Chapter 5- Dinner and a Show
"He's a joke, a goddamn joke!" The Spider shouted. Behind him his trainer was seated on a velvet couch nodding in agreement. "Of course he is, but he's already been chosen as your opponent." The Spider paced around his room "Why couldn't they have gotten someone else, someone who could fight back, instead I have to go against this second-stringer who doesn't have a chance in hell of beating me." "So what? This will be the easiest million dollars you'll ever make in your life, so why the fuck are you complaining?"
Suddenly there was a knock at the door, a young attractive woman poked her head inside the room. "What!" The Spider screamed at her "There's a Mr. Simon asking for you," The Spider turned to his trainer who shrugged.
"Send him in." The Spider said taking a seat on the couch. The young secretary opened the door for Mr. Simon. "Mr. Daniels its good to see you," he said addressing The Spider "You've been training almost non-stop, haven't you?" He continued, The Spider sneered at Mr. Simons comment "For this fight? Hell no, I'm not planning on allowing this fight to last more than two minutes."
Mr. Simon took a seat across from the Spider "Yes, I've been meaning to talk to you about that. You see my associates and I would very much appreciate it if you were to drag this fight on a little bit longer, say about twenty or thirty minutes." The Spider laughed "You want me to toy with him?" Mr. Simon shook his head "We want you to give us a good show, don't end it so early, the crowd is expecting a lengthy fight between two top notch competitors, they don't want to see a street bum getting murdered by a superior trainer."
The Spider leaned back in his chair "Mr. Simon I don't waste my time for free, I'm assuming there will be some compensation for my time, correct?" Mr. Simon reached into his pocket and pulled out a small slip of paper, he handed it to The Spider "That right there is a check for an additional one hundred and fifty-thousand dollars, and if that's not enough, you'll also get your opponents one hundred thousand once you're finished." The Spider looked down at the check with a grin.
"So do we have a deal Mr. Daniels?" The Spider nodded "Excellent," Mr. Simon said standing up "Oh and one other thing, there will be a dinner tonight at the Antica Pesa, I will expect to see you there, in order to, how you say, rile up the crowd."
The Spider crossed his arms "Well Mr. Simon that might cost you twenty-thousand dollars." "Do not make the fatal mistake of trying to extort more money out of me Mr. Daniels," Mr. Simon snapped "You have your money now and you'll receive more later, but now it is time that you give some charity to the people who will be cheering for you. I shall see you at the Antica Pesa at eight thirty dressed in formal attire." Mr. Simon bowed his head to them "Good day gentlemen."
The door to Ash's apartment creaked loudly as he entered the apartment, awakening May who had been resting on the couch. She smiled when she saw him "Hey," She said standing up. She walked over to him and pulled him in for a kiss, Ash gently kissed her back before being interrupted by Pikachu who shoved its face between them. May giggled as she took Pikachu into her arms and began gently stroking the Pokémon's head. "Chaa!" The little Pokémon said happily.
May looked back up at Ash with a grin on her face "So, I went into town and called Professor Birch today," She said. "Oh yeah, what'd he say?" Ash asked as Pikachu clambered onto May's shoulder nuzzling its cheeks against her.
May giggled again before continuing "Well for one he's thrilled that I'll be competing again and two he'll be sending my Pokémon over as soon as possible."
Ash was thrilled to hear this news "May that's awesome! I can see it now, the Princesses of Hoenn makes her triumphant return to the contest stage!" May blushed at the name "And Ash Ketchum the King of Kanto makes his return," She said; Ash grinned at her "Well let's not get too far ahead of ourselves." He said going into the kitchen.
"Well why not Ash?" May asked following him "I mean you could at least try to get your license back." Ash pulled out a large bottle of whiskey and a glass, he glanced down at the bottle then back at her "Have you been drinking?" he asked pointing to the bottle, May frowned at him "Ash I mean it, you even told me that you might be able to get your license back."
