Chapter 8

Hello eveyone! Wow, I almost didn't finish in time for the update... You see, this is a, how do I put this, sad chapter of sorts, and it was difficult writing this. Mostly because I identify with both Ash's and Gary's situation, but also because I'm just generally depressed today. Anyhow, this chapter also has a little surprise for you. Could you have spotted it in the chapter name? Oh, Nya Wolf asked me how many chapters were left, and my answer is that we're about half way. So, maybe another 8 or 9 more. I'm not sure :)

The world needs more people like him. People who would just close their eyes and jump. He understood the risks; hell, probably more than anybody. And now look at them – at us. We are on the brink of seizing our dreams, the real ones. This is the moment everyone dreams about, but so few ever get the opportunity to actually experience. This is the time of our lives, and nobody will take it away. I'll make sure of it.

"Test subject 4 from batch D-2," Larsa spoke into the recording device. "Injecting full dosage from viral batch F88."

Larsa slowly injected the Goldeen with the lime colored liquid. The Goldeen was calm; drugged. With all of the virus injected, Larsa withdrew the needle and placed it on the tray near to his right. He gave me an opportunistic glance, and I returned a smile. Years of research, and finally, we are about to finish with results neither of us could ever have predicted.

"If this works," I began, but was unable to finish my sentence. The consequences would just be so unimaginable. We'll be a step away from being legends, gods even.

The Goldeen started panting heavily, it's eyes wide. Larsa noted to the recorder, "Signs of hyperventilation coupled with some anxiety – nothing unexpected."

I leaned forward, looking intently at the Pokemon. I studied it carefully for any sign that the virus might be failing. It was engineered to act fast and aggressively. On top of that, Goldeen was a small Pokemon, so the virus would reach its heart and brain quickly. Then again, the virus would reach everywhere quickly, and start changing. Changing the world. And making us legends.

The Goldeen began flopping violently on the table, and the machinery that was monitoring its vital signs began blaring and flashing. All of them. Every possible danger alarm went off, signaling the Pokemon's imminent death.

"Damnit, the reaction is too severe," Larsa mumbled as he scrambled to save the Pokemon.

I didn't really do anything. The Pokemon's fate was decided. Since we were creating a new batch every day, we didn't bother with a vaccine – it would just slow us down and waste resources. And without a proper vaccine, survival was out of the question. That's just how the virus works – what doesn't make you immortal will surely kill you. At least, that's what the philosophers say about immortality. What we're tampering with, it defies the very principles of nature.

Tried as he might, Larsa couldn't keep the Goldeen alive, and he switched off the noisy monitors. He huffed and looked at the limp Pokemon. He wasn't sorry for it, he was just examining it – looking for oddities. But he found none, and seemed pleased.

"I think we should take a little break," Larsa announced.

"Yeah," I said as I cleaned up; putting the dead Pokemon in a plastic bag and leaving it for the others to dispose of it later. "That Pokemon tournament is on. You want to watch?"

"Hmm," he began while gently rubbing above his right eye; his sign of contemplation. "The one with that kid?"

"Yup. Ash Ketchum. Too young to be a Master, if you ask me, but we'll see if he has what it takes."

Larsa laughed as we left the lab, "Nah, the kid won't last the first of the Elite Four. No one does."

Larsa walked out in front of me, walking quickly through the cold labs of the facility to our rooms. He was so calm and relaxed, it was almost creepy. But then, so was I. After all, we were brothers, and we understood each other perfectly. We knew what had to be done.

"Hey, Larsa," I said just before we reached our room.

"Yeah, Alexander?" he answered with a smile as he turned around to face me.

I also smiled, but then turned serious as I asked, "What batch of Pokemon will we use next?"

"I'm pretty sure I know what went wrong. It'll be easy to fix, and then the virus will be ready. The next time we inject it, it will work. So, we can inject a big batch of Pokemon. I'm thinking the Dratini," he answered.

"How does it feel?" the reporter asked in excitement. She was quickly shoved away by another, asking more or less the same question. The camera lights were flashing, and the crowd was roaring.

Everything was a bit too surreal – my mind was still battling; thinking of the next move to make. But I guess it ended sooner than I had expected. It ended sooner than anyone had ever expected, and now I was the new Pokemon Master. It had been quite a while since anyone had risen to the challenge, and of course, when I came along, people were skeptical. Hell, I think I still am.

"That was amazing! What is your next step?" a female reporter asked. She looked frenzied; creepy. Everyone was clawing at a chance of asking me a question, no one caring that I haven't said a word yet.

"I dunno, maybe just catch my breath for a second," I said, exhausted from the day's battles.

"What do you mean, go on vacation?" the same reporter asked.

"What?" I frowned. "No, I meant like now. It's been a long day."

