Hey Everybody! It's really late over here, and I have to get up for Church in the morning, so I'm going to keep this part short. To summarize, this is by far the longest chapter I've written in at least twenty or so chapters (it may be the longest ever, but I'm too tired to check). It's 11,500 words by itself, and I can't begin to describe how many hours it took of editing and re-editing once it was finished to make me actually happy (though I DO really like this chapter; definitely in my top eight or so). So yeah, there's that. There's also the fact that the last two weeks have been test weeks for me, and so free time has been scarce between cram sessions and lectures.
However, none of this should serve as an excuse for taking five weeks to get this to you guys. I really am sorry I can't be more consistent with my updates. I keep putting up these two week deadlines and failing miserably, but I refuse to back off of them because I know if I don't make them, then chapters would likely never be finished at all! I'm mad at myself for not having more determination to finish this story as it comes to a close, and I'm afraid this is costing me readers just as the story's coming to its greatest climax and then conclusion.
So if you're reading this, please, please keep the faith with me here. It's hard, but I can guarantee a quicker update than this chapter, and I really do promise it only gets better from this point on. It's a decent chapter, and hopefully it's considerable length (well over thirty pages single space) will make up, at least partially, for the time failure.
Also, if you commented on last chapter and haven't gotten the timeline yet, you will, promise! Again, it's taken me a while to get it completely configured, because I had to go back and read every chapter up to now to make sure the timing was exactly right with the dates, and if the dates didn't add up I actually went back and edited the chapter so they did. So basically, it took a while to get that finished too.
If you didn't comment on this chapter though, and want a timeline for this story, please leave a comment on this chapter letting me know and I'll get it out to you. Now that it's finished, it's very easy to send to anyone who wants it!
And now, without further ado, read and REVIEW PLEASE!
Disclaimer: I do not own Pokemon, or any of its affiliated companies including, but not limited to, 4Kids, The Pokemon Company, Game Freaks, or Cartoon Network. The characters written within this fic are soley based upon the fictional characters created by these companies, and the story is not meant to, nor will it, receive any monetary funding.
Characters' Ages:
Ash: 17
Brock: 22
Misty: 18
Delia: 41
Oak: 56
How odd. It's been over a year since it all started. It began right here, though, in this town. Here is where I decided I'd take Misty with me, and where Mallory took off with my Pokémon. Here's where the accident happened. Has it really been that long already?
Ash continued to muse silently as he walked along the dirt path shortcut that he'd taken his first day as a trainer. Of course, he wasn't sprinting like he had then, but the same feeling of urgency was beginning to rise in his chest as he drew closer to the lab. It had been over a year, but he couldn't quite shake the eery feeling he got when thinking about what he was about to do.
It was nice and dark. He appreciated this greatly. The weather had begun to change, but right now it felt perfect outside. It was cool, but not cold, and the night - or rather, early morning - air was completely still. Save for a few misplaced Pidgey, the world was completely at peace. It made him realize how fortunate he was to have a place like this to come back to. He spent most of his time in large towns or cities during his journeys, after all. If he was from some grand place like Celadon or Goldenrod, it would just be more of the same.
No, here he had a nice, quaint place; a place where every nook and cranny held some special childhood or adolescent memory.
There it was. In the distance, the windmill atop Oak's lab spun slowly. He'd always wondered what that was for...
"There you are, Ash," Oak answered happily through the intercom of his gate. "I'll open the gates. I'm in the middle of getting breakfast ready for today's releasees, but I'll meet you at the front."
"Thanks."
The metallic gates slowly opened, inviting the raven-haired trainer to enter. Stepping through, he followed the winding path up to the old man's door.
Opening the door, Oak instantly revealed a small pokéball within his grasp.
"Here you are."
Professor Oak handed Ash the pokéball. "I'll go get Pikachu from the field right now."
"Do you mind if I walk back there with you?"
"Not at all. Come on." It was only four-thirty, but the grey-haired professor appeared fully awake and ready to start the day. Ash had to admire his gumption. He'd been doing this for almost forty years, and showed no signs of slowing down yet.
Nodding, he followed close behind, and shut the door as the two stepped out. Apparently, Oak already knew where his yellow friend was located as he wandered off in the darkness in a seemingly familiar direction.
Ash stood there for a few moments, the only light in the expansive territory the fluorescent porch bulb flickering above his head.
The wet dew upon the grass clung to his jeans as he stood there, listening to the quiet. Several hundred Pokémon slept peacefully as stars continued to twinkle above, and Ash smiled as he occasionally recognized what was probably the silhouette of one of his partners. More peace was a nice thing...not like what you got in battles. Had he been missing out on all of this during his climb to the top?
Oak had said the Pokémon had continued to mourn the loss of their friends long after Ash left, but it appeared as if they'd finally tired themselves out, and he was thankful for that.
"Here he is," Oak announced with a smile as Pikahcu ran around from behind him and scurried up Ash's side onto his shoulder.
"Pika-pikachu-pi?"
"I'll tell you what's going on in a minute, okay buddy?"
"Pi."
Oak gave Ash a concerned look. "I don't like this Ash. Why not just drive to Cerulean? Or maybe get a flight?"
"What do you call Charizard?"
"You know what I mean, Ash. Don't be a smart-alek. Why not fly on a plane?"
"I used to ride Charizard all of the time...I'm not gonna let one little accident stop me from ever doing it again. If it wasn't for him, I probably wouldn't have survived that fall, after all."
Oak nodded. "I agree, but I still think you're going to give your mother an unnecessary heart attack by doing this."
"She'll understand. It's important that I get there as fast as possible, and Charizard's a lot more private than a plane."
Oak gave a slight nod.
"...and it's not like I'm not scared at all. I mean, I was the one who took the fall, after all, but if I'm willing to try again after being put through that, I don't think anyone else should be worried."
Seeming to agree, though still silent on the issue, Oak moved on. "What do you plan on talking to the champions about, anyway?" He walked past Ash and opened up the backdoor entrance to the lab. Walking in after him, Ash shook his head.
"It's nothing important," he lied, "but I think it'd be easier to discuss in person than over the phone."
"I don't understand you, Ash."
He cocked his head a little as the two made their way to the front door.
"What do you mean?"
"You just said you wanted to stay in Pallet for a little while to relax and break, and yet here you are flying off less than a day after the funeral."
"This just can't wait, Professor. I know you don't understand, but trust me when I say it's important."
He nodded. "I believe you...I just don't understand you."
Ash gave a light laugh as he opened the door. "I don't think I understand, either."
Saying farewell for the moment, and promising to return home in one piece, Ash released Charizard from his confines.
"Do you think you could take me to Cerulean?" he asked as the dragon-like monster gave a loud, smoke-filled yawn.
Giving a slight growl, the orange Pokémon grinned and nodded.
"Good."
"Pikachu, pika-pi?" exclaimed his best friend from his shoulder, gently tugging on his right ear.
"Oh, right! I promised an explanation, huh?"
"Pika."
"Okay, so do you guys wanna know why we're going there?"