Ash ran a hand through his hair "It's not that simple," he said filling his glass to the rim "I can't just walk in there and ask for my license back, there's an entire questioning process I have to go through. Like why did I lose it in the first place, what have I been doing for the last few years, and why do I want to train Pokémon again." May took a step forward as Ash gulped down his drink.
"What could you have possibly done that was so horrific that they took your license away," Ash looked down at his empty glass and shrugged his shoulders, "Ash I want to know, please let me help you." She pleaded
Ash glanced up at her, taking her by the hand and pulled her close to him, he looked down into her warm disarming eyes "You want to help me?" he asked, May nodded, Ash leaned in as if he were about to kiss her, May closed her eyes ready to give into the kiss, but Ash stopped a few inches from her lips.
"There's a dinner tonight at the Antica Pesa, you can help me by showing up as my date." May opened her eyes, Ash grinned and quickly leaned forward stealing a kiss from her "So what do you say?"
"Well yes of course," She said grinning "But how on earth did you manage to get a reservation?" "I didn't, it's being hosted in my honor before the big fight." May looked away from Ash "I should've known," she said with despair
"Well, look at this way, at least we get a free meal," Ash said, May tried to remain optimistic "Well if we're going to the Antica Pesa I had better get my nicest dress."
"That's the spirit!" Ash exclaimed hugging May once more. Letting go, he watched as May left to go change; once she was out of sight he poured himself another drink.
May dressed herself in a dazzling ocean blue dress, with one shoulder covered and the other left exposed the dress stopped mid thigh and revealed her hour glass figure. She was stunning in it. Ash on the other hand found that the nicest clothes he owned were a grey button up shirt and black slacks.
As they prepared to leave someone knocked on the door. Ash opened it and was surprised to see Officer Jenny. "May I come in?" She asked. Ash opened the door for her. "Thank you." She said entering the room, she scanned his apartment before spotting May "Why you look absolutely stunning." "Yeah, I tried to tell her that. She does look wonderful don't she." May blushed at the compliments. "But why are you here?" Ash asked Jenny. "I heard about the party that's occurring this evening, and I have a favor to ask of you."
Ash let out a frustrated sigh "Come on Jenny, I already agreed to testify. What more do you want?" "Well, we need you to wear this." Jenny said pulling out a small microphone "It's a wire." She said. "Is that really necessary?" "Unfortunately it is." Ash debated whether or not to accept. If he agreed and got caught both he and May would be killed, which is risk he couldn't take. "I'm sorry, but I'm not going to." "Well that's unfortunate. In that case I'll be forced to take you in." Jenny pulled out her cuffs and prepared to restrain him "Wait! I'll wear it!" May exclaimed.
"May you don't have to do this." Ash said "I'll be fine, plus they'd never suspect me."
"Alright Miss Maple, if that is what you want then I'll allow it." Jenny handed over the equipment to her. "I'll meet you back here once the event is over." When Jenny left Ash confronted May "Why May? You don't need to put yourself in danger like this." "Because I don't want you to keep fighting Ash! If there's a way I can help put a stop to it then I will."
The sun had already begun to set as the three rode into the glowing city. As Ash navigated through the city they finally came to a white walled building with the words "Antica Pesa" written in fine cursive out on the front. A doorman held the doors to the building open for them as they walked inside.
The inside of the building was filled with wine bottles that lined the white walls situated above the black leather booths. Waiters dressed in fancy tuxedos roamed about tending to their guests every need, one waiter approached them.
"Mr. Ketchum please follow me, we have a table waiting for you," The waiter said in a thick Italian accent. May held Ash's hand as the waiter led them to their table.
All around them wealthy businessman sat at their tables telling jokes or trading stories with fellow patrons, most of these men were in there mid fifties or sixties and had wives that were in there twenties.
Along the way these wealthy men would quickly stand and introduce themselves to Ash "Mr. Ketchum my name is Mr. Julius it's a pleasure to meet you, I'm sure you'll give us all a great show." One of the patrons said, another stood and greeted Ash "Mr. Ketchum, I have a lot of money placed on you, don't disappoint me." Ash just nodded nervously as he moved along to his table. It felt awkward greeting these people, having never experienced this sort of thing before was certainly a mind numbing experience for him.
