Sam stood in a whirlwind of noise. In front of him, Lance recalled his beaten Pokémon, the prone form of Dragonite vanishing back into his Pokéball. Typhlosion turned to his trainer, falling into an embrace with Sam who hugged his starter for all he was worth. Around him the crowd roared, as Sam released Typhlosion, fumbling at his belt. Stroking his Pokémon, congratulating him before recalling him.
"Well done." Came a voice, audible over the crowd. Sam looked up to see Lance stood, a hand extended.
"Thank you." Sam said as he reached out to take it. "I can honestly say, that was the hardest competitive fight I have ever been in."
Lance laughed. "Likewise. Congratulations Sam, you earned that victory. Leader of Kanto."
Sam smiled. "That feels good to hear."
"Although technically you aren't the leader yet." Lance said with a chuckle. "There is a ceremony scheduled for as soon as they can get a stage set-up. We will get your Pokémon into the Hall of Fame afterwards. Then they can be taken to be treated. I suspect they'll need it after that."
"Thank you." Sam said again. "I…"
"It hasn't sunk in yet, has it?" Lance asked.
Sam shook his head. "Not really no."
"It will." Lance said. "And when it does, I hope you'll not be too proud to ask for help. Cynthia will be at Indigo Plateau and I'll be in Silver Town. We will be able to help you come to terms with your new responsibilities."
Sam looked up into the face of the older man. "I appreciate that. But I also have one other person who I can ask."
Lance inclined his head. "Ash."
Sam nodded, then looked quizzically at Lance as the Dragon Master stepped away. "Where…"
"They don't want to see their beaten Champion." Lance said. "They want to herald my successor. Enjoy this moment. You've earned it."
Lance turned and strode away, leaving Sam the sole focus on the thousands of people in the stadium, watching. A hush came over the crowd as they waited to take their cue from him. And Sam let the emotion take over. He threw both arms into the air in delight. The noise from the crowd was deafening and to the tired teenager, worth every moment he had ever spent training.
"He did it." Mellanie whispered. She was clutching the edge of the box, watching Sam and Lance shake hands on the stadium floor below. "He actually did it."
Ash didn't say anything. He sat calmly watching the crowd giving his tutee a standing ovation as he raised his arms in celebration.
"I can't believe it." Max said quietly. "I know he's good but I never thought he'd win."
"Lance didn't look that upset." May said.
"He still has Johto." Max said, before casting a glance at Mellanie. "At least, he does until she goes after it. Although I suspect he'll be spending a lot of time training for the foreseeable future."
"He will." Ash said quietly. "That will have hurt him. He can be gracious in defeat but that doesn't mean he is happy to lose."
Ash stood up and looked around the box. "You are welcome to watch the presentation from here."
"Where are you going?" Mellanie asked. Ash smiled.
"It is my job as Pokémon Master to appoint regional leaders. Since Sam has earned the right, I will be down there presenting him with his reward."
Ash turned and strode away, leaving the box behind him in silence.
"We shouldn't move now." Cynthia said quietly.
"We should." Jenny argued. "He is a criminal."
Cynthia met the policewoman's gaze with a piercing stare of her own.
"He is an alleged criminal" the Sinnoh Champion said.
"You've seen the evidence." Jenny said. "You think he is innocent?"
"No." Cynthia said calmly. "But I also believe in our justice system. He is innocent until proven guilty. It is our job to bring him to court and let a jury find him guilty."
Jenny nodded. They were stood at the back of a box on the far side of the stadium from the Pokémon League's box where the Pokémon Master had watched the battle from. On the field below them, a stage was being hurriedly constructed for the presentation. The shiny clean stage was in sharp contrast to the battered arena around it, the cracks in the ground and scorch marks clear.
"Will they find him guilty?" Jenny asked.
"That is down to you." Cynthia answered. "You have evidence of him going far beyond his remit. Influencing wild Pokémon, setting in motion the events that led to the attacks on human civilization earlier this year. Evidence that implicates him in other crimes. And then there is Sonia. What she gave us will be invaluable."
Jenny nodded slowly. "That will be an interesting one."
"Why?" Cynthia asked.
Jenny sighed. "Legal points. Anything she told us that is not on record either in writing or in voice recordings in official police interviews could be classified as hearsay. It would be inadmissible in court."
