable amount of attention." Ash said. "You have done this twice in four years."
"So you think I'm a good coordinator? Thank you!" Dawn gushed. "Do you have any advice? I mean, I know you're a battler, but surely you must have some tips for a coordinator?"
Ash started to lengthen his stride slightly as he saw the laboratory up ahead. Dawn seemed to keep up effortlessly though, her energy carrying her along.
"I don't teach many people." Ash said. "And I typically teach battlers."
"So you won't teach me because I'm a coordinator?" Dawn asked, pouting. "And you won't even give me any tips?"
Ash reached the bottom of the steps up to the laboratory.
"I am sorry, but no. Now, I am afraid that I have business to attend to here."
"Oh no need to worry." Dawn said with a smile. "I'm staying here as well. I've been staying with Gary Oak, helping him and Misty Waterflower plan their wedding."
Ash started to stride up the steps as Dawn kept on talking, bouncing along beside him.
"Have they invited you? They should have, you are technically their boss after all. And you can replace them, so it would make sense."
Ash reached the door and Dawn mercifully stopped talking. He had forgotten about how bubbly the girl could be – it appeared that time had not changed that about her in the slightest. He raised his hand and knocked on the door. As he waited he glanced at Dawn who seemed to be waiting for something.
"Good luck in the next contest circuit Miss Berlitz." Ash said.
"I won't be competing in Kanto just yet. I'll be heading over to Hoenn after this." Dawn said. "I want to watch the Hoenn League since it starts in a couple of days. I'll try to get some ideas off the trainers. I don't really know anybody competing, but it'll be fun to watch regardless. Then I'll come back and get the ribbons I need for the Grand Festival."
Ash didn't say anything as the door opened in front of him. He turned to see Brock stood in the doorway.
"Doctor Stone." Ash said. "I have come to make sure that Dragonite was recovering well."
Brock didn't move, staring at Ash in shock, almost not seeing him.
"Doctor Stone?" Ash asked. "Is everything alright?"
Brock raised a hand, almost not daring to reach out and touch his old friend.
"Ash?"
"We need to go to Indigo Plateau."
"Sorry?" Mellanie asked, turning to look at Sam.
"We need to go to Indigo Plateau." Sam said again.
"Why?" Mellanie asked. "What happened to us waiting here for Ash to get back?"
"Things have changed." Sam said. "Espeon will continue to protect the island, but in our absence there isn't much to protect."
"This is my… Ash's home!" Mellanie protested.
"And he can rebuild it if he needs to." Sam argued. "We need to start helping him. That's what you wanted right? To be his partner?"
"His partner would wait for him…" Mellanie said quietly.
Sam shook his head. "No. A partner would do whatever they thought was right to help him."
Mellanie considered this before sighing. "Fine. What do you have planned at Indigo Plateau?"
"Ash hasn't fought publicly for a while." Sam said quietly. "At Indigo I will formally challenge Lance and have it scheduled for after the Hoenn League."
"How does this help?" Mellanie asked.
"Because I will then go into an interview with Zane." Sam said. "Talking about both my chances against Lance, and Ash. If I reveal that I am another of his tutees I will be able to counter some of what Sonia has said."
"Fine. Why do you need me?" Mellanie asked.
Sam smiled slightly. "I don't. I just want to make sure you are around."
Mellanie started to say something, but Sam held up a hand. "Mel, I'm sorry. I am sorry that I doubted Ash. And I'm sorry that I wasn't there for you when you needed me after Ash pushed you harder. But I've been around Lance long enough to know that this is going to get ugly for Ash. I want to be able to help you, but I need you to be with me for that."
Mellanie considered it for a long moment, shrugging. "It's fine. You had no way of knowing." Something occurred to her. "When did you think we needed to leave?"
"Err… Almost as soon as Sonia announced who Ash was." Sam said slightly sheepishly.
"Sam!" Mellanie said, slapping his arm. "How can you be so impulsive now?"
"Because I trust my instincts." Sam said. "You know it is how I battle and you know it is what I am like. I am not as carefully considered as you. I like to think of it as a strength."
Mellanie couldn't help herself, a smile broke across her features. "It is many things." She said sarcastically. "But fine. I'll come with you. We should probably go and tell Espeon."
Lance was pacing back and forth in Cynthia's office, being watched by Cynthia herself. Eventually she intervened.
"Lance, I would prefer not to have to replace the floor in here. Sit down."
Lance spun to face his colleague. "How can she…?"
"I got something very wrong." Cynthia said calmly. "I told Ash that I thought she was trustworthy. Now I look back and wonder how I ever felt that."
"She tricked us all." Lance barked. "How can she…"
Before Lance could hit his stride once again, the phone on Cynthia's desk rang. She gestured to Lance for quiet and picked it up. "Hello?"