And so it was the entire time I was at the stadium – every single one trying to get a little piece of my attention. Misty and Brock was there, too, but they were in the stands somewhere, and would've been entirely unable to reach me. After all the interviews and congratulations, I finally met up with my friends in the locker rooms. I had sent all my Pokemon with Nurse Joy to get the rest they so well deserved.

We didn't speak much – apart from Misty and Brock's initial congratulation. I think they knew I was a bit in shock. Fancy that, I'm a Pokemon Master. I had dreamt about it since I could remember; the thought the only thing that kept me going sometimes. And now, now I've done the imaginable. The Elite Four fell, and so did the champion. And that means, I'm the new champion.

"Well, I suppose we better celebrate," I said when I was all done.

Brock and Misty lit up, apparently relieved that I seemed normal again, and for all purposes of the word, I was. Well, as normal as anyone can be that had just won the title Pokemon Master.

I couldn't recall if there was some kind of party being hosted for me, or whether I was free to have my own celebration. But, typically, my friends knew exactly what was going on and dragged me to a cab that was to take us to some kind of club. When I was told it was the biggest in the entire city, I felt somewhat queasy – I wasn't experienced in nightlife. All I wanted to do was to be with my friends and Pokemon, and my mom, if she had been here.

During the trip to the club, Misty and Brock managed to get me talking on why I had chosen my particular strategies during my battles, and complementing my ability to change plans on the fly. Of course, they told me how they would have done it, and apparently their course of action would've been less risky that mine. So, it was only my duty as Pokemon Master to inform them that I held their title, not them, so my tactics were obviously better. That had earned me a playful smack from Misty.

I was delighted to learn that the Pokemon Center where they were treating my Pokemon was on the same block as the club, and I asked to cab to quickly stop there to pick up Pikachu, who would've at least recovered by now. The little yellow Pokemon was absolutely elated to see me, and me him. As with most battles, I would never had succeeded were it not for his help, and everybody knew it. He deserved to be part of the celebration. My other Pokemon should also have been there, but Nurse Joy recommended I let them rest a bit, since some of them took a major beating out there. I promised in my heart to make it up to them later.

When we arrived at the club, the party was already in full swing, and crowds of people cheered as we walked in. The music was blaring and the lights flashing vigorously, and the mood was thick with excitement. If was infectious, but at the back of my mind, that thought that something was off stayed. Not in the sense that something is going to happen, more like a sense that things weren't turning out as I thought they would be. Disappointment, if you will.

I was shoved and pulled as everybody wanted to congratulate me. By the time Misty had managed to drag me to our table, my pockets were stashed full of little pieces of papers with numbers scribbled onto them. Who would've thought I'd suddenly become desirably when I really didn't change at all.

Brock had gone to the bar, and came back with our drinks. I tasted mine, and it didn't taste too bad. Actually, I liked it, and thankfully it wasn't heavy with alcohol.

"I know you're a lightweight, so I got you something light," Brock said when I finished testing the drink.

"Yeah, Brock, not everyone crashed every party to chase after girls," Misty giggled as she took a sip from her drink. It looked the same as mine.

Brock had gotten Pikachu a bottle of ketchup, which I guess was exactly what he wanted.

"Hey! I couldn't crash parties that often," he defended, laughing. "Not with the two of you getting up so early to force me to cook."

Misty and I both laughed at him, and I said, "That is your own fault. If you hadn't revealed you were such a good cook, we would've done it ourselves."

"Now you decide to tell me, when we've accomplished what we set out to do," he snickered.

More or less, I added in my thoughts.

"Anyway, why is it only us?" Misty asked. "Where's May, Max, Tracey

and Dawn?"

"They all had other obligations – May and Dawn is participation in a Coordination contest, Max obviously too young to come on his own and Tracey is on some expedition on some island to find some ancient Pokemon."

Misty rubbed under her chin, "Who would've thought that our original trio would be reunited at the end of your journey?"

I was more rhetorical, and I looked at my friend with great love. My life as I knew it was spent with them, and the adventures we had together were just legendary. A part of me whished that Team Rocket would show up in that balloon of them to try and steal Pikachu or something. And like the idiots they were, we would beat them again and send them packing. Just like old times.

Old times where everything was new and exciting. Where each day was a step into the unknown, filled with excitement and optimism. Forgetting the fact that I was lonely, it was the best thing that could ever have happened to me. Given the chance, I would do it all over again. A hundred times over.

The fans decided that we had enough time on our own, and they started to come up to us and talk some more. I didn't really pay attention – I was still going through all the memories that I had gained over the past eight years. It nostalgic to say the least, and it occurred to me over and over that I never really expected to become Master. In my mind I was going to be on the road forever, in that naïve euphoria. That is where I belong, and where I want to be.

