Pokemon-Princess.8:
Hello fanfiction friends! This is a very important notice that needs to go out to all you fans of ANJ. Firstly, the reason why this failed to be updated was due to miscommunication; the dates that Texas told me I could not physically do, as I was in a field- creamfields to those English folk. To those who are unfamiliar, it was a 4 day festival in a field- in a tent. As much as it was so fun, it gave me NO OPPORTUNITY to update AT ALL (because the last time I checked, sheep do not generate neither electricity nor provide plug sockets). I really wanted to update the next day, however I knew that he only EVER updates on Sundays. Additionally, this festival had been booked for months and months, and it cost a small fortunate etcetc.
So, on behalf of myself and Texas Longhorn, we sincerely apologise for the week-delay in updating. He values and treasures your responses sosososososososososooooooooooooooooooooooooooo much! And HE HAS READ THEM! He finally got some internet after being stuck in the 1950s with only really letters to communicate with, and he was thrilled with the feed back. He appreciates the criticism as well it makes him become a better writer for his fans.
Additionally, the next update will now be the 28th September on the Sunday (of course) and I am 99.99999% sure I won't be dancing around a field on that day!This chapter will blow your minds. I was so hooked and I now will bully Tex to actually sell the rights of the character of Red. I have not touched this chapter, so it remains 100% authentic. I know you will enjoy this as much as I did :) This story is in its final arc, so your support means a heck of a lot to him! Ok here is past Texas to speak... And remember, please READ and REVIEW ! Take care! PP8*
Hey Everybody! It's me, TL! Well, not really me, but the me that wrote these author's notes a month ago! At this point I will have been in OCS for about five weeks now, and the worst of the worst stuff should be over. Everyone says the first three weeks are when they really try to break you physically and mentally, so at this point (assuming I made it) I should be doing pretty well. In fact, I probably even had a chance to peek at the reviews for last chapter! Thank all of you for your awesome patronage of this story! Less than two months till I'm done! Yay!
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
"When I grow up, I want to be a Pokémon Master," five year old Ash Ketchum hesitantly announced from the front of the classroom. His small hands trembled as they clinched the paper he'd spent most of the previous night perfecting. "I want to be the very best, like no one ever was."
"Yeah right!"
A snicker erupted amongst his peers, drawing a blush from the young boy.
"Gary Oak! You sit down and be quiet!" Mrs. Clare scolded in her sternest tone. "This is Ash's turn to present, and I think he would make an excellent Pokémon Master if that's what he wants to do."
She looked back to her presenting student. "Now continue, Ash."
Clearing his throat, eyes on the cusp of frustrated tears, he looked back to his paper for the next words. "It-it won't be easy. The…the Master is very, very strong and very, v-very tall, and his Pokémon are very, very big. I will need strong Pokémon if I want to win him - "
"You mean to say 'beat him,' dear."
He nodded. "Beat him. That is why I will be a Pokémon trainer when I turn ten. So when I get old, my Pokémon will be my best friends and have big muscles to beat up his. The end."
-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-
In all the world, at this moment, no place held as much power as that mountaintop.
The wind beat his eardrums without relent as snow and hail swirled all around. There, in the distance, the Master remained still with a pokéball gripped firmly in an outstretched grasp.
Why is he holding that?
Ash took a cautious step forward. Then another. Slowly, he closed the gap until his view was clear.
The Master's eyes were unknowable, covered by bangs of jet-black hair that whipped wildly in the strong air current. His mouth, too, was left a mystery. A thin black beard, probably maintained for the sole purpose of warmth in this bitter climate, made his expression even more impossible to decipher.
But for some uneasy reason, Ash sensed a happiness coming from him though they'd yet to exchange a single word. The pokéball remained in place before him, as if beckoning Ash to question its purpose.
Does he want a battle?
Ash shook his head to himself. There was no way he expected a battle from someone who had just made that climb! He probably couldn't believe Ash had made it this far in such short time and had simply been surprised.
Then why don't I ask him? With a start, Ash realized the two had been standing there for almost a minute without speaking. Something about the Master's presence seemed to almost negate the feeling of need for conversation.
"Do-are you the Pokémon Master?"
"…"
Maybe he didn't hear me?
Ash cleared his throat and tried again. "I said, are you Re-"
Without warning, the pokéball suddenly flew from his fingertips into the air. A burst of orange light emanated as a Charizard flew out and somersaulted through the heavy snowfall, breathing a sweltering flame that made Ash sweat despite their surroundings.
For a moment, the beast simply hung in the air, looking down at Ash and Pikachu with an expression as indecipherable as his master's. Despite his stillness, or perhaps because of it, Ash felt unnerved. Trying to avoid any detection of movement, his hand slowly crept towards his belt.