Cynthia listened for a few moments. "Yes, Lance is here. I'll put him on." She held the phone out to Lance who took it with a swipe of his hand.
"Hello?" Lance listened for a moment. "Yes, I am aware. I have been… Are you sure?... Yes, okay. When?" Lance didn't say anything for a long time, listening intently. Eventually he spoke again. "Very well. I will be ready for it. Thank you." He put the phone down firmly and sighed.
"Bad news?" Cynthia asked.
"I'm not sure." Lance said. "It would appear that a certain Sam Fernandez is being opportunistic."
"Sorry, what?" Cynthia asked. Lance smiled weakly.
"He has challenged me for my Kanto title. It would appear that he defeated Karen and neither of them told me."
"Oh." Cynthia said. "Why now?"
"I have no idea." Lance said. "But I assume he has a reason. He usually does."
Cynthia shrugged. "Is he downstairs now?"
"Yes, but he isn't coming up."
"We could have used his insight."
"Yes, but I shouldn't have any closed door meetings with my challenger before the battle. There will be a lot of focus on the Pokémon League."
"When is it?" Cynthia asked.
Lance looked amused. "He has managed to get it in almost immediately after the Hoenn League, so in just under two weeks. I have no idea how, typically they won't be able to schedule things that fast. Maybe my region won't fall apart with him in charge."
"Can you beat him?"
"I honestly don't know." Lance said. "He wouldn't challenge me unless he thought he could win. And if he is as good as Mellanie it will be an extremely close fight. That was one of the hardest fights I have been in recently and it was only two Pokémon."
"Fair enough." Cynthia said. "Now we need to focus back on…"
"I'm sorry Cynthia." Lance said, interrupting her regretfully. "You know I want to help with dealing with Sonia. But I cannot give up my title without a fight. I will be spending the next couple of weeks training before the fight."
"But…" Cynthia started as Lance headed for the door. "I need you!" She protested.
"No Cynthia. You need Ash. We need him to get back here as soon as possible."
As Lance shut the door, Cynthia slumped back in her chair. It had been a long time since she had felt so alone as she turned to deal with the fallout from the interview with Sonia.
"Ash?!"
Ash froze in the doorway. A dozen different options rushed through his mind, each being considered and discarded. A slightly detached part of his mind was a little ashamed at how many of them involved running. But only one option made sense, only one would give him some chance of peace with this.
"Excuse me?" Ash asked.
"You are Ash, aren't you?" Brock asked.
"Why…" Ash started, but Dawn cut over him.
"Oh yeah, Champion, I should have mentioned. We know who you are."
Ash spun to look at the grinning coordinator. "You…"
"Yep." She said, trying to contain her laughter. "Why do you think I was waiting for you?"
"I…" Ash stuttered before taking a deep breath, showing his frightening composure once more. "Well that explains a fair bit." He turned to Brock. "Yes. My name is Ash. Please tell me how you know that."
"I…" It was Brocks turn to stutter. Dawn slipped through the door past him and turned to Ash from inside the lab.
"Come on in Champion." She said. "You should at least look at Dragonite before we tell you the story."
"We?" Ash asked as he stepped across the threshold, Brock seeming to slide past him. "Who else is here?"
"Still everybody." Brock croaked to Ash's back, but Ash had swept away from him, showing no sign that he had heard. Brock slowly followed them through the lab, watching as Dawn led Ash to the lounge Brock had left a few minutes earlier. Oak was still in place, sat in his chair. As Ash entered he rose slowly.
"I…" he started, but Ash held up his hand.
"Professor." He said. "I am here to check on Dragonite."
"Of course." Oak said. "I can show you through here?" Oak gestured to the room that Ash had treated Dragonite in before.
"That would be fine." Ash said, before turning to Dawn and Brock. "Since I am sure you all have questions, please bring everybody into this room. Once I am finished checking Dragonite, I will come back."
"He is fine." Brock blurted. "I mean, I have run tests on him…" Brock tailed off under the piercing gaze of the Pokémon Master.
"I would like to be sure for myself." Ash said. "Please excuse us."
Ash led Oak through the door and took a Pokéball from the elderly researcher. As he released Dragonite, Ash spoke.
"How do they know?"
"I'm sorry Ash." Oak said quietly. "You have missed a lot in the last few days."
"Tell me."
As Ash worked his way around Dragonite, checking the Pokémon for any sign of damage, Oak told him the full story. Of how Sonia had come forwards with various allegations about Ash, suggesting that he was unfit to be Pokémon Master. How they had apparently been investigated by the police and been verified. About how Sonia had gone on national television to talk about it and to reveal it to the world. About how she had finished by saying that she felt that Ash deserved the chance to reunite the world that he had divided through his work, to reunite the Pokémon and humans. And how her final act had been to tell him to strip back the mystery of his leadership by becoming more open, and how she had revealed his name to the world.