Though Charizard looked less than interested - he seemed far more intrigued at the prospect of showing off his flying strength a moment earlier - Pikachu eagerly replied with a quick "Pika!" at the question.
Realizing the need to keep any explanation simple, Ash thought quietly for a moment. "Well, Lance and Steven have secrets, and I need to find out what they are. Cynthia may have some too."
Looking a little confused still, Pikachu nevertheless gave a quick nod of understanding.
"Before we go, I need to go home. Okay, Charizard?"
The fire type was already extending his long neck toward the ground, awaiting his trainer's saddling.
A lump lurched in his gut at the sight. He'd done this a million times as a kid, but it was different now. Seeing Charizard like that...it was was just like how it started last time.
After a moment of quiet, Charizard gave a muffled grunt of inquiry. Though he was loyal to his trainer, he certainly wasn't patient with him.
"Uh, yeah. Sorry Charizard...I'm just, not feeling, uh, you know."
Of course, Charizard didn't know. He continued to look at Ash in confusion, and the former Sinnoh Champion realized just how unfazed his dragon was at the prospect of flying again.
He doesn't even remember...
It made sense, in reality. Considering the sheer number of times Charizard had fallen from the sky after an intense battle, it really shouldn't have surprised Ash at all that he'd long forgotten the near-death experience.
But it did.
Shaking his head, and bringing himself back into the present, he realized the need for action. He had a different and special relationship with each of his Pokémon. Pikachu required friendship; Squirtle, faith; and Charizard, strength. If he appeared afraid or weak, Charizard would lose a little faith in his master, and that was the last thing Ash ever wanted.
Steeling his resolve, he decided to get it over with; as if jumping into a cold pool. Jumping on, Ash was hundreds of feet in the air only a few moments later.
Looking down, he suddenly felt a little dizzy. He noticed, as if for the first time, that the moon and stars were still out...just like that night. And he was flying above Pallet...just like that night. And he was on top of Charizard...just like that night.
"Could you slow down a little, Charizard?" Ash asked above the wind whipping in his ears. "We have to be almost there."
Nodding, the flying type decelerated and decreased his altitude as they approached the Ketchum household.
As they descended, Ash realized that he was a little more scared than he'd expected to be when they took off, but as they began to near the ground, he started to feel calmer and more confident.
Though flying with Charizard really did give the added benefit of privacy and convenience, there was of course more to it than that. In his heart, he knew he hadn't fully recovered from that night over fifteen months earlier. In the back of his mind, in his nightmares, he'd still see the flash of light from the simultaneous Hyper Beams; feel himself falling down; feel himself losing his grip on Charizard. The physical recovery only took a few weeks, but the mental still hadn't come to a close. Through all of his past near-death experiences, that had somehow stuck in his mind as the most vivid.
Even Giovanni didn't get that close...
His mom, being the woman she was, had fully expressed her dissent with his decision to ride Charizard. Though she stopped herself from explicitly forbidding him, she'd done everything within her power to change his mind.
"You might feel different about riding him all the way to Cerulean when you get in the air," she'd warned. She only finally relented under the premise that he would exercise extreme caution when in flight, and even then, the bitter taste of the compromise was obvious in her face.
At the time, he scoffed at the idea of being afraid of riding Charizard. After all, he'd ridden both other Pokémon and planes since then without trouble, so why would this affect him in any adverse way? It was true that he was a little scared when thinking back to that moment specifically, but he didn't think for a moment it would affect his ability to fly with his fire type.
However, as he floated down towards his mom's small suburb, he began to realize that what she'd said was true. It was different, feeling his fire and flying type's scaly skin between his intertwined fingers, and looking down and seeing Pallet float lazily nearer to him.
Be strong, he urged, his heart still hammering; though graciously beginning to come to a slow. Charizard was the only Pokémon he had strong enough to handle such a flight; and when all of the pair's past experiences were mixed with that fact, it was obvious he needed to reconcile this psychological problem before it became a stumbling block between him and his fierce creature.
Landing on the ground with a soft thud, Ash thanked Charizard as he dismounted. Returning the Pokémon to his red and white capsule, Ash took a moment to catch his breath. He hadn't noticed mid-flight, but he'd apparently been holding it for quite some time.
Making his way up the walk, he took his key out and unlocked the front door. Doing his best to remain quiet, he squeaked the barrier open and then inched it closed. Turning, he was surprised to find the kitchen light on to his right.
It didn't surprise him at all to find his mom waiting for him, however.
"You're up pretty early," he mentioned casually; giving a small smile.
Delia returned the gesture. "I knew you said you'd tell me goodbye, but I just wanted to make sure I was awake when you did it."
"Thanks, but I really was gonna wake you up."
"I know. You want some coffee?"
Ash stuck out his tongue. "No thanks. That's still too grown-up for me."
She laughed. "It's good to hear you're still too young for something...it doesn't seem like it with all that's happened."
"I don't think what's happened has really changed anything about me...at least, I don't feel any different because of it."
"Hm." Delia nodded, looking down at her coffee. For a moment, all was calm. "Do you really need to go do this with Charizard."
"I think so...I need to get over what happened. He's been one of my most loyal friends, and I need to show that I still trust him."
"This is why I didn't like being a trainer."
"Huh?"
Delia looked up and gave a sad smile. "I hated saying goodbye. The first time I left home, I came back just two weeks later. I didn't even leave Vermillion City limits the entire time I was gone."
"You told me about that, remember?" He took a seat at the opposite side of the table. Pikachu took the opportunity to jump off his shoulder and lick Delia's hand. She smiled in reciprocation. "The week before I left, you told me if I didn't wanna go, all I had to do was say so."
"That's right...you know that offer still stands, right?"
Now Ash laughed. "I hope so. After I get my answers, I'm getting out of this business for good."
With melancholy eyes, Delia shook her head. "Don't say it's over until you're sure it's over."
Ash began to protest, but she held her hand up and instantly quieted his counter. "I know you think you know what you want, but you're seventeen years old. Your passions and decisions will change on the turn of a dime for years to come. The only consistent thing in your life has been Pokémon training, and I don't know how easy that'll be to give up once you know the truth."
He lowered his voice, and looked straight into his mom's eyes. "What's the truth, then?"
"I wish I knew myself, honey. I only know what I said yesterday...nothing less, nothing more."
"Then why do you think I'll change my mind when I find the truth?"
She shrugged. "In my life, I've noticed that people seem to make the wrong decision when they're left in the dark. Going to the champions will give you some light...and you may decide you want more."
"You mean Red?"
She nodded.
"I'd have to battle my way through Mount Silver to get to 'im."
"Then you see my point." She smiled, and Ash was temporarily shocked. His mom was the nicest woman he knew, but he'd rarely seen her in this light; the light of someone who'd seen the world.
He realized that, for the first time, they seemed to be approaching each other as adults.
That's why it's different.
"Are you going to say goodbye to Misty?"
"No, I'll let her sleep in. I need to get going, and I don't need to drag out any goodbyes with her telling me not to be stupid for an hour."
Delia snickered. "Hold onto her, Ash. That's what a good wife is for, after all."