Finally they arrived at their table and found James sitting alone drinking a bottle of scotch. "You plan on sharing that?" Ash asked, James looked up at him and grinned "Nope, but don't worry I already ordered you a bottle of whiskey." Ash lightly slapped James on the shoulder
"God bless you James." He said taking a seat next to him. The waiter returned to their table with a large bottle of whiskey and a bottle of champagne.
"You order that champagne also?" Ash asked James as the waiter set the bottle down on the table "No, I did." Mr. Simon said taking a seat at the table.
"Hey Mr. Simon, how are you doing?" Ash asked reaching across the table shaking Mr. Simon's hand "I'm doing very well Mr. Ketchum and I'm expecting great things from you tomorrow," Ash pulled the cork off the bottle of whiskey and poured himself a glass "Well I'll do what I can," Ash said.
Mr. Simon glanced over at May and extended his hand "Names Simon." May shook his hand "May," She replied "You know May, you've got yourself quite a man here, without him we would never have raised as much money as we did if he hadn't decided to fight." "Well you know Mr. Simon when you offered me one hundred dollars I just couldn't refuse." Ash said before finishing off his glass of whiskey.
"Yes, well I have to go, the shows about to start." Mr. Simon quickly rose from his chair and left the four, Ash turned to James.
"What's he mean by 'show'?" James shrugged his shoulders. Suddenly the lights in the restaurant dimmed, a white projector screen slid down from the ceiling, and the sound of an old film projector could be heard before a clip depicting The Spider flashed up on the screen.
"They're not really going to play this shit, right?"Ash thought to himself, he shifted nervously in his seat and glanced over at May, who had her eyes glued to the screen.
The first clip depicted The Spider walking to the middle of the arena facing off against an unnamed opponent, the projector transitioned to a clip of him engaging in combat, with the trainer, along with his two Pokémon. The spider held an obvious advantage as the other trainer was far less skilled. The clip ended abruptly with The Spider decapitating his opponent. The people in the restaurant clapped at the scene and murmured quietly amongst themselves.
Ash glanced over at May who was watching the screen with a look of horror struck across her face. The next clip showed The Spider facing off against two trainers and there Arbok.
The Spider moved with such grace and agility as he neared his opponents, his Pokémon worked together in perfect harmony as they attacked and disarmed the trainers.
The Spider faced the two trainers head on, stabbing the first in the chest and finally slaying the second one with his shield. Again more cheers through the crowd.
May covered her eyes and placed her head on Ash's shoulder. The clips on the screen shifted again, except this time the clip was of Ash.
It showed him in mid battle with a fellow trainer, together Ash and the other trainer faced off against two other trainers in a tag team battle. One of the opposing trainers had just slashed at Ash piercing his arm, in the clip Ash responded by thrusting his lightning bolt forward impaling the trainer in the chest. Ash watched as the trainer slumped onto the ground.
Ash suddenly felt May begin to uncover her eyes, not wanting her to see the footage he placed his hand over her.
Ash's fellow trainer was struggling to keep up with his opponent, who was far superior in skill. The Pokémon from the trainer Ash had slain suddenly charged at him, Ash hastily ordered Pikachu to use thunderbolt to subdue the raging Pokémon.
The clip suddenly cut to a shot of the enemy trainer diving head first to the ground followed by a large explosion, as the trainer staggered up to his feet Ash's lightning bolt suddenly impaled him through the chest.
Ash shuddered as he remembered that day. The clips continued to roll with off and on between Ash and The Spider.
After each clip with The Spider the people in the restaurant would applaud and cheer as if they were their, at one point a man stood up and yelled "Splendid kill!" but after each clip of Ash, he'd hardly get a single enthusiastic clap.
Finally after what seemed like hours the clips ended, the projector rolled up, the lights came back on, and Ash uncovered May's eyes."I'm sorry," Ash whispered.