"It was an… interesting reaction." Oak said. "I think Gary took it badly."
"The news, or that you knew?" Ash asked, his voice completely calm.
"The latter probably." Oak said before hesitating. "Ash… you seem very calm given that you just discovered that your biggest secret is out."
Ash turned and smiled at Oak. "You never understood why my name is kept secret." He said. "It was never because I cared about it. It was because I didn't want to uproot the worlds of those I left behind. Imagine how hard it would have been for them if I had come back and announced who I was to them? Remember, when I came back I had a job to do, otherwise I may not have returned. I had a good life in the Wilds." Ash chuckled slightly. "If Sonia thinks that will destabilize me, she is very wrong. Although I do apologize to you for not telling you that I would be watching her after you tried to warn me."
"But what about everything else?" Oak asked. "Particularly the rift between humans and Pokémon?"
"I didn't create that." Ash said quietly. "She did. And I know how. I will however fix it. Sonia has finally overreached herself."
"What about public opinion?"
"I have had lows there before." Ash said. "And while many will believe the claims, I will have a fair bit of time. There is the Hoenn League which will distract people as well. I will use Cynthia to make sure that the police investigate them thoroughly to placate the public. That will give me the time I need to fix this." He held out Dragonite's Pokéball. "Dragonite should make a full recovery. He is well on the way now."
As Ash recalled Dragonite Oak asked a final question. "Does this mean that Delia will be able to move home?"
Ash froze for an instant, before turning away. "I'm afraid not."
"Why not?" Oak asked.
"Because Sonia has kidnapped her." Ash said, his usually calm voice laced with anger. "I will be sending the scouts out as soon as possible to track her down." Ash turned to see Oak frozen. "I am sorry Professor. I have done everything I can to protect her, but Sonia took me by surprise. But I assure you, she will regret what she has done."
Ash handed Dragonite's Pokéball back to Oak and strode to the door. He opened it and held it open for the researcher before stepping out himself. In the room in front of him sat each of the people that he had travelled with. Misty was perched on the edge of Gary's chair with the Kanto Researcher staring at Ash. On the floor nearby sat Dawn and May, while Max, Brock and Drew were all wedged into a sofa. An empty chair awaited Oak across the room. Ash smiled slightly underneath his hat before reaching up and removing it, holding it behind his back as he leaned against the door frame.
"Well this isn't quite how I had envisioned this going. But Professor Oak has explained how you all know who I am." Ash said drily. "I am sure that you all have questions. So who will be first? I'll answer whatever I can."
There was a knock on the door. Zane Zito looked up from behind his desk in surprise.
"Come on in." He called. The door opened and two young trainers that he recognized walked in. Zane started in surprise before rising from his chair to greet them.
"Sam Fernandez and Mellanie Rigger. To what do I owe this pleasure?"
Sam smiled as he took the proffered hand. "I want to do an interview with you."
"I see." Zane said, ably hiding his surprise. "May I enquire as to what changed your mind?"
"Changed my mind?" Sam asked as Zane shook hands with Mellanie.
"Last time you had an interview with me you had to be persuaded to appear." Zane said. "You are almost elusive as Miss Rigger here, somebody who has still only done one interview.
"It is simple." Sam said. "I have something that you will want to talk about, and I feel that it needs to be discussed."
"If you want to discuss Champion…" Zane started but Sam cut across him.
"No, that isn't what this is about. I assume you haven't heard about it yet?"
"About what?" Zane asked, momentarily flummoxed.
"Sam has decided to go and get himself humiliated." Mellanie said quietly. Sam turned to glare at his friend.
"Hey, I can win this." He turned back to Zane. "I will be battling Lance Waturu for the Kanto title after the Hoenn League."
Zane gestured to the chairs in front of his desk as he turned and slowly walked back around, giving himself time to process the news. Sam was right, such a battle would be a huge news story, particularly at such short notice. Normally he would have to make a huge offer to somebody to entice them into an interview in such a situation but Sam seemed to be very willing. As Zane sat down he focused on Sam.
"You are battling the Dragon Master?"
"Yes." Sam said.
"And you want to be public in your build-up?"
"Yes." Sam said. "If I win I will be the leader of Kanto. I do not want to be like Champion…"
"Like Ash Ketchum." Zane interjected. "I believe you know that is his name?" He then glanced at Mellanie. "Although I suspect that you knew a long time ago, didn't you? You admitted to being trained by him Mellanie. And Sam, although you never confirmed it, you as good as did."
"Yes, well." Sam said. "We both knew who he is. But to us, in public he is Champion."
"And you don't want to be as distant as him?" Zane asked. Sam shook his head.
"It isn't really me." He said. "I'm can't pull off that distance comfortably. I befriend people I meet."
