A HERO'S RETURN
CHAPTER 3
After Mewtwo's rant about Shadow Pokemon returning, everyone recalled his or her pokemon leaving 1 out for protection.
Ash had Pikachu and Aipom, Paul had Electivire, Team Rocket had Meowth and Wobbuffet and Sarah had Espeon.
Everyone seemed to move past the Shadow's except Sarah who couldn't help but ask,
"Ash, what did Mewtwo mean by 'your pokemon are trained to battle and purify shadows' I didn't know that was possible?" Ash looked at Paul who nodded and Ash answered her question,
"Sarah there is something you don't know. Remember when Paul and I went to Orre?" When she nodded he continued. "Well there was a shadow pokemon outbreak in Orre. We were requested by Arceus to help, and so he gave all our pokemon the ability to overpower even the shadows and have them pure energy inside them. That was for 2 reasons. The first being our pokemon couldn't become shadows. The other being they can use the purity in them to combine with a attack, that attack if powerful enough it would pierce the darkness and revert them to normal." As he finished he saw the amazed looks on Sarah's and the rockets faces. Paul decided to end their amazement.
"That doesn't mean its easy, they're still Shadows and stronger than normal. Its like catching pokemon, you have to attack a lot to weaken it to get the dark out before using purity ones." Paul explained and that seems to do the trick as they all nodded.
They group sat around and watched clips of the past on Ash's and Paul's Nano-Dexes.
After Orre Ash deemed Paul ok to have one despite not being open to the public yet and made a special request to for it. While Ash's has a red band and blue screen Paul's has a black band and white screen.
Then they saw one clip on Paul's Nano-Dex that made Ash feel like not everybody was against him.
ON THE HOLOGRAM FROM PAULS NANO-DEX
"Activate Video Log" They heard Paul command Dexter.
"Video Log Recording" the watch responded.
They didn't hear anything from Paul or Dexter but got an earful of the traitors and a certain blonde champion.
"Hey guys have you seen Ash lately ive been looking all over for him?" Cynthia asked the group, who still weren't aware Paul was watching and listening.
This surprised Ash that Cynthia, big shot Sinnoh Champ, was spending time looking for little old him?
Brock answered her with,
"That loser? Why waste your time with him when you can have me?" Cynthia just smacked him and repeated herself.
"Where is Ash?" She said again but louder. This time Drew answered.
"He was a loser, we got tired of him and told him to get lost, fortunately he listened and no body's seen him since, and that was a year ago. Could be dead for all we know."
The traitors nodded in agreement while Cynthia was visibly about to blow and was trying her best not to smack someone again before answering as calmly as she could,
"How do you even say that? He's helped you countless times, saved your lives, and took time off to help all of you. You should be ashamed of yourselves! If anything you were holding him back. Ive talked to a lot of people and they say the same things. 'This one kid with a Pikachu, wow he'll go far' 'I once saw a kid battle with a little Pikachu and thought it was over. To my surprise the kid won it big. Incredible talent' Nobody ever mentioned you."
Ash's ex-friends still weren't fazed and were about to rebut but she continued yelling.
"I heard that Brock is the breeder he is today because of Ash. Dawn, how would you be a coordinator without all his help? You guys are unbelievable!" Cynthia finished angrily.
Then May spoke up, "You want him so bad find him, we couldn't care less." They all nodded and they noticed Paul when he growled and yelled,
"You just don't get it do you? You guys are good because of him, not vice-versa, you all have friends in high places because of him. Lance, him, Steven, him, Cynthia, him Mr. Goodshow, him, Scott, him, don't you get it? You've seen legendries because of him went on adventures because of him, succeeded because of him. You are all pathetic." Paul finished strongly and had everyone's attention. Cynthia broke away and announced,
"I'll find him, and when I do he'll be better than anyone. That I can already tell." And with that she ran away. Then Ash's ex-friends looked at Paul expecting more of a fight but he just said,
"Video Log, End" and with that the confused looks on the traitors faces shrank and were pulled back into Paul's watch,
Sarah was the first to recover from what they saw. She looked around before talking.
"Wow, I didn't know you were that important to her Ash." Sarah said to the boy.
"Us neither." The rocket trio said in unison once again.
"Truth is I kinda saw it coming. I even told her you were alive but I didn't know where you were." Paul said to them.
Ash finally recovered and answered,
"I remember being close but I never expected that. You know what that was about?" Ash asked his little yellow comrade.
"Im not much better than you when it comes to this kind of stuff but id have to say that the 'big shot Sinnoh champ' has a crush on 'little old you'." Pikachu answered referring to his thoughts earlier when the video log started. Ash just sighed.
