Chapter 8: Ghost of The Present
Gary walked into the Battle Pyramid to face his latest challenge to the Battle Frontier hall of fame. Now he knew what Ash and Scott were talking about when they said that it won't be hard to find… for now. The pyramid was actually a moving floating vehicle that roamed throughout the countryside for years. "Hello?" the boy called out in the dark hoping to get some sort of reply, but sadly there wasn't any. "Hello? I'm looking for the Pyramid King. Umm…"
"Who are you!" a voice snuck from behind making Gary leaped a few centimeters off the ground. The man wore some sort green adventurous attire which matched his personality perfectly. He also had a backpack which was similar to Gary but except much bigger. "I asked who are you!" the man shouted again from the dark.
Gary: "I… I… I'm Gary Oak from Pallet town! I'm looking for the… the… the pyramid king of the Frontier Brain"
Man: "Are you the challenger? (Gary nods) (lights open) It's nice to meet you again Gary"
Gary: "Hey wait a minute… I know you! You're Brendan! I saw you in court a year ago!"
Brendan: "It's nice to have one of Ash's friends remember my name. I didn't expect you to be our new challenger of the month"
Gary: "Well, I guess is full of surprises huh? Anyway, on to business. Brendan, I challenge you for the final symbol of the Battle Frontier!"
Brendan: "I accept… but there's a bit of a problem hehehe. I had a fight with some wild Pokemon during my travels. I'll need to send them to the nearest Pokemon center before we can have a proper battle, ok?"
Gary: "Sure, I can wait"
Brendan: "Excellent! While we're waiting… please tell me. How's Ash doing? I haven't anything about him for quite awhile"
The boy's face soured a little making an impression that it wasn't really a topic he wanted to talk about. It was uncomfortable just thinking about it. "He's fine I guess. He's staying in a town near Celadon city for a little while"
"I see…" Brendan was satisfied with his answer.
"Oh… by the way…" the Pyramid king gazed back onto Gary, "Thanks for helping out in court that time. If it wasn't for you I didn't think I would be able to get Ash out of jail"
"Hehehehe… no need to thank me. I just can't stand having one of the Battle Frontier challenger staying in jail" they both gave out a weak laugh, "Well… if you say he's fine then I guess he is fine. Please give him my regards the next time you meet him"
"It would be a pleasure Brendan. Just make sure you give me a good fight" Gary was silently provoking his opponent but Brendan wasn't gonna fall for such cheap tricks like that. However… something did catch his attention. A badge on Gary's jacket reflected the ray of the light perfectly with its jewels and diamonds making him squint a little.
"Gary… since when did you become a Pokemon Master?" he asked jokingly
"Huh? Oh this thing? Ash gave this to me. He said that he and I are equals as trainers"
"Heh… I believe he's right…"
(Back in Anabel's house)
The morning had never been better at Anabel's lodge. Though the snow still refused to stop the area had return to its natural state. Some bird Pokemon were singing their tune at the bird house which Anabel built as a small habitat. Many Pokemon have also gone into a state of hibernation to keep them from the cold. As the morning sun glittered through thick clouds offering very little heat, Anabel and Ash thought that it was time to remove the snow out of the main road.
Shovel plow shovel
Those familiar words were plunging themselves back into the boy's head like a machine. Ash had done this many times during the old days with Mr. Mime back at home. His mom always wanted a clean road for any unsuspecting visitors. Aipom and Espeon were also helping but mostly… they were just playing in the snow with Pikachu.
"Well, I think that's all of it!" Ash declared as he plowed the last of the snow to the side of the road. They both looked around to see if they missed any spot along the front of the house just in case. "Yeah, I think that's all of them. Come on Ash, I treat you guys in for some hot coco in the house" the Pokemon raised their hands/paws with joy, "Alright! Hot coco here we come! Come on everybody, let's go back into the house!" Ash declared as he threw the shovel next to the pot of flowers. Just before they could even take one step towards the lodge (I think that's what they're called now) a sudden rumble came from the bush behind them.
Ash: "What was that?"
Anabel: "Yeah… I heard it too (Pika?) (bush tremble)"
Ash: "Be careful. It could be a wild Pokemon"
Anabel: "It's coming from that bush over there"
The two of them crept closer towards the bush hoping not to scar whatever was inside. They took step by step making no sudden movements unless necessary. The bush trembled again and again making a louder noise. And when the creature decided to pop its head… the two humans fell in shock. It was an Eevee. A cute little Pokemon that is adored by many people in the world. It was famed for his cuteness and abilities as a Pokemon in battle.
"Is that… an Eevee?" Ash said in question of the Pokemon. Anabel nodded in reply but as they looked closer to the Pokemon in question, they realized that was limping on one leg. "It looks like its hurt!" Ash gently held onto its limping leg hoping not to squeeze any more pain as it is and quickly observe on what might have cause this.