"Fair enough." Zane said. "What kind of interview were you thinking?"
"One on one." Sam said. "Not massive, but not as short as Mel's after Johto."
"And I assume you have a price for this?" Zane asked.
Sam grinned. "Not financial, don't worry. I have enough money from tournaments."
"What then?" Zane asked.
"You have to use this story to make a lot of noise." Sam said. "Make the public focus on both this fight and the Hoenn League."
"The Hoenn League?" Zane asked to stall as his mind raced.
"We are heading there next." Sam said. "It starts in two days and is a good chance for me to train while in a battle environment."
"Fair enough." Zane said. "And would this desire to suddenly occupy the public's attention have anything to do with the recent story about Ash?"
Sam smiled. "Of course it does. Off record?" Zane nodded. "We know him well enough to know that he has done nothing wrong. Give him enough time and he will prove it. This distraction will buy him two weeks, one week for the Hoenn League and one week for the battle between Lance and myself. If I can win that media fallout will get even bigger. Champion will be able to use that time to prove that he is innocent."
Zane nodded slowly. "Makes sense. I'll not ask what he has done to buy such loyalty from you." Zane drummed his fingers on the desk-top. "But I'm afraid I don't think I will accept your offer."
"What?" Sam asked in shock. "You're kidding right?"
"No." Zane said. "Because whilst I'm sure that you think this is an offer I can't refuse, I just about can. Whereas I know if you're coming to me, you are getting desperate."
"What else do you want then?" Sam asked.
"An interview with Mellanie as well." Zane said instantly. "It can be at the same time as you if you like, but I want a chance to fully discuss where she wants to progress her career, along with her views on the Pokémon Master, now he has been exposed. An interview without the blocks that I had in the last one."
"I…" Sam said, stalling. Mellanie leaned forwards, cutting over him.
"No." She said. "I'll do another interview, but not like that."
"What are you permitting then?" Zane asked.
"Nothing on Champion." Mellanie said. "I'm happy to discuss anything else."
Zane considered it for a long moment before nodding. "I assume the same will apply to you Sam?"
"Yes." He said. "Nothing on Champion."
"Very well." Zane said. "I am heading to Hoenn tomorrow for the Ever Grande Conference. We can record these interviews tonight, but I may have follow up questions whilst the league runs. Assuming you are willing to assist me in battle analysis during the tournament on camera, we have a deal. Is that agreeable?"
Sam and Mellanie exchanged a glance before nodding.
"Yes." They chorused.
"Anybody?" Ash said, looking around. "Well if there aren't any questions, I'll be going."
"No!" Came a strangled half-shout from Misty. The corners of Ash's mouth flicked up for an instant before his face became expressionless again.
"Ash…" May said quietly, before Dawn burst out.
"Fine, I'll ask. Ash, where have you been?"
"Where have I been?" Ash asked.
"Yeah. It's been nearly thirteen years!" Dawn said, before blushing furiously as she realised that the Pokémon Master was fully focused on her. She shrank back slightly on the floor.
Ash looked around at his stunned former friends, all of whom were fixated on him. Many of them still seemed to be in shock, despite him having been stood in front of them for a good few minutes. Yet Dawn was the one who seemed to have taken it in her stride the most.
"It is a long story, and one that I don't share." Ash said quietly. "But suffice it to say, it has been an incredible adventure."
"Pikachu told us…" Brock stuttered out and Ash smiled.
"He told you that I was dead. He told me that as well when he came back."
"Pikachu came…" This time it was Misty who was struggling to get words out.
"Yes." Ash said. "Professor Oak brought him and my mother to visit my home and he chose to stay. He has become much, much stronger now than he ever was before."
"Ash?" Brock asked, gaining in confidence. Ash turned and focused on the Pokémon Doctor. "Why did he leave you?"
Ash took a deep breath. "It was because he felt that the training we were going through was changing me."
Ash closed his eyes for a moment and a memory rose, the image of Pikachu approaching him, disturbing his meditation on the Day of Departure all those years before. That had been the day that his childhood had died and Ash had been fully introduced to the harsh realities of the world. A fifteen year-old boy, crippled emotionally by his best friend abandoning him.
"He had found it extremely difficult and knew that it was only going to get harder." Ash continued. "Instead of enduring and cracking eventually, Pikachu wanted to leave while he still had good memories. It is something that he regretted for a long time."
Ash looked around and his eyes settled on Misty as he kept speaking.
"However, he has come back and fully committed to training. He has improved greatly, to the point where he fought Charizard last year and nearly flattened my home."
"Your home?" May croaked.
Ash permitted himself a small smile. "Mystery Island."
Gary sat bolt upright. "Wait, you live on…"
"Yes." Ash said simply.
"How?" Gary asked.
"Well I have a house." Ash said drily. "It is actually quite large, there are sometimes quite a few students who live with me."