"Well I guess its possible I always did like her." Ash told Pikachu and then Jessie asked,
"What did Pikachu say?" Ash responded with, "Pikachu suggested Cynthia has a crush".
He looked around and say everyone nodding in agreement that it was a possibility.
Ash just sighed and changed the subject,
"Who wants to see how I caught my Houndoom?" After he was met with cheers in approval, he started up his Nano-Dex to play back the video log.
Just as they were all situated a call came threw on Ash's Nano-Dex. As Ash answered Domino blew up as a hologram on his watch.
"Hey Domino everything ok?" Ash asked.
"Everything is good here, just checkin in on you. Did you see them yet?" Asked the holographic Domino
"We're just fine, Paul just got here so we're just relaxing. Yes I actually saw them yesterday. They didn't recognize me either but I demolished the kid in a battle." Ash finished happily with Pikachu and Aipom squeaking in agreement.
After she finished laughing she turned to Ash again,
"Congrats, good luck in the tournament starts tomorrow right?" Ash nodded and she finished with, "Ok im gonna go eat but ill watch you and Paul on TV cant wait for the finals." And with that she hung up.
"Alright back to Houndoom." Ash reminded them as they nodded.
A hologram came out of Ash's watch and became large enough be watch as a TV.
"Activate Video Log" Ash said to his watch
"Recording now Sir" The watch said back
They immediately saw a herd of Houndoom attacking another Houndoom that appeared UN able to fight back. Of course Ash leapt into action.
"Pikachu thunderbolt, Aipom mimic on Pikachu!" At the drop of a dime the mouse and monkey were in the air launching yellow electricity, but not to attack the Houndoom just to drive them away from the sick one.
Ash's plan worked and he came up to the sick one. Ash then told the Houndoom,
"Don't worry, im here to help." The Houndoom nodded and allowed Ash to treat it.
The next morning Ash was about to leave when the Houndoom appeared and said,
"Human, you have helped me in my time of need. I wish to go with you and help you help others just as you have done for me. I wish for you to be my first master."
Ash understood what Houndoom said by using his aura and happily accepted.
"Of course you can Houndoom, but im not your master, im your friend." Ash told him as he was sucked into a pokeball.
"Alright video log end." is all they heard Ash say before the holographic screen was once again sucked into incredible watch.
Ash looked around and saw the Rocket Trio crying tears of happiness, Sarah feeling bad for Houndoom and Paul giving him a look of respect.
They watched a few more videos on Ash's and Paul's Nano-Dexes.
They saw Paul catch a Hydreigon, how he beat the battle frontier except Brandon, how he trained harder and how he felt after leaving Orre with his new Nano-Dex.
On Ash's they saw, Ash picking up his Squirtle, Primeape and Pidgeot before leaving Kanto, they saw him train to get better, they saw him battle against practice coordinating to beat May and Dawn at their own game too.
After a day of lazing around in the forest they got up and started to make their way back to the hotel above the Pokemon Center, until they heard a scream.
After a short run the saw the source. It was none other than Cynthia Shirona and.., the backstabbers? Against the urge to leave they went and found out what happened. It didn't take long. Cynthia and the traitors were all surrounded. By what?
Shadows.
That's when Ash and Paul came to the rescue, not before activating video-log on their Nano-Dexes as evidence.
"Pikachu, Aipom, iron tail!" Once again said pokemon leapt from Ash's shoulders and hit a shadow nidorino and nidorina. Seeing they wernt getting back up they moved on.
"Electivire purifying thunder on everything they hit!" Electivire nodded and shot a white beam of electricity at anything that was on the floor after taking Pikachu and Aipom's iron tail.
After taking out and purifying about 13 shadows Paul turned to the 'victims' and asked
"What happened here? Where did they come from and Did you catch/touch any of them" He asked in rapid succession as both he and Ash had their watches ready to record an answer.
"What gives you the right to know?" Asked an aggregated redhead. This got Ash to snap.
"Shut Up! Those were Shadow Pokemon, we just saved your lives, the wont hesitate to kill anything, We are certified to handle any shadow outbreak by Arceus himself so I suggest you stop being a stubborn runt and answer him or we wont help again because once you seen them, they don't go away." Ash said while putting her in her place and drawing a smirk from Paul, Sarah and the Rockets.
"We saw Cynthia walking, we went to say 'hello'. Those shadow pokemon jumped from the bushes and attacked. We ran but the cornered us, that's when you came." Answered Cilan the green haired man.