"Huh?" His eyebrows shot up in surprise, and any remnant of the mutual maturity felt during the conversation evaporated like water as he jumped from his seat. "What do you mean wife?"
Delia rolled her eyes. "And here you were acting so grown-up...I guess you're still not ready, then."
"For marriage? I'm seventeen!"
Delia pressed her forefinger to her lips gently. "You'll wake them up. And I didn't say I wanted you to get married yet, but have you've honestly not thought about it at all?"
Ash shook his head. "Of course not!"
"Well, I can tell you she has, so you better start."
This elicited a scoff from the teenager. "Trust me, Misty's not thinking about marriage at all."
"Have you said 'I love you'?"
He paused, only one eyebrow shooting up now. "Uh, yeah, I guess."
"Then she's thought about it."
The idea of Misty and him getting married suddenly made him wish for the sensation of riding Charizard once more.
...but what's so crazy about it?
He shook his head quickly and looked at Delia wild-eyed. "Believe me; we're not thinking about getting married for a looooong time."
"Okay, but don't be surprised when you find out I'm right...just don't do it before you graduate college, alright?"
Had she lost her mind?
"Don't worry, Ma. I can guarantee you there won't be a wedding before we leave college." He rolled his eyes as his mom snickered again. "Come on, Pikachu, we gotta fly!"
"Pika!" The small mouse jumped back onto his extended arm.
Delia got up and walked him to the door, giving him a strong hug before he headed outside. "I'd go out there, but you know how Mrs. Dutcher is always looking out her window. I don't want her to see me in my p.j.'s."
Ash laughed. Releasing Charizard once more, he got on board and gave his mom one final farewell wave before being propelled high in the sky.
Looking down, he realized the nerves from the talk about Misty were still greater than anything this flight could produce. Gratefully, he patted the top of Charizard's head and used the Pokénav to point the trio in the right direction.
-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-
"He left without saying goodbye?" To Delia's surprise, the young girl sounded more disappointed than angry. As if she were let down by his decision.
"He just didn't want to wake you, dear," she deceptively assured. "He didn't think you'd be happy with him for that, after all."
"But this was his first time to fly Charizard after the accident. I was wanting to wish him good luck."
Brock put a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "He has a lot on his mind right now. He'll probably apologize when he gets back."
She shrugged. "I'm not looking for an apology...I just hope he's okay."
"He will be," Brock stated in an upbeat tone. "He's Ash Ketchum, after all; the luckiest guy alive."
"That's true." Misty smiled at his comments. "He has me as a girlfriend, after all."
Brock smirked. "Actually, I was talking about his battles, but yeah, I guess that works too."
"Now, will you two be okay without me this morning?" Delia asked, slipping into her shoes at the front door. "I really could make you breakfast really quick."
"No, we don't want you to be late for your psycho client," Misty half-joked. "She may have actually brought her Mankey today."
Delia laughed. "Oh, that's just pre-wedding jitters. When you've been in the flower business as long as me, you learn how to take care of those nerves."
Misty looked at Brock. "If I ever do that when I'm getting married, feel free to slap me, okay?"
"Misty, I wouldn't slap you on your best day...much less when your going crazy from your wedding. You'd probably use a real mallet on me!"
Misty and Delia laughed. "I guess I can't blame you, then."
"I should be back by supper time, okay guys? Call if you need anything, and feel free to cook anything you want with what's in the fridge and pantry for breakfast."
"We got it, Ms. Ketchum," Brock assured with a thumbs-up. "Now get to the store before we're in trouble."
With another laugh, she stepped out the door and the rumble of a motor was heard moments later.
"Now that she's gone," Brock turned to Misty, "what do you want for breakfast?"
"Oh, Brock, you're always cooking when we get together! Let me make us something, alright?"
Yikes!
Mustering every ounce of strength available, he sequestered the immediate thought that came to mind, and instead went with the back-up.
"Uh, it's fine Misty! I need to practice my cooking skills, actually. I'm a little rusty since I order out pretty much every night in my apartment."
She squinted at him and grabbed her hips. "You don't think I can cook either, do you?"
"Huh? Why, um, why would you even ask that?"
"Ash did the same thing a few months ago when I offered to make soup! No one around here thinks I can cook just 'cause I screwed up a few times when we were kids. Ash used a Pikachu against your Onix, but did we just not let him battle ever again? No! We kept letting him try! If he can make mistakes as a kid, why couldn't I?"
"Um...well, you've clearly thought this through."
She huffed and folded her arms. "Yeah, it's been bugging me a lot."
"For the last three months?"
"Yeah, I don't forget these kinds of things."
Taking a deep breath, Brock said the words he knew he would regret mere minutes later. "Okay, then. You can go ahead and cook breakfast."
Instantly perking up, Misty's eyes lit. "Awesome! How many eggs in your omelet?"
"How about cereal?"
She folded her arms again. "Do I need to get the mallet?"
"Um, no, no! Uh, how about three?"
Does she even know to crack them before putting them in the bowl? The thought instantly sent his stomach into convulsions.
"Sounds good, Brock-o!" She seemed really excited at the prospect of proving everyone's fears wrong, but Brock couldn't shake the feeling that this was a bad idea.
"Let me just change out of these real quick," she motioned to the running shorts and loose t-shirt that doubled for her as pajamas, "and then I'll make us a great meal! You'll see!"
She hurried up to the second floor, leaving Brock alone with his thoughts and fears at the base of the stairs.
-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-
The trio had been flying for a few hours, and were almost halfway there as Ash declared time for a break. Though Charizard groaned at the request, his trainer knew that he needed at least a little time off before continuing.
"Just land on that pier over there, okay?"
Giving a small nod, the orange dragon slowly brought his master down to the sea, landing on an independent wooden fixture. The Pokénav indicated they weren't too far south of Celadon, and Ash knew he didn't want to land in the middle of one of Kanto's biggest cities on Charizard.
Looking around, he was unsurprised to find nothing within miles of their location. Land was still too far for visibility, and other swimmers were apparently deterred by the distance.
Deciding to wait here a little while for both his and Charizard's sake, he let Pikachu jump off his shoulder as he took off his shoes and rolled up his jeans. Allowing his feet to barely dangle in the water, he looked up at the morning sun.
"Do you guys enjoy battling?"
Charizard had just settled in for a quick nap, and Pikachu appeared to be looking for a spot on the wooden area to relieve himself, but the inquiry surprisingly caught both of their attentions immediately.
"Pikachu!" The mouse Pokémon nodded ecstatically.
Giving a roar so loud, Ash feared those back in Pallet might hear it, Charizard also voiced his approval.
He narrowed his eyes, as he laid backward against the planks and allowed the flow of the current to try and lead his legs away from the mini-dock. "But why do you guys like it? There's so much pain involved. It's easy - or, it was - for me to like it, but how do you go into each one knowing you're probably going to get hurt?"
Neither seemed to fully grasp the meaning of the inquiry, but Charizard answered by shooting a powerful burst of flame high into the sky, as Pikachu shot off a quick Thunderbolt in the same direction.
Ash smiled. "I guess you like being strong, huh?"