Charizard? Gengar? Donphan? There were no good options. Why isn't he saying anything? Why is he just standing there? Is he even going to attack?
He couldn't wait anymore. The silence was making him jumpier by the second. As his hand rested on a pokéball, he summoned the courage to speak.
"What are you doing?"
"…"
"Is…is this a battle?"
"…"
Ash was starting to see why Chris tried to punch him.
Doesn't he know how hard we've worked to get here? Doesn't he understand everything I've been through already?
His left fist began to shake in clenched rage as his right gripped the nearest red and white orb with all his strength.
He gave the looming Charizard a final glance upward.
Then, a Fire Blast.
The moment he looked up, a subtle, but sudden spark shone in the fire type's eyes as his flame intensified to double its size. All within the breadth of a second, his jaw unlocked and unleashed the flame upon Ash and Pikachu.
The attack hit their position less than two seconds after Ash looked up. Steam rose from where they stood as the blast hit the frozen ground. The Master barely turned in response. His Charizard simply continued to hover overhead, waiting to make sure that his target had been taken out.
After another moment, the Master moved to return his Pokémon to its pokéball. As he did, though, a powerful jet of water shot out of the fog and hit Charizard directly. The flying type roared in pain as he was flung into a backward spiral. Behind his bangs, the Master's eyebrow cocked slightly.
Regaining his composure, Charizard used his wings to blow back the residual steam. As the mist lifted, Ash, Pikachu, and Squirtle were found standing on a small circle of snow surrounded by scorched land.
"Good job, Squirtle!" There had been no time to dodge the attack. Having raised and grown so close to a Charizard of his own, he recognized the Pokémon's attack pose the moment he looked in his eyes. So instead, Ash tossed the pokéball he already had in his grip up. Thanks to their training prior to the mountain, the moment Squirtle was thrown, he unleashed a powerful Water Gun directly into the Fire Blast's center. He was far too weak to counter the attack completely, but he'd been able to clear enough space for the three of them.
Ash looked to the Master. "Are you crazy?! You could have killed us!"
"…"
Charizard answered for his master as he sped in a nosedive toward the trainer and his Pokémon.
"Water Gun!" he ordered, picking up Pikachu and running as fast as he could back to the entrance. Squirtle took several shots at the incoming fire type, but Charizard proved too fast and maneuverable as he dodged each jet.
"Squirtle!" With a gasp, Ash turned to see Charizard's body engulfed in flames and crashing straight into his Pokémon's. "A Flare Blitz?"
"Squirt!" the water type cried upon contact. A moment later, Charizard was back in the air and headed for Ash and Pikachu, leaving a completely unconscious water type in his wake.
They were almost back to the cave's entrance when Ash changed his mind. He saw Squirtle in the distance, lying still in the snow. "We can't leave him, and I can't return him from this distance with that stupid Charizard between us."
"Pika."
"Thunderbolt!"
Pikachu leapt from his shoulder and directly towards the Charizard while charging energy in his cheek pouches.
"Piiiii–"
He was cut off by a violet claw tearing into his chest and flinging him back into Ash's arms.
"Pikachu! Are you alright?!" The yellow Pokémon made no movement in response.
Holding his best friend, Ash looked up to see the Charizard only a few feet in front of him. With his Pokémon at such a weakened state, he knew there was no chance he could defeat the fire and flying type. Much less beat the rest of Red's team. If he wanted a battle, why did he make it up here where we'd be tired? This isn't fair!
Still, he couldn't leave Squirtle. And, though he hated the unfairness of the conditions, he knew he couldn't turn down a challenge from the Master no matter how one-sided it was.
As Charizard took a battle stance, Ash quickly released Donphan who, without command, shook the ground with another Earthquake.
The Charizard stumbled, providing an opportunity for Ash to rush by with Pikachu in tow. "Squirtle! I got you!" Once close enough to withdraw the water type from the ice and snow, he put the turtle back in his pokéball as Donphan kept Charizard busy.
Turning around, though, Ash saw Charizard coming straight towards him again. A battered and bruised Donphan was left knocked out behind him.
He did that in five seconds?!
Ash scrambled for another pokéball, this time not knowing who was inside and not caring.
As the orb hit the ground, it burst open in light and unleashed Gengar.
"Geng!" The ghost shot a Shadow Ball that Charizard avoided with ease.
"Fly up!"
Obeying the order, the ghost and poison type took to the sky, with Charizard slowly catching up.
"Hypnosis!"
Clapping his hands, Gengar shot sleep waves down at his opponent who flew straight through them without hesitation.
Ash grinned. Direct hit…oh, no.
Charizard continued climbing until he was at Gengar's level. Then he unleashed another Fire Blast, which sent Gengar spiraling downward off the side of the cliff.