"What does that mean?" Cynthia demanded. "We can't use it?"
"Actually we can." Jenny said. "In that sense, Mr Ketchum going after Sonia is hugely beneficial to use."
"I don't follow." Cynthia said.
"If we can persuade a judge that she vanished due to him, and swear to what she told us, then it becomes valid testimony. And Sonia vanishing with Cleffa giving evidence that Ketchum took her is more in our favour. And if she isn't there she cannot be cross-examined. We get her testimony without any questions being asked of her."
"Best of both worlds." Cynthia murmured.
"Indeed." Jenny said.
Silence fell as the stage finished its construction. A figure appeared on the stadium floor below them, striding across. His hat was in place firmly as he ascended the steps, rising to stand at the very centre of the stage.
Ash Ketchum raised his arms and the stadium fell quiet, a respectful hush.
"I'm going to make sure my officers are ready." Jenny said quietly. "We will arrest him before he leaves the stadium."
"Why so suddenly?" Cynthia asked.
Jenny nodded down to the figure of the Pokémon Master. His shirt had ridden up slightly as he raised his arms, revealing his Pokéball belt. "He doesn't have any Pokéballs. This is our best chance to get him safely."
"Ladies and Gentleman." Ash's voice rang out through the stadium, silencing the few who were still talking. "Today we have witnessed an incredible battle between two of the best trainers around. That such a battle must have a loser is regrettable, but unfortunately there had to be one. Ladies and Gentleman, please show your appreciation, for the final time as Kanto Champion, a man who has led this region with dignity and authority. I present the Dragon Master, Lance Waturu!"
There was uproar in the stadium. Every single spectator was on their feet as Lance strode across the field to where Ash was waiting for him. His popularity had never wavered among the people of his region. As he ascended the stage, Ash shook his hand and handed him a microphone.
"Thank you." Lance said into the hurricane of noise, his voice barely audible despite the microphone. "Thank you for this."
As the noise began to die down, Lance took a deep breath.
"I never thought this day would come." He said. "I have been leader of Kanto for so many years. Yet when I look back at the battle today, I can have no regrets. I gave everything, like I have every single day since I won my title. It has been a privilege to lead this region, but now I must step aside to make way for my successor. Thank you for making my years of service so enjoyable."
Lance took a step back and gestured to Ash as the applause and cheers started up again. Ash let them build for a few moments before holding his arms up once again. The cheers slowly started to die out, with soon only a few lone whoops still audible.
"For all his power as a battler and his dignity as a leader, I am not surprised about the trainer who defeated him." Ash said into the quiet stadium. "The new Kanto Champion is one of the brightest battling prospects of his generation, storming from nobody to the top of the region in just a few short years. Before today he was a reigning Indigo League victor but after today he will be so much more. Ladies and Gentlemen, I present the youngest man to ever become Kanto Champion. Samuel Fernandez!"
The ovation for Sam was just as loud as the one for Lance, if not louder. Sam walked out, waving to the crowd as he approached the stage. He strode up the steps, the image of complete confidence, but Ash could see beads of sweat on his brow as he came closer.
Ash handed Sam another microphone before gesturing to Lance who had stepped forwards. The cheers slowly started to die down as Lance waited patiently. He reached up and unpinned one of the small badges on his chest. It was made of silver and had a small 'K' in the centre. Around it was a symbol representing every single type of Pokémon. Ash smiled slightly as Lance looked at it. He had his own badge, although his was solid gold and didn't have a letter on it. The only differences between the ones held by regional leaders and the Pokémon Master was the letter representing the region, along with the material they were made from.
"Samuel Fernandez, having defeated me, accept my title as Kanto Champion and promise to lead Kanto to the best of your ability, until you are incapable of the role. Judge fairly, lead wisely and uphold the values on which the region was founded."
As Lance finished the traditional words he held out the badge to Sam who accepted it. He pinned it on his own chest before raising the microphone.
"I accept both the title and the challenge." Sam said, completing the ritual. Lance nodded and stepped backwards, leaving Sam alone at the centre of the stage.
"Ladies and Gentleman." Sam started. "I am honoured to stand here as the leader of Kanto. Yet while this day is of huge triumph for myself, it is tinged with sadness. For today, Kanto has lost one of its greatest ever leaders. Lance pushed me harder in a fight than I have ever been pushed before. He has led Kanto for longer than I have been alive. I can only hope that I can lead our region with even half of the dignity he has. Please, join me in a round of deserved applause for Lance."