Pikachu jumped onto the former champion's chest, causing him to slightly lose his breath with an "oomph!". Licking his cheek, the yellow Pokémon ran off again in search for a place of some privacy.
"And for me too...right."
He swallowed and took in the cool sea breeze. Closing his eyes, he wondered if he was just dreaming all that had happened over the last few weeks. This was so unlike him; preparing to give up on the one thing he'd loved for so long.
It had been his passion, hadn't it?
He lifted his head a little to take a look at the duo behind him. Pikachu had nestled in near Charizard, apparently deciding to catch in on the nap before it was time to go again.
Ash grimaced.
How could he let them go out and risk getting hurt? They said they wanted to battle, but the implications of his confrontation with Giovanni proved that, being this high in the Pokémon League, there was more to the organization he'd grown to idolize as a child and teen: there was true danger.
It seemed simple back then. Go get badges and go to the League.
Now there were careers, medical benefits, criminal syndicates, League presidents, and a slew of other problems that seemed to lunge at him the second he crossed that threshold between trainer and League Champion. No one had prepared him for what waited beyond.
"I'm thinking about quitting training, you guys."
He held his breath, but there was no reply. Only the sound of Charizard's snoring met his ears. He slowly exhaled. That was harder than he'd thought it would be. It was the right decision, he was almost certain, but this was going to be difficult news to break; especially to seasoned veterans like the pair behind him. They'd been there since the beginning and, though they weren't always the most loyal at the start, they'd tried their hardest to get him to where he was now.
Though he hated to admit it, Misty and Brock may have had a point; perhaps he hadn't fully thought through his decision. He didn't want to battle anymore, but what about the hundreds of Pokémon he now commanded? The ones he supposedly considered family? He'd barely considered their feelings throughout this process, and now that he did, he didn't know how they would take having their entire livelihood suddenly ripped from their identities.
Pokémon are special. He remembered learning from Oak long ago - before he'd even started his journey - that training and battling are especially helpful because they help develop strong bonds between humans and the creatures. Though they could have easily destroyed the human race up to a few hundred years ago, they never did because the two races shared a common bond; the bond between a trainer and Pokémon that can only be realized through fighting.
Centuries before, this was accomplished by having Pokémon serve alongside humans in wars, but now it was carried out through the League.
The reason he held the respect of so many Pokémon was because he'd fought alongside them in the past, and slowly gained their trust. It was through that fighting that they developed respect, and eventually, love and admiration for their trainer.
And now I have to end that.
He held no doubt that they would still love him. After all they had been through together, he was certain of that. But what about their respect? Would they respect a person who, the entire time they knew him, had taught them one skill and one skill only?
The skill of combat.
He'd trained with many of them; personally running alongside or taking their attacks in full force at some time or another as he seasoned them and prepared each for a League debut. He'd built their lives around one goal.
And now here he was, about to take away the one purpose he'd given them.
He bit his lip. This was a little more rife with problems than he'd first anticipated. He couldn't just do that. What was love without respect?
Clenching his fist, he banged the hard wood beneath his back. I can't go back to battling, though! It'll put everyone in too much trouble.
He mulled through his options; there weren't too many of them.
He could go back to training, but he'd already disavowed that. Even if everyone said they were okay with the risks associated with him in the League, it didn't make him anymore comfortable. And even if Team Rocket did still want his head, he certainly didn't need to be on television every night in battles reminding them of who took out their beloved leader.
He could just break his entire team's heart...but he knew he couldn't do that either.
And this really left him with only one true option: giving them away.
If he couldn't use them anymore, but they still wanted to battle, then this was his only choice to satisfy both himself and them. It wouldn't be hard for guys like Charizard and Squirtle, of course. They already had lives outside of his team, so they'd just know not to expect any calls from him for assistance in the future.
It would be harder for the virtual hundreds of others he'd trained, though. He'd need to find a home for each Pokémon where their talents would still be appreciated and utilized to their full potential.
He'd caught many new Pokémon over the course of the last year and a half which he hadn't trained too much, so they wouldn't need to go anywhere too specific. They could probably be given to starting trainers as a gift in most cases and gain experience along with their new masters.
No. Who he was really concerned for were those Pokémon who'd developed truly strong bonds with him personally. Those were the Pokémon who'd helped him win League and gym battles and had traveled extensively with him in the past.
Donphan, Staraptor, Snorlax, Meganium, and the rest. Some would surely decide against going to new trainers; they'd probably decide that staying with their current master was preferable even without training than moving on to someone completely new. However, he knew many more would ultimately want to battle again and be forced to make the leap.
It would be his job to make that leap as easy as it could be for them.
Taking another deep breath, he sat up.
There would be more time to think about this stuff later. For now, he had about another three hours of flying to go before he reached Cerulean.
"Rise and shine, Charizard!"
-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-
Brock snuck a peek around the corner.
She doesn't seem to be starting a fire, he noted with relief.
Misty forbade him from going into the kitchen at all after she came down the stairs "real quick" - actually an hour later - and worried that he would try to secretly help her or spy.
It had taken her almost a full half hour to find all the ingredients, but the eggs seemed to finally be sizzling nicely; and though he worried he may be letting his hunger get the best of his common sense he couldn't help but feel optimistic that perhaps the redhead had finally learned something about cooking during their time apart years earlier.
Calm down, Brock-o, he warned, removing himself from the hiding spot. Remember what happened last time you ate her cooking.
He shuddered at the thought.
"Hey, Brock!"
He almost jumped at the declaration. Had she seen him spying?
Heart almost pounding out of his chest, he turned the corner into the kitchen. "Uh, yeah Misty?"
"Could you set the table for me? We're almost ready over here."
Doing his best not to appear completely relieved by the innocuous request, he gave a quick nod and headed to the drawers for place mats and silverware. Taking out two sets of each, he placed everything in perfect order and turned back around to his friend.
"Everything's set over here. Ready when you are."
"Perfect," she quipped, turning around with a pan in her hand. "They're all done. I cooked our omelets at the same time so we could eat together."
Brock noted that the breakfast food didn't appear altogether that bad. It was a little brown around the edges, but all in all it appeared like a normal egg and cheese meal.
"Could you get the plates down for me too?"
"Sure." He reached up and pulled down two blue plates from the pantry, placing them side-by-side on the counter. "All set."
Slowly lifting the first pan, she slid the breakfast treat onto the nearest plate. She quickly followed suit with the second.
"You want ketchup?"
"With an omelet?"
"Why not? Everyone in my family loves ketchup with anything...except maybe chocolate and stuff like that." She stuck her tongue out and Brock laughed.
"Nah, I think I'm good, thanks. You want some juice?"
"I got it," she answered, already opening the fridge door. "I've gotta get the ketchup anyway."
Taking their plates and placing each down on a respective mat, he took the seat facing the door and window leading to a view of the beautiful fall day.
Misty joined him with two glasses and a pitcher and ketchup. "Here we are."
Looking down at his slightly-singed eggs, Brock gave a small prayer before picking up a knife. For a moment, he stared down the meal.
"Go ahead and give it a try, Brock. If you don't like it, I promise I won't get mad."
He gave a weak smile. "I don't think you can help it, honestly."