Suddenly the room filled with roaring applause Ash whipped around to see The Spider walking inside waving at the people. He made eye contact with Ash and smirked.
Ash turned around and took a drink of his whiskey. As the applause slowly began to subside, May leaned over to Ash "Ash can we go now, I think we have enough evidence." She asked Ash nodded and leaned over to James.
"Hey James, May and I are going to leave now, I'll see you tomorrow, ok?" "Kid, they haven't even served dinner yet." "Yeah I know, but May's tired and besides I could use some rest." James eyed Ash suspiciously but nodded.
"Alright kid, I guess I ought to be going too." Ash stood up from the table to go, along with May, James, and Pikachu. As he turned to go he bumped straight into The Spider, The Spider shoved him back "Watch it, punk." The Spider sneered, Ash tensed up as he prepared to throw a punch, but stopped himself when James grabbed his arm.
He glanced over at him and saw him shake his head. "I'll do my talking in the arena," Ash said relaxing "With what? You and that rat of yours?" The Spider said pointing to Pikachu James took a step forward "Listen here you son of a bitch! This kid's going to make you eat fucking dirt off the goddamn stadium floor!"
The restaurant was filled with murmurs. The Spider shrugged off James comment and shifted his gaze towards May.
"Damn girl you're fine, you know what, after tomorrow why don't you stop by my place and we can have little fun," May looked away nervously, Ash shoved The Spider onto one of the tables spilling all the glasses and plates to the floor.
The Spider quickly recovered and grabbed Ash by the collar Ash did the same seizing The Spiders collar. The two men stared each other down with fire burning in their eyes "I thought about going easy on you, maybe let you live, but now I've decided that I'm going to crack your skull open."
"Good luck." Ash replied shoving The Spider off him. Ash wrapped his arm around May and returned outside.
As Ash left the building The Spider brushed himself off. Glancing up The Spider saw Mr. Simon sitting at one of the tables watching the entire ordeal with a grin on his face. The Spider approached him "How was that?" The Spider asked taking a seat across from him "Perfect." He replied.
Outside the restaurant James approached them "Tomorrow kid you're going to wipe the floor with him, you're gunna give him a very bad day." "Yeah, alright James I'll be sure to do that." Ash replied.
James nodded and went his separate way back into the city, Ash, May, and Pikachu returned to the motorcycle. The ride back home was silent except for the loud humming of the motorcycle engine.
When they reached the apartment they found Jenny waiting for them outside. "Did you get anything?" Jenny asked. May nodded and handed her the wire "I got the names of a couple of associates." She said. Jenny took the wire and placed it in a small leather briefcase. She turned back to them "You're doing good work, seriously. Now if there is anything else you feel the need to share with me, now's the time." Ash thought for a moment before pulling out the card that Simon had given him. "On here is the address of the venue I'm fighting at tomorrow." Jenny took the card and quickly scribbled down the address on separate piece of paper. "Thank you, is there anybody that I should know of who'll be in attendance?" "I don't know there names, but a lot of the big fish will be there. If I was you, I'd make your move on them tomorrow."
Jenny thanked them for the info before taking off.
At the apartment Ash opened the door for May. After entering the apartment himself Ash immediately went for a glass of whiskey.
As he poured himself a glass May approached him "Ash I don't want you to fight tomorrow," She said quietly "I don't either May, but I have to." Ash said taking a sip of his whiskey.
"Please Ash, I never realized how bad these fights were until tonight, I never actually thought you could die."
"Well what would you have me do? Not show up tomorrow? Go and get my trainer's license? Start a new journey collecting gym badges and become a Pokémon Master?"
"Yes Ash! Why couldn't you!" She screamed "Because it's not that simple May, after what I've done I can't just go back to the way things used to be."
Grabbing his glass Ash finished off the last bit of whiskey inside it. Instead of pouring himself another glass he chose to instead grab the bottle and drink straight from it. The intense burning it created in Ash's throat made him gag some of the whiskey back up onto himself. May looked on in disgust.