"Okay that's what Im looking for. You could learn a think of to about manners from this man Mrs. Waterflower." Ash said, now calm again.
"Wait a minute, Red? Paul? Why'd you help?" Asked Max
"Because we can't let Shadows attack anyone even you." Answered an annoyed Paul
Cynthia then noticed the man with the Pikachu and Aipom rubbing their cheeks on his.
"Excuse me but what's your name?" Cynthia asked the man; to be sure it was Red aka Ash
"Red. Red Satoshi at your service. This is my buddy Pikachu." "Hey Cynthia, hey jackasses" Pikachu said causing Ash to smirk and continue "And my other buddy Aipom." "Hey Hey Hey" Aipom said to the group.
"Im Sarah" Sarah said as she was finally noticed
"And we're" The trio started before they were rudely interrupted
"TEAM ROCKET! You wont get our pokemon!" Yelled the traitors.
The Trio couldn't help it and looked at Ash. Then he sighed and nodded giving them permission. Then they got into position and music played from Ash's Nano-Dex.
"We'd hate to burst your bubble!" Jessie stated
"But we are aren't apart of all that rubble!" James came in next
"To protect our boss from devastation!" started Jessie
"To unite our pay-checks in salvation," added James
"To announce our new jobs with truth and love!" Jessie went again
"To keep our heads below the stars above!" James said
"Jessie!"
"James!"
"Team Rocket protects with all our might!"
"Surrender now or you're in for a fight!"
"Meowth, that's right!"
"Woooooobafet!"
As they finished they saw a clapping Ash, Paul and Sarah and a sweat dropping group of traitors and a wide-eyed Champion still looking at 'Red'.
"What they're saying is, they aren't stealing anymore they're my 'bodyguards'" Ash cleared up for his friends.
"Stealin no, cheatin, yes!" Meowth said as he eyes Jessie obviously still angry about the game of cards the other night.
As Jessie James Meowth and Wobbuffet ran around in a circle, Cynthia turned to Ash,
"Can I talk to you alone?" As he nodded she spoke again "Pokemon Center 15 minutes."
She walked away as she saw Ash nod. Paul saw this and turned to Ash,
"Think she knows?" Ash only nodded. That's when Misty decided to be annoying again
"Knows what? Who are you? What were those things and why did Paul help us?" Misty practically yelled the last question but Ash answered anyways
"What Cynthia knows is between me, her and Paul, I'm Red Satoshi, I battled Max the other day, those were Shadow Pokemon and Paul helped because deep down inside him and beneath his anger, well that's just more anger, but underneath that is someone who almost gives a shit." As Ash finished up answering Misty's annoying questions everyone except Paul laughed.
"Well we'd love to stay and chat but we all have dates." Drew said as he waved his arm towards his group. Then they left, arm-in-arm, Brock with Misty, Drew with May, Gary with Dawn and Iris with Cilan.
Ash just laughed because as they were walking away the girls couldn't help but look at him again. Ash just ignored them and turned to The Rocket Trio,
"I didn't know you changed your motto again? What is it a weekly thing now?" Ash asked them with Sarah nodding, also wanting an answer. Jessie just answered,
"Well all those twerps have heard that motto before so we just tweaked it a little to show we aren't thieves anymore." James and Meowth got off Wobbuffet and started nodding.
Then Meowth realized something,
"AH, guys its almost 10! Da nurse at the center said dats when da doors lock!" Meowth yelled as he and everybody yelled and took off back to the hotel.
At the speed they were going it didn't take long but they still only made it with 5 minutes to spare, a little too close for comfort. They all saw a blonde champion sitting in the lobby obviously waiting for Ash. They all saw this and decided to leave them alone.
"Ill see you tomorrow Ash," Paul said as he went to his room.
"Goodnight, see you later" Sarah said as she too left.
"Night Boss" The Rockets said in unison.
"Wobba!" Added the blue blob as he followed The Rocket Trio to their rooms.
Ash expected Cynthia to be angry with him for leaving and ask him for help with the Shadow problem just as Arceus had, but was surprise by what really happened.
After everyone left the lobby Ash turned to Cynthia, took off his hood and showed himself. He wasn't the same little kid anymore, his features were more grown up and he looked more mature, but anyone who looks into his eyes would know who it was.
Cynthia just stood their for a minute before running at him, throwing her arms around him and crying into his chest, sobbing something about 'don't leave me again'.
To say Ash was surprised was an understatement but wrapped his arms around her to comfort her anyway. This got smirks from both the pokemon on his shoulders, but decided not to bother him about it until they were at the room.