She laughed. "That might be, but I at least won't yell at you. I think you'll really like it, though."
"Alright." He knew he couldn't delay anymore, and, more importantly, he knew Misty was really trying to prove herself here. It would be inconsiderate to keep dodging the inevitable. "Looks good. Let's give it a bite."
Slicing through the cheese and egg with ease, he picked up the yellow and orange sliver with his fork. Deciding to get it over with, he hurriedly brought the utensil to his mouth and chomped down on his first bite.
Afraid he may regret rushing into the first taste, he slowly - and admittedly, worriedly - chewed his way through his first few flavor sensations.
Misty watched intently for a moment, waiting to get some reaction from the breeder.
What she got made her smile.
His eyebrows shot up, though he quickly lowered them.
"It's really good, Misty!" he congratulated through a full mouth. He didn't want to seem too surprised, but she could tell he was, anyway.
Though the omelet itself was fairly commonplace in terms of flavor, the relief from knowing he wasn't going to have to force himself through an entirely disgusting, and possibly undercooked, three egg omelet greatly added to its culinary worth in Brock's eyes. He happily took another portion from the slab - this time much larger - and chased it down with some juice.
Her eyes alight at the compliment, Misty thanked Brock. "Didn't I tell you I could cook, or what?"
He nodded. "I think Ash needs to get over the past. You clearly know what you're doing around a stove now."
"Exactly," she agreed with a grateful smile. "That's what I was telling you earlier. People change!"
"I guess you were right about that...well, at least we know that their skills change, anyway. How'd you learn about omelets anyway?"
"When I was back at the gym, I had to cook for myself a lot since no one else knew how to. I only have a few things I can actually cook, but I do 'em pretty well."
"Well then I guess I owe you an apology for before," he relented after taking another bite. "I shouldn't have been so scared!"
She chuckled. "If you can convince Ash to try my cooking next, then I'll go ahead and call it even."
"I dunno, Misty. He's almost as stubborn as you are sometimes."
Taking a bite herself, she shook her head. "I'm never stubborn...it's just that I'm never wrong, either."
-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-
Ash was grateful beyond words when Charizard finally made touchdown in one of Cerulean's back alleys. Flying with the orange dragon had many benefits, but the largest drawbacks that he'd failed to assume were the sheer boredom of flying for over six hours with no one to talk to, and the inability to get up and stretch at all mid-flight.
Charizard was panting a little, but Ash could tell he was doing his best to maintain composure in front of his master and friend.
"You did great out there, Charizard. I'm gonna take you to the Pokémon Center to rest for a little while after me and Pikachu take care of business. Return."
Zapping the fire type back into his capsule, Ash hitched the ball to his belt and stepped out of the alleyway. As per his plan, no one seemed to notice him in the midst of busy noon foot traffic, and he quickly pulled off his cap and put on a pair of black sunshades to remain even less recognizable.
"Pikachu, walk beside me, okay?"
"Pika."
The yellow rodent hopped off Ash's shoulder; staying within a few feet of his best friend at all times, but staying out of the view of most passerby.
Finding the hospital, Ash quickly strode in and took the familiar route he and Misty had followed just a few days earlier to Lance's room. Reaching the door, he took a moment to catch his breath and take off the glasses.
Looking down to Pikachu, he gave the small Pokémon a thumbs-up. "It's time to find out the truth, buddy. Let's go."
With that, he pushed the door wide open.
Looking around, he was unsurprised to find the room full of people; unlike last time. Whitney stood by Lance's bedside, holding his hand. Steven and Cynthia were both sitting opposite the bed, seemingly waiting for the red-haired former champion to awaken once more, and Chris stood opposite of Whitney, looking over his G-Men companion. Moving in a little, Ash could see that Lance himself still appeared to be sleeping to the untrained eye. His hair had already begun to grow back a little, and he almost seemed as if he'd just received a buzz cut from the army.
All eyes instantly locked on the dark-haired trainer the moment he stepped through the door; though it apparently took a second for his sudden appearance to sink in.
"Ash?" Cynthia asked, standing suddenly. "What are you doing here?"
Steven, Chris, and Whitney all gave him looks that proposed the same question.
He was a little taken aback by the stunned appearance on all their faces. It wasn't like he'd died and come back from the grave; though one would guess he had from the expressions adorning their features.
"I don't think you guys need to look so shocked," he mentioned sheepishly. The determination he had walking in was more than a little watered-down by the strange encounter.
Cynthia shook her head. "Sorry. I just don't think any of us were expecting you to end your vacation so soon after it started."
He smiled. "That actually hasn't ended yet, but I have some questions that I need answered."
"Really?" Steven gave him a curious glance. "They must've been important if you came all the way here to ask them instead of just calling."
He nodded. "Yeah, I think I need to talk with you all at once to get the story straight...but first, how's he doing?" He gestured towards their fallen comrade.
Whitney spoke up now. "He's doing better. He was actually awake for a few minutes a couple of hours ago, and they've taken him off full life support."
"That's great news," Ash exclaimed; fully relieved. "It's good to see you again, by the way."
"Thanks...I just wish we coulda met under happier circumstances." She gave him a sad smile, and he noted the dried tears running down her pretty face.
"Me too, but I think finding out how well he's doing is at least kinda happy, right?"
"That's true."
"So what did you have to ask us about, Ash?" Steven asked, moving back to the subject at hand. He seemed almost anxious.
"Hey Whitney, do you feel like going and getting something to eat with me in the cafeteria?" Chris asked from across the bed.
Looking between Ash and the former champions, Whitney gave a quick nod. Though she was normally so ditzy and upbeat, Ash noted how quiet she remained as she and Chris stepped out the doorway.
"He seems to know what you wanna discuss already," Cynthia noted with curiosity.
He'd gone over a thousand times in the air how he was going to approach the question. Ultimately, though, any preemptive planning was thrown to the side as curiosity got the better of him.
"I need to know why you never told me you knew my dad back when he was a G-Men member. Why you never told me he even was a G-Men member."
Steven's eyes went wide as did Cynthia's.
"Wait, what?"
"What he said."
"Your dad was a member of the G-Men?" Steven stood up at the news.
Ash rolled his eyes. "Quit pretending like you don't know. My mom told me all about it yesterday...you know, about Jay Ketchum?"
Steven continued to shake his head. "He definitely never worked under my sector."
Cynthia followed suit. "I never had a Ketchum work for me. I would've recognized the name instantly when we first met if I had."
"Are you guys really telling the truth?" Ash squinted and looked back and forth between the two agents. "Your positive this isn't some kind of trick?"
"Ash, we've all risked our lives to save yours...do you think we'd trick you after all we've been through together?"
Steven made a sound point, and Ash conceded. "But if you didn't know him, then who would've?"
"Well you're from Kanto, right?" Cynthia asked, putting a finger to her chin in thought.
"I lived here the first eleven years of my life, yeah."
"Then the person your dad worked for woulda had to have been him." Steven pointed to the sleeping form of their mutual friend. "He's been in charge of this sector for over twenty years."
So there was someone in the room who could answer his questions...he just wasn't conscious at the moment.