"Gengar, return!" Ash panicked, running to the cliff's edge and almost falling off as well. He focused his sight through the heavy precipitation to get a clear view of his falling friend. Catching a glimpse, Ash pointed the pokéball as precisely as he could and shot the beam. Gengar fell out of sight once more and Ash held the pokéball and his breath as the beam continued to search.
A moment later, to his relief, the light began to retract carrying his KO'd Pokémon back with it. He had no time to celebrate, though, as he saw the Charizard coming in from his periphery.
"You wanna fight so bad? Try this!" With a shout, he unleashed Glalie, who immediately took to the sky as Gengar did before.
Glalie has the type disadvantage, but the weather's in our favor. The hail seems to be weakening him.
"Go down, Glalie! Hide in those clouds!"
At their current height, thick, gray snow clouds surrounded them in every direction, but looking down, Ash thought the ones below appeared darker and fuller. If Glalie can just hide until she has a good shot, Charizard's tail should give away his position.
"Don't attack until you see him!" he shouted as loudly as he could down the mountain's side. Charizard had followed after Ash's ice type, and only the glow of his tail's tip was faintly visible through the fat, puffy cloud cover.
For a moment, all was quiet atop the mountain once more. Ash stood at the cliff's edge nervously scanning the area for any sign of how the battle was progressing. The Master continued to stand on his stony stage, though he'd now turned his back to the mountain and was staring out over the edge of his plateau, arms crossed.
Ash gave him a brief glance. How can he act like nothing's going on? Is he insulting me? He grit his teeth in frustration, about to yell, when an Ice Beam raced upward past him. Soon after, Glalie followed with Charizard on her trail.
He smoked her out. He punched his fist into his palm as he watched the two spin around each other – almost appearing to dance in the falling snow.
"You can't take another hit! Dodge until you get a clean shot, then use Ice Beam!"
It was no use, though. The ice type struggled to avoid the incoming Fire Blasts, and finally a Dragon Claw made contact and struck her hard into the ground.
"Return!"
The Charizard slowly came back to Earth. With a snort of derision, he eyed Ash and spat a small flame at the snow near his feet.
"You think you're invincible; like you can't be touched." Ash didn't back down or away as the Pokémon breathed small flames with every exhalation. "You're proud. You think you can take me down. I know how you think…because I've raised a Charizard even stronger than you!"
With a thrust, Ash's final pokéball unleashed his final Pokémon. "I'm sorry to do this to you, buddy. I know you're tired and don't have much firepower left, but I have no choice."
Ash's Charizard turned to his opponent and, without hesitation, unleashed a massive Flamethrower.
Ash smiled as the Master's Pokémon was engulfed. "Now follow it up with a Dragon Claw!"
Racing forward, his Dragon Claw was met with the same attack by the Master's Charizard. "You're stronger than him! Show him your speed!"
Taking to the sky, the two dragons' claws clanged against one another repeatedly. The close combat resulted in several cries and yelps, but soon Ash saw his Charizard taking more damage than the opponent.
"Get away!"
Ash's fire type backed away as did his opponent. The two eyed one another in the air for a moment before racing forward; the opposing Charizard coming in for another Flare Blitz, while Ash's prepared another Dragon Claw.
With a guttural bellow, Ash's Pokémon was sent hurtling back to Earth.
"Charizard! No!" Dropping Pikachu into a thick snow pile, he ran, leaping just in time to break his friends fall with the cushion of his own body. The pain was unnerving as Charizard's body impacted his master's already-broken ribcage.
Ash felt his head grow light as he came close to blacking out for the second time in as many days.
No. Not now. I can do this!
His eyes shot open, just in time to see the opposing Charizard coming in for a second assault.
"Charizard, get up!"
With a start, the dragon rolled off his friend, and Ash rolled the opposite direction, wincing in pain at the sensation. The enemy landed between the two, taking a moment to seemingly consider whom he should scorch first.
"Seismic Toss!"
Ash's Charizard made a move to grapple his opponent, but was met with resistance. Instead, the opposing fire type quickly grabbed ahold of Charizard's neck and flipped him over and onto his back.
Before he could react, the Master's Charizard shot him with a Fire Blast directly in the face, causing Ash to wince for his friend.
"Charizard! No! Are you okay?!"
With a low growl, his Pokémon rolled onto his knees and gave a slight nod. The opposing Charizard was finally showing signs of slowing down, as Ash noted his heavier breathing while running past to see his own.
"Charizard, you've proven yourself out here. There's no need to fight anymore." The orange dragon shook his head violently at the words, almost knocking his master back. "No, Charizard, listen. I know you have your pride, but this is the Master we're facing. And this is only his first. At the very least, we'd have five more of his team to take down to win, and you're the last Pokémon I have."
The enemy Charizard continued catching his breath, and Ash took advantage of the few peaceful moments.