After a while Ash managed to stop Cynthia's crying but she still refused to let go of him, but they still had a conversation anyways.
"Why'd you leave? What happened?" Cynthia questioned him, despite it opening up old wounds Ash told her anyway.
He told her about the Unova League, them telling him to quit, them siding with Trip and attacking and told her about the Nano-Dex. He conveniently left out the part where Arceus spoke through them. When she heard that Ash was holding back all these years she was surprised that he was that good even while toned down.
"So what can you do when Arceus lets you go full power?" Cynthia questioned him again.
He thought for a little bit before answering,
"While holding back im usually the level as a kid starting out but the further into the journey I hold back less but Arceus always told me to never use my entire abilities. Without holding back my pokemon are on a champion level but Arceus says that I am never to use all my power." He looked at the shocked Cynthia before she asked another question.
"Do your pokemon know you're the Chosen One and they are more powerful than they appear?" Ash nodded his head and gave a real answer,
"Yes right after I catch them they gain all new abilities and they sense they are 'Chosen Pokemon' that's what Arceus called them. They also know they cant go full power and it frustrates them too. But now after all these years I have all my pokemon at the level their powers would take them 5 years ago. So in other words, my pokemon are on champion level without the boost Arceus gives us." Ash finished feeling a little proud of him.
Cynthia was awestruck; the little goofy kid she met was an act?
After just standing there letting Cynthia hug him for a half an hour Ash heard her talk again.
"Its getting late, im gonna go back to my hotel. See you tomorrow?" Ash nodded and waited another few seconds as it still took a little while for Cynthia to stop hugging him.
As she was almost out the door she turned around, ran back to Ash and kissed his cheek and said,
"They said you were dead, I knew you wouldn't leave Me." Before running out of the center.
Ash touched his cheek, smiled and walked back to his room with Pikachu and Aipom.
As morning came around Ash came out of his room to see the Rockets, not in their white uniforms, black gloves with matching boots and big red 'R' but disguised as an elderly couple.
James was wearing a grey wig, carrying a cane, wearing a monical. He had a pink jacket on with white golf pants on.
Jessie had a light blonde wig on that wasn't as long as her real hair but still longer than James' wig. She was wearing reading glasses and had a blue dress on with a red jacket.
"Really, you couldn't think of anything better?" Ash asked before once again being amazed as they threw off those and revealed much better ones.
James had a blue long sleeved shirt and black jeans and his hair moved out of his face.
Jessie had a green dress and a matching purse with her hair tied up.
Meowth and Wobbuffet were hiding in a trench coat and hat with Meowth standing on Wobbuffet.
Ash and Sarah laughed as they all went to the lobby to meet Paul.
"Im here, are we going to the ceremony yet?" Paul asked as he came down the other flight of steps.
"Yea lets go, Sarah you Jessie and James go wait in the stands the floor is only for participants." Ash told the girl. Sarah nodded as the walked to the stadium.
As they approached Ash and Paul broke away from Sarah and the Trio and went to the ceremony while Sarah took the Rockets to wait in the stands.
As Ash and Paul entered they saw a lot of tough trainers. That didn't matter to them; Ash and Paul made a silent promise to fight in the finals.
Then Mr. Goodshow appeared on the stage. Took the microphone and started his speech.
"As you all know this is the Tournament of Champions. You were all invited because you are all exceptionally talented trainers. As much as you are all talented only one can be the best. The Very Best. Now there are 64 of you here now. There are 2 preliminary rounds each 1-on-1. After that there will be 16 of you left. The next 2 rounds will be 3-on-3 battles until there are only 4 people left. That's full battles. Any questions?" Nobody asked a question and Goodshow spoke again,
"Let the Tournament begin!" the crowd broke into cheers as Ash looked at Paul and said,
"Its time for me to return." Paul nodded then they both walked out of the stadium back to the hotel.
I DON'T OWN ANYTHING ABOUT POKEMON.
IF YOU WANT TO SEND ME AN OC JUST LEAVE IT IN THE REVIEWS AND ILL SEE WHAT I CAN DO. BE SURE TO REVIEW I WELCOME CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM.
ALSO I DIDN'T INVENT 'GRASS LEDGEND' AND I APOLOGIZE TO WHOEVER DID AND IF YOU WANT ME TO TAKE IT OUT JUST TELL ME AND ILL CHANGE IT I NEVER MENT TO STEAL
ILL TRY AND GET CHAPTER FOUR UP SOON NEXT CHAPTER IS ASH'S FIRST BATTLE