"Not that." Gary said, his curiosity overtaking his other emotions. "How do you get onto it?"
Ash held out a hand and a small wave of force flowed through the room, pushing everybody into their chairs. Misty rocked back on the arm of the chair but kept her balance, while Dawn and May slid back slightly on the floor.
"That is how." Ah said quietly.
"What was that?" Brock asked.
"That I won't tell you."
"So there are still to be secrets?" Drew asked. Ash's attention snapped onto the green haired coordinator. "You think you can walk out of everybody's life all that time ago and just waltz back in, hiding things and pretending that nothing…"
"Enough." Ash said, his voice calm and level. The authority in the tone caused Drew to immediately stop talking as Ash took a step away from the doorframe. "For twelve years I have had very few friends." Ash said. His friends looked around as they felt a presence of power build in the room as Ash took another step forwards.
"I separated myself from human society, devoting my life to my Pokémon. Before I became Pokémon Master I met very few humans and befriended even fewer. Even those who knew me did not know my real name. They were merely passing acquaintances. When I came back I kept myself separate because I knew that to return to your lives would cause upheaval. I let myself stay alone so that you could remain happy. I watched all of you, trying to protect you from anything that could hurt you."
Ash took another step forwards, his presence completely filling the room.
"I did all that for you, and you never knew it." Ash said softly. "So you have no right to question me like that Drew."
Ash turned away and headed for the door that led towards the outside.
"Where are you going?" Brock asked, his voice panicked.
"Unfortunately, I have a nation to lead, and a crisis to resolve." Ash said, not turning around. "While I would love to spend time discussing the past here, I am afraid that I cannot."
"Ash, don't go." The voice was quiet, but it made Ash stop. He turned around to see May stood there, tears glistening in her eyes. "Please." She whispered.
"I have to." Ash said, his voice calm. "But I will make the effort to reconnect with each of you. I have spent years alone in a self-enforced exile. Now my identity has been dragged out, I will make the effort. But I do unfortunately have to go."
Ash turned and headed out the door, shutting it firmly behind him. As the noise of the front door opening and shutting sounded through the laboratory, Dawn rounded on Drew.
"You unbelievable idiot!" She half-shouted.
"What?" Drew asked.
"You just drove away our oldest friend." Dawn snapped. "Do you know how long we have waited for him?"
"I…" Drew started, but Dawn's typical bubbly energy was turned into righteous fury.
"He has been out of our lives for thirteen years." Dawn raged. "For thirteen years we have waited over our friend! And the one chance we get, our one way to get him back and you drive him away?!"
"Dawn…" May said tiredly. "That's enough."
"No." Dawn said, turning around. Her voice was calmer now, but she clearly still wasn't happy. "No it isn't. Drew, whatever your problem with Ash is, you had best get over it. Because if he ever tries to talk to me, I for one will not let him go again."
Dawn turned and strode away further into the laboratory.
"Whatever." Drew said, before rising from his spot on the sofa and exiting as well, leaving an uneasy quiet behind him.
"Do you think he will try to talk to us again?" Misty asked quietly.
"I'm not sure." Gary said, putting an arm around Misty. "But I hope so."
"He will." Oak said. All eyes shifted onto him. "Ash never breaks his word. He said he will, therefore he will. It might not be any time soon, but it will happen."
"But he just left…" May said, her voice very quiet. "Will he come back?"
Oak chuckled. "He did the same thing to me when I found out who he was."
"He did?" Brock asked.
"Yes." Oak said. "When I found out I was at Indigo Plateau. He left me in his office while he went to talk to Cynthia before he came and took me to his house. That gap actually helped me come to terms with who he was."
"What do you mean?" Max asked, speaking up for the first time.
"That conversation was difficult because you were all still coming to terms with who he is." Oak said. "But trust me, parts of the old Ash are still in there. He is not as open as he was years ago, but given enough time he will open up. But you need to be able to accept that. It takes time to get used to the Ash you used to know being so powerful."
"So you think he will contact us again?" Brock asked, looking for confirmation.
"I'm sure of it." Oak said. "Most likely he'll do it when we are in smaller groups. Remember, that was probably not easy for him either."
"Could have fooled me." Gary said.
"He's been fooling people for five years." Oak said. "He isn't going to stop any time soon."
Suddenly Max snorted with laughter. All eyes turned to him.
"What's so funny?" May asked her younger brother.
"I've just realised something." Max said. "Ash left because of a crushing defeat to Tobias in the Sinnoh League right?"
"Yeah?" Misty said. "He wasn't the same when he came back. Even after all this time, I remember that."
"I'd say he got revenge in the Clash of Legends." Max said, fighting to keep a straight face.
There was a long moment as the Braniac's words sunk in. And then laughter started to break out, cutting through the tension in the room.