"Do you think he'll wake up anytime soon again?"
"That's kinda hard to predict. He woke up a few hours ago, but then went straight back out of it. He couldn't speak coherently..." Cynthia bit her lip at the recollection.
"The doctors said he could go a few hours or a few days before he comes to again," Steven continued. "And even when he does wake up, it's anyone's guess if he'll be functioning properly."
"I see..."
"I'm sorry you came all this way for that," Cynthia apologized, pushing a tear away. "How'd you get here, anyway?"
"Charizard." He held up the pokéball weakly.
He couldn't believe it. He'd flown all this way...and for nothing! He'd anticipated at least some kind of dramatic conclusion to this discussion. Some discovery that would leave him satisfied and ready to leave training forever.
But no, of course not.
Life hadn't been that easy in a long time, so why would he expect God to let up on him now? Another dead end felt like his life's general direction.
"You know, when you go see Red, he might be able to help you figure this out."
Ash looked to Steven in surprise. How did he know about Red and my parents?
"I mean, he is the official head of the G-Men, and I remember that he used to be pretty active several years ago before he became a recluse and all. He may have some of the answers you're looking for if you can get to him on that stupid mountain."
"Yeah, I guess you're right," Ash agreed reluctantly. Why did it feel like he was being pushed to Mount Silver against his will? As if fate simply wouldn't just let him give up?
"Are you planning on going there soon?" Cynthia asked, having regained her composure. "Or are you taking some more time off?"
More than "some" time off.
"Uh, yeah, I'm gonna wait a few more weeks before I make the climb."
"Well let us know when you decide to so we can give you any questions we think of. We've tried calling him, but he never answers his phone or messages."
Another nod. "Sure thing."
"You know, as long as you're here, why don't you stay overnight? Maybe you'll luck out and Lance'll wake up," Steven suggested with a shrug. "You could stay in the same hotel we're staying at."
Ash mulled over the decision for a moment.
"Not to mention you could take Lance's private jet from here back to Pallet in the morning and save yourself a little time and pain," Cynthia chimed in.
Resisting a strong smile, Ash eagerly agreed. "I'll go check-in right now."
-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-
"I think we're in trouble, Misty," Brock concluded, looking around the forest trail.
"You think so too? A hike through the woods seemed like such a good idea before we left..."
"I knew I shoulda brought my Pokénav, but I coulda sworn I knew the way outta here."
Misty tiredly plopped down on a stump. Brock took a seat on the leaves next to her. "At least the scenery's nice," she noted, downtrodden.
"Yeah," Brock scoffed. "We've got that going for us. Now if only we knew where we were."
"I don't suppose you have any Pokémon with you that could help us out of this little situation, do you?"
He shook his head. "I don't think Swampert will be of much use in this situation. I'm guessing you don't have anything that could help since you asked?"
"Nope...just Ash's Blastoise."
He sat up in surprise. "You mean Squirtle finally evolved?"
"Nope, he's still with the Squirtle Squad. Me and Ash caught this Wartortle at that island we visited years ago last year when we were going around Kanto."
"Oh, wow. I'd forgotten about that place!"
She chuckled. "Me too! I didn't know where we were going to get a new Squirtle from, and since his original didn't want to evolve, I thought we were stuck, but Ash remembered the island and where it was."
"He remembered where an island was out in the middle of the sea from six years ago?"
"I know...makes us seem a little pathetic, doesn't it? I mean, when Ash Ketchum navigates better than you, there's something wrong."
"You can say that again," Brock answered, cracking up.
"Is someone out there?" came a voice in the distance. "Hello?"
"Yeah?" replied Misty, standing up. "We're over here!"
Suddenly, a Scyther appeared, slashing away at the various bushes and brush between himself and the two gym leaders. Close behind him were two young men.
"Wow Rick, you were right. There are other people in these woods."
The two couldn't have been older than twelve, and Misty turned her head a little at the curious sight. "Hello. Who are you two?"
"I'm Jake," answered the first boy; a blond, tall, slightly pudgy young man.
"And I'm Rick," answered the second. He was about the same height, but appeared significantly more athletic, and his brown hair contrasted starkly with his friend's.
"We're trainers, but we thought we were the only ones who'd be hanging around Pallet's forests."
"You're almost right," Brock answered with a humorous grin. "We're only out here because we got lost during our hike."
Jake and Rick took a quick glance at each other before looking back to the duo. "You got lost in Pallet Woods?"
Misty and Brock blushed slightly. "Uh, yeah. We're not from around here, so it was a little tricky."
"You just need to go that direction to get back to town," Rick answered simply, pointing directly behind the pair. "We could help you get out if you need it. Some of the bushes are really thick, but it's much quicker than taking the paths, so Scyther here could force us through."
"Really?" Misty asked hopefully.
"Sure!"
"We are trainers, after all. Even if we're rookies, it's in the Pokémon League Trainer's manual that a trainer should help his fellow man whenever possible."
"Page seventeen, to be exact," Rick added.
Misty smirked. "So you just graduated from your training inductions, huh?"
"Uh, yeah." Rick answered sheepishly, apparently ashamed of the title "rookie".
"That's actually why we're out here." Jake elaborated. "We just started our journey a few days ago. Most people start by going through Route One, but Rick and I figured there are just as many Pokémon in these woods worth catching, and there's not nearly as much competition for them since everyone runs to Viridian as their first destination."
Brock gave the two a thumbs-up. "That's a pretty smart strategy. You two have obviously thought this through."
"Not to mention we get to stay home a few extra days before having to start camping," Rick continued; appearing proud once more as the older trainers seemed impressed by their forward-thinking attitudes. "It saves on resources."
"Scyther, start cutting away through there," Jake commanded his bug type.
"Scy!" The green creature jumped over Misty and Brock and began viciously slashing through the foliage that separated them from civilization.
It only took a few minutes - which were filled with candid conversation from the two new trainers about their latest exploits - when the four trainers and Pokémon saw the city not far beneath them.
"Wow, you were right about the direction," Brock mused. "You must really know these woods well."
"Every Pallet kid does," Jake answered. "This hill is where we board in the summer, and those woods are where we usually make our first Pokémon friends that aren't pets."
"Well, we really appreciate all you've done for us nevertheless," Brock said gratefully. "You've really proven to be great trainers."
"In fact," Misty suddenly chimed, "I think you've proven yourselves worthy of a badge."
Brock shot the young woman a quick glance before catching on. "Oh yeah, I guess they have, haven't they?"
The two boys looked at each other skeptically. "Wait, what are you talking about badges for?"
"I'm Misty Waterflower; Gym Leader of the Cerulean Gym!"
"And I'm Brock Harrison; Leader of the Pewter Gym!"
Simultaneously, both boys' jaws dropped.
"I...I..."
"You guys know Ash Ketchum!" Rick exclaimed.
Though a little perturbed at their initial response, Misty shrugged off the glaring insensitivity as being only identified as a "friend" to someone else, and nodded. "Yeah, and we're gym leaders ourselves."
"Oh, I'm sorry," Rick apologized quickly, covering his mouth. "I didn't mean to sound like I didn't care what you are."