Once again, the stadium rose in ovation for Lance who looked overtaken by emotion. He hesitated then bowed to the fans, who only roared louder.
Eventually, Sam stepped forwards again, gesturing for the crowd to hush.
"However, Kanto moves forwards. I intend to raise this region, our region to new heights. Lance had to split his time between Johto and Kanto; I will have no such problems. My time will be dedicated to serving you, the people in the region that has made me one of her own."
Ash stopped listening as movement out the corner of his eye caught his attention. He turned his head slightly, enabling him to look straight down one of the tunnels that led away from the field. Just inside stood a police officer, arms folded behind her back. Ash blinked in surprise. The only reason that an Officer Jenny would be in the tunnel would be to talk to somebody on the field. Yet all three of them were major political players. If she wanted to talk to one of himself, Lance or Sam, Jenny should not do it on the day of a battle and especially not on the day that there was a new regional leader sworn in.
Ash turned his head, thoughts racing. He glanced down each of the other two tunnels leading away, finding Officer Jenny's waiting in each of them. He considered what they could want, coming to a simple conclusion. It wouldn't be Lance or Sam. If they were the subject of a police investigation, he would have known. Therefore they had to be waiting for him. Yet he knew that while he was being investigated, he was innocent. Still, for Jenny to come here it had to be serious. He saw another Officer Jenny appear, striding forwards, towards the light, towards the view of the public. Ash cocked his head slightly, asking a question without words. Ever so slightly he pointed a finger at himself. Jenny stopped walking forwards and stared at him. She raised an arm pointed at him unerringly, her finger mere feet away from where she would be on plain display to the public. Ash nodded slightly. Jenny took a step back and waited, arms folded. Ash turned his attention back to the end of Sam's speech.
"I will lay out more detailed plans in the near future, but I promise you, I will continue the work that Lance has started in building Kanto up to a region that we can all be proud of!" Sam finished to thunderous applause. He turned and led Ash and Lance off the stage, heading towards the tunnel. To his credit, Sam didn't falter when he saw the Officer Jenny's waiting for them at the back of it, continuing to stride forwards until he was out of sight of the crowd.
"What is going on?" Sam asked of the two Jenny's as he came to a halt in the dark of the tunnel.
"We are here for the Pokémon Master" one of them said. As he too came to a stop, Ash got a better look at the uniform of the officer in front of him. She had a small badge on her tunic, a badge that he recognized. She was the Hoenn Chief of Police. As he looked at her, she reached behind her back and produced a pair of handcuffs.
"What is the meaning of this?" Lance demanded. "Who told you to do this?"
"Unfortunately I did." Came a new voice.
Lance looked past the Jenny's to see Cynthia stood at the end of the tunnel. She was dressed all in black, the clothes she had worn as Pokémon Master. Her plain shirt and trousers were covered by the long cloak that reached down almost to her ankles. It was held at her chest by a single pearl.
"What is going on Cynthia?" Lance asked.
Cynthia didn't answer, merely gesturing for Jenny to proceed. She stepped forwards, brushing past Sam to reach Ash.
"Ash Ketchum, I am arresting you on suspicion of the abduction of Sonia Rukan, in addition to other crimes. A full list will be read to you prior to any interrogation. You do not have to say anything, but anything you do say may be noted and later used in court." She raised the handcuffs. "Your arms please."
Ash didn't move. "Sonia's been abducted?"
"Don't pretend that you didn't know." Jenny said quietly. "We have a witness statement that has you attacking her in her safe house and kidnapping her. Now please, your arms. I would prefer not to do this forcibly."
Sam looked at Ash. "Is this true?"
Ash sighed, raising his arms for the policewoman to cuff. "Not in the slightest. But I will go. I will prove my innocence." He looked at Sam. "Mellanie is in my box. You need to tell her what happened."
Jenny turned and gestured down the tunnel. "This way."
Sam and Lance stood in silence as they watched the Pokémon Master be led away by the two police officers, followed closely by Cynthia. After they were gone, there was a long silence before Sam eventually turned to Lance.
"What the hell just happened?"