"You know." Brock said as the laughter subsided. "Even though we haven't known who he is, we all have memories with Ash from the last few years."
"We invited him to our wedding and didn't even know about it." Misty said to Gary who chuckled again.
"And you fought him Red." Gary said. "I'd say he's definitely earned the Cascade Badge this time."
Laughter broke out once again.
"What do we do now then?" Brock asked Oak.
"He'll come to you when he's ready." Oak said. "There is nothing more you can do, but live your lives." He smiled slightly. "And plan a wedding. Didn't you say that was the original reason why you were all here?"
Ash reappeared just outside his house on Mystery Island. He stepped through the door and looked around. The house felt empty as he strode through it, arriving at the back. He took the Pokéballs off his belt and released them, allowing his Pokémon out onto the back lawn. As they spread out to stretch and relax, Ash turned to see Espeon padding towards him, Pikachu by his side.
"Sam, Mellanie and Harrison aren't here." Ash said. It wasn't a question but Espeon nodded regardless. "Where are they?"
"Sam and Mellanie are out putting a plan into action. When they left, Harrison decided to leave Mystery Island as it would make the island have no value."
Ash nodded slowly. "Smart from Harrison. What is Sam and Mellanie's plan?"
"Sam is going to challenge Lance for the Kanto title."
"Right." Ash said, thinking. "Let me guess, he is doing it because he can use it to kick up a media storm? It would stop the fallout from Sonia's move hurting me too much? A high-profile fight like that would definitely work."
"Correct." Espeon said.
"Then I assume he'll be going to Zane Zito as well?" Ash asked.
Espeon shook her head in mild disbelief. "Again, correct. You really do know him well."
"Indeed." Ash said. "Very well, in that case he will buy me some time."
"Will it work?" Espeon asked.
"I told you it would." Pikachu said. "Don't you believe me?"
Ash smiled. "Pikachu is right Espeon. You should trust him when it comes to humans, he knows us better than you."
Espeon flicked her tail in annoyance but didn't say anything. Ash stepped out of the back doors, onto the lawn and looked out at his Pokémon.
"What next?" Espeon asked.
"We need to strike back." Ash said quietly. "Sonia has done a great deal of damage to my public image, but it is reparable. But we do need to strike back fast."
"How?" Pikachu asked.
Ash called out to Alakazam who floated towards him. "This is how." He turned to the Psi Pokémon. "Take the scouts out. Search areas in the Wilds near to the regions. Find my mother and then come and get me."
"Do you desire us to endeavour to retrieve her?" Alakazam asked. Ash shook his head.
"No. When we go it will be with the entire team. Unless Sonia tries to move her, do not attempt to fight. When you find her, come and get us and we will rescue her."
"I understand."
"This will not be easy." Ash warned. "The Pokémon in the Wilds are mostly turned against us. Mum will be somewhere in the territory of a Pokémon hostile to us."
"You believe that she will be located in an expanse of territory bordering the regions?"
"Yes." Ash said. "Sonia would not take her too far, there is no guarantee she could back to her quickly then. Find her fast."
Alakazam bowed and tapped his spoons together. Ninetales appeared behind him, alongside Beautifly. Ninetales looked at Alakazam before nodding and scratching at her glistening coat. She nodded to Ash before turning and padding away, following Alakazam as he moved away from the rest of the Pokémon. As they went, Espeon rubbed against Ash's leg.
"What will you do now?"
"I will stay here tonight but we will go to Indigo Plateau tomorrow." Ash said. "We need to speak to Cynthia."
"Did you know that Sonia would reveal your name?" Pikachu asked.
Ash shook his head. "No. But it is not a disaster." He smiled slightly. "I met some friends of yours as well."
"Oh?"
"I was uninformed when I returned to Pallet Town to check up on Dragonite." Ash said. "It turns out that my old friends were still there. And they knew who I was."
"How did that go?" Espeon asked excitedly.
"Probably not as you wish it did." Ash said. "I spoke to them for a short while, but I needed to get back here."
Espeon looked at him with some disappointment in her eyes, but Pikachu was the next to speak.
"What happened Ash?"
Ash glanced down at his first Pokémon and smiled ruefully. "I still don't understand how you do that. Well suffice it to say, it was awkward. And Drew was not exactly thrilled with seeing me."
"What does that mean?" Espeon asked.
"He accused me of abandoning people." Ash said quietly. "He is not entirely wrong, but I was not in the mood for it."
"What did you do?" Espeon asked.
"Nothing!" Ash protested. "I just showed that I have learned a stricter side in the years I have been gone." He held up a hand to stall any more talking. "Everybody else didn't know what to say, but I told them I would reunite with them properly eventually."
"Did you mean it?" Espeon asked.