The action had been spectacular, and the smile on my lips was unfaltering for hours afterwards. Little Ashy-boy had blown away the completion and accomplished the unimaginable. The little boy from Pallet was a god tonight, and I felt an off sense of pride inside of me. I'm sure my grandfather did, too.

I must say, it would've been better if we could actually be there with him, but the announcement of the tournament was unexpected and quick – no one could really adjust their schedule to go, and a lot of people were disappointed they couldn't support their champion in the flesh. Even poor Delia wasn't able to go for the sole reason of not being able to get a flight. But, everyone was huddled into the local bar, eyes still on television, joyously cheering for Ash's victory.

I merely sat and smiled like an idiot. Way to go Ashy-boy, way to go.

To say that I hadn't expected him to come far was a lie. I knew he had it in him, I just never expected to climb to the top this fast. It made me think back to the days where I beat him so easily, if only for the fact that he was easily to distract and anger. When focused, that boy can do anything.

I also had accepted the fact that our relationship had faded to distant friends. Any romantic ideas and dreams I may have entertained a couple of years back were sealed away in the back of my mind – only there when I was in need of the ultimate fantasy. You know, when you're at your worst, and you resort to distraction to subdue your problems. Yeah, I always say Ash as release.

"Can you believe it?" Grandpa asked when he saw me sitting in the corner.

"Eight years ago, never. Now? I guess we all knew this was coming some way or another," I answered, a full beam smeared on my face.

Gramps chuckled, "I agree. Eight years ago, we all imagined you to be on that battlefield."

I frowned at that, "Grandpa, I know I was good, but I was never Master material. Everyone seemed to think so, but I always knew that I wouldn't make it that far."

"Is that one of the reasons why you stopped?"

"I would be more successful as a researcher."

Grandpa eyed me wearily, his cheerful mood slightly faded. Ugh, why did this have to be about me now. I think Grandpa was always torn between the two paths that I had to choose. Fame versus knowledge. Of course, success as a trainer was easily measured, whereas a researcher had to be more humble. Unless they found something big. Which I had yet to do.

"Helping me out in Pallet hardly constitutes as success, Gary. You lost focus, that's what," he said, his voice a bit harsh. "Ash never lost track of his dreams, and look, his life has barely begun and he's already where he wants to be."

"What's your point?"

Grandpa sighed heavily, "My point is Gary, it's no use being regarded as great but not doing great things. It would be a waste to see you stay in Pallet. You can live out your potential in places that can put it to use. Actually, I heard about a new dig near Alph that might interest you."

"Grandpa," I began, rubbing against my temples, "I didn't lose focus. I realize I didn't turn out to be the illustrious grandson you had hoped for, but I'm exactly where I want to be. Can't you accept the fact that I'm willing to trade grandeur for being contempt?"

My grandfather's lips twitched as they wanted to say something, but he decided against it. Instead, he just sighed and dropped it. I could see that he understand my argument. In fact, he should understand it more than anyone.

I stood up, told Gramps I was heading home, and left. The crowd in the bar was a bit too old for me to be entertained, and Grandpa had ruined my good mood. However, my smile returned when I thought of Ash and his victory. I would give anything to be there, if only to tease him on the occasional error during his battles.

I wondered what he would do next? If he had his way, he would be on another journey the next day off to who knows where. The entire world was still left, and the areas he'd seen was just a fraction. There was still much he could conquer and see. I could already see Ash and his friends travelling from city to city. The image seemed perfect, and I longed so much to be in it.

A/N: So, timeline wise, this is set about three weeks, maybe four, before Ash went back to Palltet Town. I'm toying with the idea of a May or Dawn visit, maybe even Misty (I just adore the red headed girl). But I don't know. Also, I set out to create a Lance free chapter, as I realized that most of the attention in the previous chapters was drawn to him... so, this was a perfect way on focussing on the Ash/Gary stuff, while also revealing some of the plot. Can you guess what Larsa and Alexander are up to? Oh, and a nod to Lanie Kay-Aleese's fic, In Ruins, which is perhaps the best piece of literature I've found on FanFiction!

PS. Any names for scientists in the Pokemon series eludes me, plus I wanted original characters. Call it my need to personalize the Pokemon world, but I thought that just recycling existing characters would be boring. I wanted something fresh. Though, Larsa and Alexander aren't completely unrelated from canon :D

PPS. When reading this chapter again, I found a lot of references to games I've been playing recently. Most notably the name Larsa from Final Fantasy XII, and a line I almost copied exactly from Deus Ex. Also, since my experience of Pokemon is more to do with the games, I'm basing the whole 'how to become champion' on how you would in the games - that is, beat the Elite Four, and then the champion. Of course, the requirement is more than just the eight badges. I dunno, I might discuss this in a future chapter. After all, this is slightly AU :P