"I don't know." Lance said quietly. "I know Cynthia was investigating Sonia, but I don't know when she went from looking into her wrong doing to arresting Ash for kidnapping her." Lance turned to Sam and put a hand on his shoulder. "Ash is innocent. He wouldn't lie to us. Whatever they think they have found, he will get himself out of it. All we can do is try to keep the peace while he does."
As the stadium emptied around them, Mellanie sat quietly listening to Max and May chat. Watching her childhood friend be crowned as the Kanto Champion was a sobering experience. She had still barely spoken to him since the Hoenn League, having travelled back to Kanto with Alakazam, leaving after Sam had left. She had then been stuck on Mystery Island while Ash recovered his mother. She had then travelled to Indigo awaiting the fight. And now Sam had won, becoming the champion of Kanto. Despite them starting at the same time he had now undoubtedly surpassed her in terms of successes. To become a regional leader at such a young age was unprecedented.
"Mellanie?"
The young trainer turned as her name finally registered. Max and May were looking at her curiously.
"Yes?" she asked.
"We were just wondering how long we should wait here for." Max said. "Is Ash coming back to meet us?"
"He should be." Mellanie said. "He knows we are here, he'll come back."
Movement behind Max caught Mellanie's eye and she pointed. "See? Here he comes."
Max and May both turned to see Sam stumble into the box, looking stunned. He fell against a seat, slumping down into it.
"Congratulations!" Max said, rising from his own chair as Sam stared at the floor. "You were absolutely…"
"Ash has been arrested." Sam said heavily, cutting straight across Max.
The silence in the box was deafening. Mellanie who had half risen from her chair when Sam had appeared collapsed back into it. Max opened and closed his mouth several times, but no sound came out.
Eventually Max sat down in his seat once again. "What happened?" he asked quietly.
Sam looked up from where he was at the back of the box. He looked like he had aged several years since the end of the fight, stress eating away at him. "I'm not sure." Sam said, his voice carrying easily in the now deserted stadium despite the low volume. "We were met by an Officer Jenny and Cynthia after the presentation. He was arrested by Jenny."
The silence grew once again. Suddenly Mellanie twisted to glare back up the box. "How could Cynthia let this happen?" she demanded. "She has worked for Ash for nearly six years. She should show some loyalty."
"She has."
All four of them looked at the entrance to the box to see Lance stepping in slowly.
"She has shown him loyalty in the past." Lance said heavily. "Now… I don't know. I'm not sure how an investigation into Sonia Rukan turned into an investigation into the Pokémon Master, but it has."
"Can you and Sam not do anything?" May asked. "I mean, you are the leaders of Johto and Kanto."
Lance was already shaking his head before May had finished. "No. Sam came here before me because I was trying to find out what has been going on. Ash has been investigated by the Hoenn Police. Our authority there is limited."
"But he is the Pokémon Master." May objected. "Surely that counts for something?"
"Usually yes." Lance said. "But not even the Pokémon Master is immune to a police investigation. Bringing a frivolous lawsuit against him carries a very strict punishment, which means that they must have something."
"What though?" Max asked. "What has he done?"
"He told us he hadn't done anything." Sam said. "He said he is innocent."
"Is he?" Max asked, before grunting in pain as May smacked his arm. "Hey!"
"Don't ask such stupid questions." May said. "Ash wouldn't do anything illegal."
"Your loyalty is admirable." Lance said. "But the fact remains that Ash will be taken to Hoenn where he will almost certainly stand trial. I have reached out to Steven to find out whatever he can, but his power is extremely limited when it comes to police work. As long as they do not exceed their remit, there is little he can do."
There was another long silence before Lance looked down at Mellanie. "You're being rather quiet." He said softly.
Mellanie shook her head slightly. "Ash knew that this would happen."
"What?" Lance said in shock, eyes wide.
"Not the specifics." Mellanie said. "Just… a feeling. Ever since before the Hoenn League he has been pushing me away, having me keep my distance. I think he knew that something was coming."
Lance shook his head in disbelief. "Two steps ahead right to the end." He rose from the seat he had been leaning again. "I need to get my Pokémon to a Pokémon Centre. Sam, are you coming with me?"
"Yes." Sam said quietly. "Just… give me a moment."
Lance nodded, stepping out of the box to wait for his new colleague. Sam turned to Max and May.
"Guys, can you wait outside for us as well?"