Anabel rubbed the back of the Eevee's ear relaxing its muscle and relieve it of any stress, "How is it Ash?" she asked the boy.
"Not good. It looks like its legs have been twisted. We're going to have to get some bandages and hold it together so it won't hurt anymore" the boy knows his medical science. After being in a Pokemon journey for such a long time he must've picked up some tips from Brock, "Anabel, let's get this Eevee into the house and let it warm itself. I'll grab some bandages and something to hold its leg together" the girl, not trusting her mouth simply nodded in reply.
Click…
The whole family went back into the house immediately after they knew about the little Pokemon's condition. Once they were in they each went on to their respective task. Ash grabbed some bandages and started working on the leg. Anabel placed some nice warm towels to keep the little guy from freezing. Pikachu, Aipom and Espeon did what they could to cheer Eevee up. The moment went by without much disturbance. Although Eevee might not look like it was in pain, inside, it was suffering a lot. After several painful and tiring process of cleaning the wound, it was finally done. Ash may not be a doctor but when he finally patched up the wound it was already well on its way to a complete recovery.
The boy went on to place an extra layer of bandages just in case some blood leaked out. Once the little Pokemon realized that it was in good hands, it decided to let out a silent moan as a sign of relief. "Well… that should do it. If that bandage holds on for a few days I think it'll be good" Ash spoke out as he wiped the sweat off of his forehead. The process of healing a broken bone was more exhausting then one could even think.
"Here Ash" Anabel handed him the coco she promised. Ash couldn't quite put it, but the girl manages to make her coco just the way he liked it. Two cups of sugar and stirred to perfection. It was as if she could read his mind or something. "Wow Anabel, this coco is great!" the girl blushed in response.
Anabel: "Thanks… so how's Eevee?"
Ash: "It's just tired after all the procedure. If we let it rest for a day or two, I think he'll be able to walk again (gluck gluck) Ahhh…"
Click…
That strange sound made its appearance again. Ash scanned to room to see where it was coming from.
Anabel: "What's wrong Ash?"
Ash: "Nothing… I thought I heard something click"
He decided to ignore it and continued what he was doing. With nothing better to do, the two of them decided to take turns watching over the Eevee if anything should happen.
(Back in Pallet Town)
While Delia was preparing dinner for the professor and herself (and of course Mr. Mime) the phone suddenly rang. "Honey, can you get that for me" Samuel Oak complied and immediately answered the call from the living room. "Hello, this is the Oak's residence. Samuel Oak speaking. Who am I-"
"Hi professor" the voice on the other side cut him off, "It's me, Tracey!" the video screen popped out, showing the image of a teenage boy in a green shirt and a red head band. "I'm calling from the Hoenn region right now"
"Oh hey there Tracey. I haven't seen you for a long time now. What are you doing in Hoenn?" the professor smiled up to him
"I'm with professor Birch in Littleroot town. He said he might have a theory on the Pokemon evolution cycle. I'm going to find out if there's anything I can do to help"
"That's great Tracey, but when are you going to come back to Pallet Town? It's been pretty lonely here without you"
They both let out a good laugh, but it soon vanished when Tracey's face saddened, "I'm sorry professor… is he… there?" he asked in a pleading tone with some hope that the boy he asked for would not be there. Samuel's face turned sour as well but somehow he was able to keep his smile up, "No Tracey. Ash isn't here right now. I sent him on an errand near Celadon city. He's currently taking a break from all that's been happening"
"I see… well… I guess I'll see you some time next month professor"
"I hope to see you too Tracey. And good luck with your research" he hung up the phone with a defining ring sound. His hearted sank deep within his intestines as the mere thought of the past was mentioned. Even Tracey felt guilty to everything that had happened last year. The events that were put into great motion on that court in Cerulean city was a time none of them would soon forget.
"Honey, lunch is ready" Delia shouted from the kitchen. The professor took his time as he ran a train of guilt through his complex brain. He was going to reply but when he looked back at his wife's smile… he could barely even contain the tears that were flowing through his eyes. "Delia…"
"Hmm? Is something wrong professor?"
"I… I…" tears were now openly coming out of his eyes but he would not show it. He confessed silently to himself, "I don't deserve it… I don't deserve her… my goodness, I don't even deserve to be happy at all!"
"Nothing Delia… nothing at all"
(Littleroot Town Pokemon center)
Tracey hung up the phone after he had his talk with the professor. There was a small gift lying on the side of his chair. It wasn't an expensive gift like Brock but it was still nice nonetheless. A slight bit of anger burned into himself as the images of the past continued to haunt him even more. Why did he go against him? Was he not his friend? Did Ash really looked like a person who would commit such a crime? Was he that blind that he couldn't see it?