"Yeah, he really didn't," Jake covered. "We're just kinda...surprised that people you see on magazines are hiking in Pallet Woods."
She shook her head. "It's alright. We get that a lot."
"So what were you saying about a gym badge?" Jake pressed, obviously hungry for details after hearing them mentioned.
"Oh, right. Well, you two were certainly helpful, and we both have a badge on us for identification," Brock began.
"So it only seems fair that we offer you each one for getting us through those woods before we starved to death," Misty concluded jokingly.
The two boys exchanged eager looks. However, Misty noted a small frown on Rick's lips; as if he were worried.
"Is something wrong?"
He turned back to the leader. "Oh! Uh, well, it's just weird. Why would we get badges if we didn't beat you guys in a battle? Isn't that the only way to win them?"
Brock laughed. "Not at all. Misty and I both gave Ash Ketchum his first two badges, and he didn't beat either of us technically to win them."
"That's right. A gym badge is earned from a leader when the leader believes that the trainer has done something to prove themselves worthy. Ash once saved a Gloom from the burning Celadon Gym and got the badge from Erika that way!"
The two boys exchanged another quick look.
"Can we talk about this privately for a sec?" Jake questioned, seeming to mirror the worry in his friend's tone a moment earlier. "We just need to think about this."
Taken aback slightly, Misty nodded. "That's fine."
Brock gave the young woman a curious look. "Why do you think they don't want the badges?"
"Dunno, but it's weird that two kids who haven't even left their hometown yet are so reluctant to get a huge head start like this."
Turning back around, Rick cleared his throat. "Uh, guys...well, we just decided that we really didn't earn those badges. We want them really bad, but we didn't save anyone from a burning building or anything. We just helped you guys out, like we promised we would."
"But we do want the badges," Jake reminded. "So, we were wondering if you would have a battle with us, and if we win we each could get a badge?"
Smiling at the new understanding, both Misty and Brock nodded.
"You guys sound like real trainers," Brock complimented.
"We only have one Pokémon each, so would you two be okay with a double battle?"
"Erm, well, Kanto Pokémon League rules prohibit double battles," Jake answered, sounding mildly intimidated at bringing it up.
"Yeah, page forty-five," Rick added once more.
Misty rolled her eyes. "I know you're new to being trainers and all, but you two need to learn that there's more to training than the official manual. If we were in a sanctioned gym, we couldn't have a double battle, but we're in the middle of a field."
Casting a sideways look, the two boys simultaneously shrugged. "I guess you're right. It really doesn't matter if we're not in an official gym."
"So do we wanna go downhill a little so the battle can take place on equal footing?"
"Sounds good to us!"
-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-
Pikachu stretched out across the middle of the full-size bed before collapsing in exhaustion. All of the flying and confrontation had left him completely wiped out.
Ash came out of the bathroom, steam rising to the ceiling as he opened the door, and smiled at his friend. "You're taking the bed for yourself tonight, Pikachu?"
"Pika," nodded the Pokémon tiredly. He was not giving up this comfortable spot without a fight.
"It's only six, though! Dont'cha wanna go out to eat with us this evening?"
"Pika-pi," he replied, shaking his head.
Ash chuckled. "I guess you've been through a lot today. I'll bring some leftovers home for when you are hungry, okay?"
"Pi."
Quickly throwing on his clothes, Ash rushed out the door to meet with Cynthia and the rest.
-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-
"Okay," Brock declared, as they reached the foot of the tall hill and took sides opposite each other. "So the battle will have no time limit, and each trainer can only use one Pokémon. The first side to run out of Pokémon first is the loser."
The other three nodded.
"Begin!"
With little choice, Misty called out Blastoise while Brock enlarged Swampert's pokéball. On the other side of the field, a Butterfree and Ditto suddenly took form.
Misty was impressed.
"You guys just started and you already have a Ditto?"
"It was a present from my dad," Jake explained. "Same with the Scyther."
"Wait, what's that Pokémon?" Rick asked, reaching behind him for a Kanto pokédex. Pointing it at Swampert, he listened intently, and was surprised when his red encyclopedia explained that the Hoenn creature could not be identified.
"Sorry, it's the only Pokémon I have," Brock apologized. "It's a Swampert. It's from Hoenn and it's a ground and water type."
"Wow, a Pokémon from the Hoenn region. That's cool!" Rick slapped his pokédex shut and stored it in his back pocket. "Thanks for the info!"
"No problem." The dark-haired leader gave the young trainer a nod before looking to Misty. "You ready to do this?"
"Uh-huh."
"Well then, let the battle begin!"
"Butterfree, hit Blastoise with a Sleep Powder attack!"
"Transform into Swampert!"
As the powder flew towards her boyfriend's Pokémon, Misty jumped into action. "Get into your shell, Blastoise!"
"Swampert, Mud Shot at Ditto!"
The Ditto had just completed its transformation as the attack made contact, forcing it into an immediate defensive position, and causing Jake to grit his teeth. It was always better to start the battle on offense than defense.
"Mud Shot back!" he commanded.
Lowering its arms, the Ditto returned the attack, light blue balls seamlessly meeting and colliding with Swampert's. Mud splashed to the ground as they collided.
Realizing that Jake didn't know the attacks of his water and ground type, Brock decided to remain conservative with his play calling for the time-being. He didn't want to give away all of his Swampert's abilities and have them used against him until it was absolutely necessary.
"Butterfree, get closer and keep up the Sleep Powder."
Misty bit her lip as she watched the butterfly Pokémon approach her own. Her timing had to be perfect.
There!
"Rapid Spin!"
The blue powder falling around and on her creature's shell was instantly unsettled as Blastoise began to spin from within the confines of it.
"Now get out and use Hydro Pump!"
With the powder effectively scattered, he jumped up and quickly brought out the water cannons lining his shoulder. "Stoise!"
With a grunt, the two cannons shot a short, dense dosage of water directly at the flying type. Because it was so close, Jake was left without any time to react. The bug Pokémon was drenched and sent hurdling to the ground.
Sputtering on the ground, Butterfree struggled to flap her wings.
"They're too wet! Use Whirlwind to dry them off!"
"Don't give him any time! Use your Rapid Spin again!" Misty pointed to the helpless bug type.
"Blastoise!" Taking a few heavy steps forward, Blastoise gave a surprisingly tall leap and began spinning within the brown shell once more. As he came down, he drew closer to Butterfree, who continued to flap incessantly.
"Ditto, Protect!"
"Pert!" declared the Pokémon, seemingly jumping out of nowhere and blocking the heavy Pokémon with a psychic green shield.
"Swampert, take out the Butterfree behind him with a Water Gun!"
Running past the Ditto, who was now preoccupied with Misty's Pokémon as he returned to the ground and emerged from his shell, Swampert took aim at the purple creature.
"Free!" Suddenly, Butterfree's wings began to move faster as the residue from the last water attack dissipated. Following their increased acceleration came a sudden gust of wind as the Whirlwind attack blasted across the field and shot back Brock's Pokémon.