"Of course. I don't lie." Ash said, before turning away. "Anyway, enough of this. What happened, happened. It is time for dinner, then it is time to train. When this fight comes, I do not intend to lose."
Mellanie and Sam at on opposite ends of a sofa with Zane in an armchair opposite them. Mellanie was wearing her trademark plain ensemble, close fitting dark trousers and a plain tank top. Her jacket was folded over the edge of the sofa. Sam was a little more adventurous, wearing brilliant white trousers and a dark formal shirt with the top two buttons undone. The sleeves were rolled up and a gold cravat was tucked under the shirt. Zane, dressed in his standard suit leaned forwards.
"We'll start with you Sam." He said. "You've decided to challenge Lance for the Kanto title. What spurred this move?"
"I felt the time was right." Sam said. "I have been being trained by Lance for a while after I beat most of his Elite Four in an attempt. And I feel like I am both ready for the role and capable of beating him."
"The battle is due to be fought shortly after the Hoenn League." Zane said. "How will you be preparing for it?"
"I'll be in Hoenn." Sam said. "Aside from the chance to practice against some powerful trainers around the league, I will also be able to get closer to a regional league."
"The Kanto League is next, just over two months from now." Zane said. "If you did defeat Lance would you be ready to run it?"
Sam chuckled. "Trust me, if I had to single-handedly run a league I would never be ready. Lance obviously orchestrates a lot of the work that surrounds the league and it would change somewhat to reflect my input, but the league would run smoothly. The Kanto title has passed on before and I'm sure it'll pass on from me eventually."
"You were in attendance when you saw Lance battle against Mellanie." Zane said, casting a warm look in the direction of Mellanie who was curled into her corner of the sofa in contrast to Sam's confident stance. "Did you see any weaknesses you could exploit?"
Sam glanced at Mellanie who gave him a small encouraging smile. They had spoken at length about the stance that Sam would have to take in the interview in order to create the kind of media stir that they were looking for. Arrogance was what was required.
"Of course." Sam said. "Lance, while a powerful trainer, utilises an outdated battling style. There are a host of weaknesses that I could exploit when we fight."
"Wow." Zane said, letting the surprise into his voice. "You clearly believe you could beat him. Where does this confidence come from?"
"As I said, Lance has a lot of weaknesses." Sam said. "When you watch us fight you'll see me exploit them."
Zane nodded thoughtfully. "Fair enough. And if pressed, would you say you are the favourite for this fight?"
"Without a doubt." Sam said instantly.
"Strong favourite?"
"Perhaps not that far." Sam said. "But I would definitely say that I am the favourite; I know more about Lance than he knows about me and have a counter to most of his moves."
"What about you Mellanie?" Zane said. "You've known Sam for years and you've battled against Lance recently. Who would you say is favourite?"
Mellanie considered it for a moment. "Battling Lance was an interesting experience. Yes we drew, but the Pokémon I used were not necessarily the most suited to the type of battle. Sam has the capacity to defeat Lance if he fights as he is capable. So yes, I'd say Sam is the favourite."
"So young, yet so confident." Zane said with a warm smile. "I hope Lance knows what's coming for him. If you win Sam, do you have any plans for the Kanto Region?"
"Not immediately." Sam said. "But I am young and capable of learning and strengthening further as a trainer, I intend to be Kanto's leader for a long time. I'm sure you will see some changes eventually."
"If you were to win, you would surely become one of the most eligible young men in Kanto?" Zane asked. "A powerful trainer, a huge public figure, you'd be fairly well off with your role. Any chance of you revealing a relationship any time soon?"
Sam laughed, a rich sound that filled the studio. "I travel far too much at the moment Zane. I've gone out a few times with some girls but nothing serious. Mostly they just want to show off that they have managed to snag a regional league winner for an evening. And I like the semblance of normality that those evenings entail. So no, I'm not in a relationship."
"Young, single and fearless." Zane said. "Quite a fearsome combination. I fear for Kanto if you win." He turned to Mellanie. "Now what about you? Aside from your exhibition battle with Lance you have remained mostly out of the public spotlight since you broke the consecutive wins record in Johto two months ago. What are your plans for the future? Any challenge to a major league coming up? Perhaps taking Lance's second title away from him?"
"No." Mellanie said, her voice quieter than Sam's. At a glance it was obvious that she did not have her friend's confidence in the interview. "I want to keep improving as a trainer before I settle down in any single region. However, I have considered entering the World League when it starts in five months."
"Really?" Zane asked. "Tell us more."
"Well I know I am one of the strongest young trainers around." Mellanie said. "And while I have been dominant in Johto, the World League is a step up. I am eligible as a Johto winner, so I figured it might be a good chance for me to really test how good I am against some of the best."
"And the Pokémon Master enters that league in the later rounds." Zane said. "Do you think you would have a chance against somebody of that level of power?"