"Ash look at yourself, you're destroying yourself! Every night you wake up screaming, then you drink constantly and for what!?" She walked over to him and gently rested her hands on his shoulder "Please Ash," She said quietly "I want you to be free, free from all of this."
Ash glanced down at his bottle and saw that it was empty he pulled May off him and walked to over to the cabinet and pulled out another bottle.
"You think if I stop fighting I'll be free?" he asked "Even if I stop fighting I can never be free." He yanked the cork off the bottle "And you know what you're right, every night I wake up screaming, because if I'm not haunted by my failure as a trainer I'm reminded about what I've done in the arena."
"Ash, I found the newspaper article under your bed, what could you have done that was so bad that you can't move on?" Ash staggered away from May visibly drunk by this point. "Ash don't you walk away from me!" She shouted following him. "You wanna know!" he shouted turning to face her "For the love of God Ash tell me!" She screamed
"Fine! You want to know that I nearly killed my Pokémon!" He exclaimed, May looked at him blankly "What?" Ash took another gulp of his drink.
"It was the final battle of the Kalos league there was just this one trainer that stood in my way of becoming champion. Victory was so close, so close that I could fucking taste it, and man, it tasted so good." Ash wiped away some of the whiskey that was streaming down his chin.
"That day I didn't give a shit about what happened to my Pokémon; every time they got hit I felt nothing. I allowed them to continually endure the other trainer's attacks even when they had nothing left. By the end of the battle two of my Pokémon were placed in critical condition and I was being heckled and spat on by the crowd."
Ash took another drink of his whiskey "Then the next thing I know I'm getting my license taken from me along with all my badges, awards, prizes and all of my Pokémon." May listened, horrified at what she was hearing
"So there I'm, out on the streets, drifting around aimlessly, when one day I get robbed by four guys who take my money and run off, and as I'm lying their face down on the concrete, all I wanted was to die. But this guy, James, he finds me and cleans me up and offers me a job. The next thing I know I'm fighting in the arena."
Ash leaned up against the wall and wiped away more of the whiskey from his chin "I had this buddy that I met while James was training me, and we'd always be hanging out together and I remember how we'd always talk about how we'd get out of the city and move to a beach somewhere find us a couple of girls and just sit back, relax, and live the good life." Ash paused here and grinned as he reflected back on those days.
"Then one day they tell us we're fighting together, against two well seasoned fighters, we promised each other we'd watch each other's backs, but it didn't fucking matter. It was utter chaos in there, just a mass of confusion between us and our Pokémon."
Ash ran a hand through his sweaty hair "During the fight I somehow managed to get the slip on one of the guy's and his Pokémon, and just when I turn around to help my friend I see this giant explosion." Ash's body began to tremble as tears began flowing down his cheeks.
"I turn around to see the other trainer's Pokémon blew up on my friend throwing him everywhere… then I see the other guy getting up so I threw my weapon into his heart." Ash's hands were trembling.
"I run over to my friend and find his fucking body ripped open. He has both his hands on his stomach trying to keep everything inside him. I remember his blood was everywhere, on the floor, on his clothes and on me." Ash bit his lip to prevent himself from bursting out into tears "I'll never forget," He began "I'll never forget that while I was searching the floor for his goddamn liver he's lying there screaming for his mother."
"So I'm trying my best to keep my hand covering his heart and I'm looking around the crowd…and the crowd…The crowds cheering, there's a man dying in my arms, AND THERE FUCKING CHEERING!" Ash hurled the bottle of whiskey across the room shattering it against the wall.
Slumping to the floor Ash began crying hysterically.
"I can't get those images out of my head May, I can't get them out, every night I think back to those days" May cautiously approached him and gently wrapped her arms around him. "I don't want to fight anymore May." He said between sobs.
Ash pulled her closer to him hugging her tightly. He rested his head on her shoulder sobbing "Ash it's ok, it's ok now." May whispered. Ash kept his head resting on May's shoulder as he continued to weep; May remained there with Ash for the rest of the night allowing him to shed his tears.