(Flashback, a few months ago, in Pallet Town)
Tracey was packing up for Pokemon research journey around Kanto, Johto and Hoenn. But as he was loading up his supplies onto his backpack, he noticed Ash outside along with his other Pokemon gazing out into the open plains. It had only been a few months since he was released from prison but Tracey could see that being in jail for a whole year really broke the boy's will power and spirit. The emptiness in his eyes, the pain on his back… the lashes… they were too hard to even be mentioned.
The boy was not just broken… he was scared and bruised so badly that it would take a life time to recover. Tracey wanted to go and apologize, but right now… he was more afraid than ever. Ash's Pokemon wouldn't let anyone except Delia, Ash and Gary touch them or even let anyone else come within five feet of their master. Their hatred was extended mentally and emotionally through the Ash's tears and silent cries he gave out at night. If anyone dared to hurt Ash again… there would be no one… and absolutely nothing that would even let them consider mercy.
(End of flashback)
In a rare sight of rage and anger, Tracey threw away the gift and walked out of the Pokemon center with a heavy heart... and perhaps a guilty soul.
A young woman in her late twenties was typing on a computer in a dark office room somewhere in Varidian city. She had a long dark hair with a Haunter ribbon tied on top. Her nails were as long as witches in the middle age and her teeth were sharp as a vampire you would see in movies. Just when she was about to press the 'enter' button, her phone suddenly rang. "Hello…" she said in a very seductive tone, "(phone gibberish) Oh it's you. What do you want now? (phone gibberish) I hope you're not making this up because if you do… I'll (angry phone gibberish!) Really… show me" her printer began activating on its own. And by the time the pictures came out, she gave out a wild and evil grin.
"Hmmm… I love it… (phone gibberish) But we can't use this. (unintelligible phone gibberish) Don't be angry darling. I'm only speaking the truth. Your could just be easily coincidental. They can't even be called dirt, if you know what I mean. (phone gibberish) Why don't you get me some real pictures… then we'll talk. If you can't get anymore pictures than these… then you won't be getting a single penny from me. Understood? (calm phone gibberish) Wonderful… I'll see you soon… darling" she hung up the phone gently with her witch like hands. The pictures she had on her hand were photos of Anabel and Ash… eating, talking and laughing with each other. She giggled for awhile before crumpling them and burning them into her fire place.
"Hmm… this just might make it to the new headlines… hehehehe" her seductive giggle was so intimidating that Satan himself would be peeing in his pants like a wussy.
(Back in Anabel's house later that day)
Ash was having a nice nap with the wounded Eevee in the living room. The only sound there was the cracking of the fire wood in the fire place. Everything was so silent and peaceful that not even world war III would be able to wake them up. Anabel came back out of the bathroom to see the cute scene between the boy and his Pokemon. Pikachu was lying on his shoulder while Aipom was on the mattress snoring into the evening. Ash's soft cuddly face lay bare on the resting place on the chair giving it a very comfortable position. His cheeks still had the remains of his childish baby fat which she thought they were kind of cute. The little Zs under his eyes were his identity signatures making anyone recognize him in an instant. Ash usually had his mom or Mr. Mime put makeup to hide those trademarks so that he wouldn't be harassed by crazed fans who would want a piece of his T-shirt or a strain of his hair.
Anabel giggled as she placed a blanket over her guest. There was no other word for it. She would call Ash her friend, guest or visitor but no matter how you would look at it, that boy was practically living with her! He cooks, clean, walk the Pokemon and do all the necessary house chores. He would truly make for an ideal husband one day.
Whoa! "What was I thinking? Husband? I'm not even old enough to be officially married yet!" Anabel shook away the thought, hoping that she would never hear it ever again. She then sat on the chair opposite of Ash over the table. Her eyes felt a little weak from all the moving around this afternoon. She had been bringing warm and cold water nonstop for Ash when he was taking care of that little Pokemon. When they finally stopped she literally threw the buckets away wishing that she would never see them again as long as she lived. Just when she was about to close her eyes and wander off to dream land, she noticed a strange scar on Ash's throat. It looked a bit deep and pale. The colors of his neck was a bit lighter, meaning that he just been healed recently. Perhaps he earned that scar during his travels, but if he did then it would've been one life threatening wound.
She decided to ignore it and closed her eyes to follow Ash's example, but before she could even place her tea cup on the table… a knock came through the door. "Who could that be in this hour?" she asked herself as she walked up to the peek hole on the door. "Yes? Who is it?" there was no response. The knocking had stopped and there doesn't seem to be anyone outside. Anabel gently opened the door, letting out little by little. "Hello?" she asked, but there was no reply. She fully opened the door to see no one on the other side. It was suspicious at first but when she saw the set of foot prints on the snow, she knew that someone was there. "Hmm… could it be a practical joke?" she muttered out.
Click…