Mellanie shook her head. "Nobody has ever defeated one of his Pokémon in the World League. I do not believe that I would be able to do so either."
"Even though you've been trained by him?" Zane pressed, ignoring the look Mellanie cast at him. "Surely you must know his weaknesses."
Mellanie leaned forwards. "He does not have any. Not in battling. So no, there is little that I could exploit."
"But working alongside Champion you must have some idea of the other top trainers in the world." Zane pressed. "Do any of them scare you?"
"Nobody scares me." Mellanie said matter of factly, in a tone of voice that she wanted the line of questioning to stop.
"Fair enough." Zane said. "Now Mellanie, are you going to be going to Hoenn with Sam?"
"Yes." Mellanie said, pausing slightly before she spoke again. "Somebody has to help him stay focused on his training."
Zane laughed as Sam threw a glare at Mellanie.
"Gee, thanks Mel." He said. "You know, I'm pretty good at staying focused."
"I'm sure." Mellanie said sweetly.
"Hey, I am!" Sam protested before turning to Zane. "I am!"
"Of course Sam." Zane said with a grin. "So Mellanie, how do you keep him focused?"
"Oh that's easy." Mellanie said. "If I can beat him, he isn't focused enough."
"So you are both at a similar standard?" Zane asked.
"Different styles, but yes." Mellanie answered.
"Interesting that you think you are favourite then Sam." Zane said. "Since Mellanie only drew with Lance. And he didn't use his Dragonite in that battle."
"Yes but I studied him in that fight." Sam said. "I can exploit weaknesses that Mel exposed."
"Well good luck." Zane said. "Now Mellanie, we've discussed Sam's private life. What about you, any boys in the last couple of months?"
"Nope." Mellanie said. "I don't even get approached like Sam does."
"Really?" Zane asked. "That seems surprising. What do you do to scare them off?"
"I guess I'm just scarier than Sam." Mellanie said with a perfectly straight face. Zane roared with laughter as Sam glared at Mellanie again.
"Yes, I'm sure that is it." Sam said sarcastically.
"Now Sam, don't be jealous." Zane said. "I'm sure to the right people you are just as scary."
Sam threw his arms up, growling an unintelligible retort that made Zane grin again.
"Finally, let's cover the Hoenn League." Zane said. "I'm sure you'd rather it wasn't in the way Sam as you'd probably want to fight Lance sooner?"
"Nah, I'm happy to wait a little e while." Sam said. "It is only an extra week and it gives me a chance to fine-tune my team, reading for a big fight."
"Anybody in the Hoenn League you want to watch?" Zane asked.
"Not really." Sam said. "I don't really follow Hoenn as closely as I do Kanto and Johto. I'm sure that there are some great trainers and I look forward to the chance to practice against them, but none that I really know well."
"What about you Mellanie?" Zane asked.
"Similar really." Mellanie said. "I don't really know any of the competitors but I'm sure we can find some good trainers to practice against. It would be nice to have a tough match, I don't get many outside the Johto League."
"Too easy for you?" Zane asked.
"I wouldn't go that far." Mellanie said. "But if I do end up competing in the World League, it will be at a level above what I am used to. I could use the practice if I'm to be ready for the challenge."
"Well good luck if you do compete." Zane said. "And I think that is nearly all we have time for. Just a final couple of questions for you Sam. At just fifteen you would be the youngest leader of Kanto ever. Does that bother you?"
"No." Sam said. "If you are capable of a role, your age is irrelevant."
"And you would be set up for the potential to be the youngest Pokémon Master in history, given that the youngest to take the role was twenty six. Eleven years to target the top job?"
Sam smiled. "I have no intention of attempting to be the Pokémon Master."
Zane nodded. "Thank you both for coming on. It has been a pleasure chatting to you."
A/N
Well that was fun. Also the longest chapter thus far in this story (Including the Lost Master, it really was a monster chapter). Hence why it took two weeks. Probably not surprising given what had to happen in it.
I am aware that this is probably the biggest appearance of Sam and Mellanie since they first burst onto the scene some 325,000 words ago (Yes, the combined lengths of these two stories is actually that long. Should anybody want a point of reference, the entire Harry Potter series is 1,084,170 words long. I've still got some way to go to beat that, but everybody should have a goal in life right?) This theme will be continued for the next few chapters as they have a key part to play in the next phase of the story. On the note of those chapters, they won't be as long as this one. This was a one-off which I did consider splitting across two chapters but I decided that I wanted to get it all out in one as I wanted to get everything pre-Hoenn out. So I hope you enjoyed the double chapter!
Anyway, expect there to be an update next Friday and after that I will see if I can get one more out before Christmas. They'll be returning to the usual, slightly sane lengths. As always, feel free to keep shouting what you did and didn't like. I don't improve as a writer unless I get feedback so...
Till next time,
Iama2p