"Get up quick!" he ordered as the bug took to the air once more; now focusing on his fighting companion.
Forced into several somersaults, Swampert couldn't respond to the command quickly enough as Butterfree descended.
"Mega Drain!"
It's small front teeth glowing red, Butterfree latched herself upon the water type's head and began draining his energy immediately.
"Shake it off!" Brock ordered.
Beating at the Butterfree with his arms, Swampert rolled around trying to loosen the bug and flying type's grip on his cranium. Unfortunately, it seemed the Pokémon was simply too determined to win the battle, and she slowly regained any lost energy from the last few moments as all power was sapped from Brock's friend.
Misty saw what was going on, but couldn't intervene as Ditto continued to pummel Blastoise with Mud Shots.
"Finish him with another Whirlwind!"
"Freeee!" screeched the Pokémon, detaching herself and again flapping her wings as fast as she could manage. Too tired to dodge the attack, Swampert took it head on and was sent flying backwards once more.
"Swampert, return!"
Brock looked to Misty. "Sorry. Looks like it's up to you and Blastoise now."
Misty nodded. "I got it."
"Blastoise get back in your shell!"
The water type ceased matching the Mud Shots with short Water Guns and instantly withdrew back into his shell.
"Butterfree go help Ditto!"
"Free!"
Flying over, the butterfly began pummeling the shell with Stun Spore while her partner kept up its barrage of ground attacks.
"Misty, you better act quick. One of those attacks is gonna hurt Blastoise soon!"
She gave him a sideways grin. "Don't worry about it, Brock. I'm a mermaid, remember? I know how to handle water types."
He gave a short laugh.
"Just don't let me lose a battle to a couple of rookie trainers."
"You won't...now! Skull Bash!"
Within the timespan of a blink of an eye, Blastoise's powerful back legs burst from within the shell and made contact with the dirt.
The two opposing Pokémon were attacking side-by-side, and the sudden lunge caught both by surprise as they were sent hurtling to either side of the blue turtle-like creature.
"Ditto!" Jake cried.
"Butterfree!" Rick followed.
Standing back up, and allowing his cannons to emerge once more, Blastoise turned around and looked from one opponent to the other, waiting for one to stand up.
However, after a moment it became clear that both opponents were completely dazed by the sudden impact. Despite their trainers' pleas to the contrary, neither moved an inch after landing on their backs.
Though it was obviously painful to do so, after another moment of fruitless coaxing, both trainers slowly returned the Pokémon to their respective capsules and walked across the field to shake hands with their opponents.
"You two did great," Brock congratulated.
"And to think, this was your first gym badge battle," Misty reminded. "You'll only get better from here!"
Rick nodded alongside his friend. "I guess our defenses just aren't that high yet."
"I can't believe Ditto was taken out after one hit," Jake muttered.
"That all comes with experience, which our Pokémon have plenty of at this point," Brock reminded. "And you still took down my Swampert with that Mega Drain, so you're almost there already!"
"Thanks," both answered.
"You know that those badges are still available if you want them," Misty reminded. "This loss doesn't change the fact that you still helped us out back there."
Rick looked to Jake before turning back. "No thanks. I think we'd both rather win our badges the normal way."
"Alright. Be sure to stop by Cerulean and Pewter Gyms, then," Brock mentioned with a smile. "My brother is the regular leader there, and her sisters are the leaders in Cerulean, so you won't have to worry about facing someone with our talents again."
Misty laughed and agreed. "If you did this well against me, none of my sisters will stand a chance against you two."
Grinning, the boys thanked the leaders once more.
-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-
Because Pallet Town wasn't that large, either in area or population, there weren't any major airports running through it. However, it did have a decent agricultural staple, and the farms in and around the area depended on crop dusters, which of course required runways and hangers.
It was on one of these runways that Lance's plane was allowed to land the next morning.
As predicted by the doctors, Lance hadn't reemerged from sleep throughout the night, and Ash left Cerulean with no more information than he'd arrived. In fact, if anything, he came back with more questions than he'd left with after realizing the impact of his decision to quit training.
With all of these thoughts on his mind, he stepped off the plane, thanked the pilot, and took off on Charizard to carry him the rest of the way home.
He absentmindedly returned the orange beast to his pokéball and just as absentmindedly made his way up the walk to his front door, where he regained attention as a blur of black suddenly came into view.
Looking up, he was surprised to see Gary Oak standing at the doorway, wearing khaki jeans and his normal polo.
"Hey Ash." He gave the trainer a sad smile. "I was about to knock on the door, but I guess I had good timing, huh?"
"Oh, uh, yeah," Ash responded, a little thrown by his rival's sudden presence.
"I heard about what went down with you and your girlfriend up there in Cerulean..."
He faded for a moment, and the two stood quietly together.
"...and I wanted to say I'm sorry about all that happened. To you and your Pokémon, I mean. I've been at the Institute the last few days, and didn't hear about any of this till Grampa told me yesterday."
Ash gave a weak nod and smile in return. "Thanks, Gary."
"I don't really know what it's like to lose a Pokémon like you did, though I've lost a couple 'cause of age and other stuff, but I know it can't be easy."
"That's right, it's not."
All was quiet once again. The two really weren't good with soft, sentimental moments, Ash realized as awkwardness began to set in.
"So...yeah, I just came by to say all that," Gary concluded, snapping Ash back to the moment. "It's terrible, but at least you and Misty made it out okay. It sounds like you did a good job out there...I can't imagine what I'd do if you hadn't."
"I appreciate you coming by, Gary."
The smile on the brunette's face grew. "No problem. On a lighter note, we still need to have our battle sometime. I understand if you wanna wait a while because of all that's happened, but it has to happen before you face Red, you know?"
Ash shook his head. "I don't think that'll be a problem, Gary."
He shot his eyebrow up in surprise. "Oh, really? Feeling a little overconfident, aren't we, Ashy-boy?"
"No, and don't call me that," Ash grumbled in return, much to Gary's delight. Anything to get away from that emotional conversation from a moment before!
"I wouldn't discount our battle yet! You may be a champion and all, but I've still got a few tricks up my sleeves!"
Ash rolled his eyes. "I doubt that, but even if it's true, that's not what I'm talking about."
The inquisitive look returned. "What are you talking about then?"
"Well," Ash began, scratching the back of his head, "I'm thinking about quitting training, actually."
"Pika?"
"What?
Author's Notes: I really did like this chapter, and I hope you did too. It had a little bit of lightheartedness with the battle between Brock/Misty and Rick/Jake, and it also had some seriousness with Ash's mental grappling of giving up training. Like I said, it only gets better from here on out, and I guarantee you'll be on the edge of your seat by the end of next chapter. Anyway, I also want to mention that I will be going back over the next couple of weeks and re-editing some of my chapters. I had to re-read a lot of my story to write the timeline for it, and I noticed some grammatical and eloquence errors I made in previous chapters that need to be fixed to make them flow better. I say this here because that may mean I'll need three weeks to get the next chapter out after all is said and done, so I just wanted to warn everyone now.
Anyway, thank you for reading, and PLEASE REVIEW if you want a timeline or haven't already! Later days!