Within moments Sam and Mellanie were alone in the box. Sam moved forwards until he was on the same level as Mellanie, selecting a seat a two along from her. He turned to look at her, only to see her hair falling to obscure her face.
"I'm sorry." Sam offered quietly.
Mellanie shifted slightly, but didn't say anything.
"I shouldn't have treated you the way I did in Hoenn." Sam said quietly. "I… I don't really know to be honest."
Mellanie glanced up at him, her hair falling away from her face. She met his gaze but didn't say anything.
"I don't know what you know about myself and Emily." Sam said. "But I promise, she could never replace you."
Mellanie blinked. "I don't believe you." She said simply.
Sam leaned back, looking away from Mellanie's piercing gaze. "Why not?" he asked.
"Because you pushed me away in Hoenn." Mellanie said. "You broke our deal with Zane, hurting Ash in the process. I never thought you could do that."
Sam looked back, to find Mellanie glaring at him.
"That was never my intention…" he said before trailing off, quailing under the fearsome look his friend was giving him.
"Right." Mellanie said disdainfully, before rising from her chair. "Sam, congratulations for becoming Kanto Champion. It is very impressive. But while you were off flirting with somebody you just met, I was trying to help our mentor fight off an attack." She started to walk away, heading out of the box. "So get used to your region, go find Emily and let me try and continue working for the Pokémon Master. You clearly have no intention of helping."
"Emily broke up with me." Sam said. Mellanie froze, before slowly turning around to see Sam stood up, gazing after her.
"What?" she asked.
"Emily said she wanted nothing to do with me." Sam said. "I'm not sure if it counts as a break-up since I'm not sure we were ever dating but there you go. It was after that interview with Zane."
"What interview?" Mellanie asked before realisation came across her face. "You did it? The interview that I said you should?"
Sam blinked, a look of shock coming across his face. "You didn't see it? After you told me to do it?"
"It wasn't me that suggested that message." Mellanie said. "It was Ash. He just said it should come from me."
"Well I did agree to it." Sam said. "And Zane was brutal. He was fine during the battle but then moved onto Emily. He was like a dog with a bone, he wouldn't let it go. Eventually I said that I didn't think we had a future. I got a text from her this morning, saying that she didn't ever want to hear from me again." He winced slightly. "I think I also lost the support of a section of Kanto businesses."
Mellanie shook her head in disbelief. "Why are you telling me this?"
"Because I'm sorry." Sam said. "I was distracted by Emily and I was wrong. I let you down and I let Ash down."
Mellanie smiled slightly. On impulse she stepped forwards and hugged Sam. "I'm sorry too. Sorry that Zane put you through that. He warned me that he'd be doing something but I didn't realise it would be like that."
Sam shrugged. "It's fine. It was always going to happen."
"I thought you got on with Emily?" Mellanie asked, curiosity getting the better of her.
"I did just… I don't know." Sam said. "I don't know what it was with her. I mean, we were at that party in Hoenn and Steven told me to get to know some people. It started out like that but then I actually did like her." He sighed. "Of course, now she won't have anything to do with me. Can't say I blame her."
Mellanie smiled slightly. "Well you are the leader of a region. She might change her mind."
"I doubt it." Sam said, before looking around. "Anyway, Mel… I do need to get my Pokémon seen to, then go with Lance to see what I can find out. Do you want to come?"
"I can't." Mellanie said.
"Please Mel, I'm not pushing you away…" Sam started, but Mellanie cut across him.
"I know you're not." Mellanie said. "But while you have to look after your region I have something else to do."
Sam opened his mouth then shut it again as he realised. After a moment he spoke again. "Mystery Island."
"Indeed. Ash's Pokémon don't know he's been arrested. I need to tell them."
"Mellanie…" Sam said warningly. "They cannot do anything. Keep them controlled if you can."
Mellanie nodded. "I'll do my best. Good luck."
They hurried out of the box to where Lance was waiting.
"All sorted?" the Johto Champion asked.
"Yes." Sam said. "Mellanie is going to try to deal with Ash's Pokémon. We need to get ours to a Pokémon Centre then figure out what we are going to do."
Cynthia led the way across the airfield towards the small plane waiting for them at the far end of it. The engines were already running as it waited for them. When they reached the steps Cynthia climbed up first while Officer Jenny waited with Ash at the bottom. Ash was next, his balance perfect on the steps despite the handcuffs still affixed to his wrist. He had also had his hat taken away from him, giving those around him a clear look at his face. Although he did have to concede that doing so meant he was probably actually less recognizable than he would be with the hat. Not many people knew his face, although everybody knew his persona. As Jenny climbed into the plane behind him the steps were pulled away and the doors shut.
"Take a seat." Jenny said, gesturing to a chair. Ash sat down and looked around. It was a typical plane utilised by the Pokémon League for journeys that were too long to be easily undertaken by helicopter. There were a dozen seats inside, four of them taken up by other police officers. The Officer Jenny that had arrested him took the seat opposite his while Cynthia sat across the aisle. As the plane started to move, Ash took a long look at the police officers around him.
"A lot of security for just me." Ash said mildly.
Jenny snorted. "You were the Pokémon Master, and a man who has taken down a rampaging Nidoking and Nidoqueen with his bare hands."
Ash flashed her a glance. "I am the Pokémon Master. You cannot change that."
"You cannot be Pokémon Master if you are convicted of murder." Jenny said angrily.
"Interesting." Ash said, his voice completely calm. "When I was arrested I was informed that I was being charged with kidnapping. Which is it?"
"You kidnapped her and then did who knows what." Jenny said, her teeth gritted. "And you sit there, as calm as anything? What is wrong with you?"
Ash met the police officers gaze. "I believe that is a question you should ask yourself, given where we are." He leaned back in his chair. "This is getting very close to an interrogation. I'd like to know what else I'm being charged with."
Jenny glared at him before reaching into a pocket and withdrawing a notepad. "Very well. In addition to the kidnapping of Sonia Rukan you are also to be charged with endangering human life through reckless action, aiding and abetting an attack on the Kanto region and abuse of Pokémon."
Ash blinked. "Please tell me you are joking."
"Does it look like I am?" Jenny barked.
Ash shook his head slowly. "Not a single one of those charges is true."
"Really?" Jenny asked. "You deny causing the attacks on the Kanto region through your dealings with wild Pokémon?"
When Ash didn't answer Jenny smirked. "I thought so."
"It was not me who caused those attacks." Ash said warningly. "But the next ones could be caused by you."
"Next ones?" Cynthia asked, sitting up straight in her seat. "Ash, what are you talking about?"
"The reason that Sonia vanished is because she was losing the support of wild Pokémon." Ash said quietly. "She would have taken the chance to flee from wherever you kept her and make it look like it was me who took her."
"We have a witness." Jenny argued.
Ash raised an eyebrow. "Who?"
"You know we can't tell you that."
"Of course." Ash said. "But think about this, if Sonia no longer has the loyalty of the wilds, who does?"
"I'm guessing you." Jenny said. "Something I'm sure you only did to preserve your position."
Ash looked at her carefully. "That is quite a vendetta you have against me." He said. "I hope it does not cloud your judgement."
Cynthia leaned across the aisle slightly. "Ash, if there are wild Pokémon loyal to you, what does that mean?"
"They aren't all loyal to me." Ash said quietly. "But some are. And Pokémon react to human actions. I only hope they don't react to these ones too strongly."
"What do you mean, they react to human actions?" Cynthia said.
Ash turned to look at her with the piercing gaze that she knew so well.
"You have both already made up your minds about my guilt." He said. "I can see it in your eyes."
"What do you mean?" Cynthia demanded. Ash didn't say anything, turning to look out of the window, looking down at the fields below.
"Ash?" Cynthia asked again.
As Ash continued to ignore them, Jenny leaned forwards. "Mr Ketchum." She barked, her face inches away from Ash's ear.
Slowly Ash turned to look at her.
"I have no intention of answering any further questions." He said firmly. "I have nothing to hide but I do not wish to face a witch-hunt here."
Ash turned to look out of the window, peering intently through the clouds as the plane flew through the air. Far below them, Ash could see a few Pokémon, mostly flying types that were off the ground. He couldn't see anything unusual in their behaviour yet. With a quiet sigh he leaned back in his chair once again and waited.
A/N
Just a quick note to say sorry that this chapter is a few days late. I nearly had it finished last Friday but just wanted to tweak a few things. Hopefully will be on course for the next one to be a week on Friday.
Till next time,
Iama2p