"I never like to admit this, but there's no way we can win. And I can't let you keep going. If it was up to you, you'd fight till you were dead…and I'm not losing anyone else."
The two shared a quiet moment. Neither blinked as both stared hard into the other's eyes – struggling to silently will the other into their desire.
The Charizard's wheezing behind them began to slow, and Ash knew he had little time left before he was on the rampage again. He started another plea, when his Pokémon suddenly and deliberately shook his head once more.
He's too stubborn to give up.
"Fine. You can fight a little more. But I'm not just your friend, Charizard." Ash grabbed the fire beast hard by the snout and pulled his face directly to his so they were eye-to-eye. "I'm also your master. I'm not gonna let you get permanently injured just because you're embarrassed to lose."
He could see the fierce rebellion alight within his friend's heart at the term, but he held the fire Pokémon's jaw closed firmly within his grasp and continued to stare him down without fear. "You may not like it, but I'm saying it for your own good. Understand?" Even he was impressed with the strength of his tone.
Another moment, and another rustle of the enemy behind, and to his surprise Charizard nodded through his muzzle.
"Good. Now…attack!"
With a roar, Charizard rolled onto his feet and was back to slashing at his foe with several Dragon Claw attacks. The opponent, who was initially caught off-guard by the new offensive, met each with a Slash. Their nails sounded as swords clashing with each strike, and the battle continued on the ground amidst the deep snow. All Ash could do for that moment was watch and cheer on his strongest Pokémon with all his strength.
Jumping back, the Master's Charizard unleashed another Fire Blast, which Ash's fought against with a Flamethrower. The two attacks collided and sparked until a small explosion erupted. Their opponent then opened his wings and several yellow stars shot out.
"Swift! Get out of there!"
Ash's friend took to the air once again, with the stars in hot pursuit. For a solid minute he flew at top speed; twisting, turning, stunting, spinning, rolling, and diving. No matter his evasive technique, however, the normal type attack followed him close behind. Exhausted, Charizard tried for a final dive toward the cliff when the attack caught up, shooting him into the snowy ground once more.
"Charizard!" Ash reached for his pokéball, no longer willing to wait for his Pokémon's pride to break. "Ret-"
It was too late, though. In the short time it took to reach for the pokéball, Charizard's opponent had sped to him, reared back his right claw, and unleashed a wicked Mega Punch as Ash's Pokémon had tried to unleash another attack. The raven-haired trainer's Charizard was thrown several dozen feet backward, and when Ash finally got to him through the thick snow, he saw his friend was totally unconscious – unable to react in any way to even the loudest cries.
Slowly, scared, Ash reached to the area just under Charizard's strong jaw with two fingers. He waited and prayed for a silent moment…then, a beat…and another…and another.
He exhaled. "You're alright. You're gonna be alright. Return for now, and I'll get you to a Center soon."
As his last Pokémon disappeared in a ray of light, Ash turned around to find the Master's Charizard waiting for him. Each was breathing hard as they stared the other down silently.
The snow gusted and swirled around them. The cape on his back blustered backward as the fire type's wings blew forward.
There was nothing to say here. No words to convince the Pokémon not to attack. Maybe Steven and Chris' hunch had been right - maybe Red really was working for Team Rocket now.
On this climb, Ash had done a lot of growing up. When he started at its base, he was still unsure of what he wanted, and even who he was. By the time he'd reached the summit, he had regained his passion for battling and was ready to reclaim his title as Sinnoh Champion and even try for the Master's position.
He'd learned to accept the evil of the world, and determined his heart to work to fix it rather than allow it to break his spirit and drive.
But none of that mattered now. None of the pithy thoughts or encouraging phrases he'd mustered could change his circumstance. The greatest revelations of his life were about to melt along with the snow at his feet if this Charizard so desired.
There's nothing else I can do…but I can at least go down fighting!
With a battle cry of his own, he suddenly sprang to his feet and began charging at the Charizard with a clenched fist – moving quickly despite his struggling lungs and legs in the snow.
He closed his eyes one final time and thought of Misty.
"Yah!" With as much strength as he could muster, he lunged forward to punch the Charizard's scaly abdomen…until he felt himself falling back into the snow instead. Blinking hard, he opened his eyes to find the fire Pokémon being returned to his pokéball. In the distance, he saw Red's pokéball's center glowing red and then disappearing.
"What?"
Was this another trick? Did Red want to torture him a little more before finishing the job?
…did he want to do the job himself?
Shaking his head, Ash decided there was only one way to know for sure. Picking himself up and dusting off the residual snow, he limped his way to the Master's stage. His teeth grit in pain as every breath became more difficult in the thinning air.
He came across Pikachu's snow pillow, and bent over to check on his friend. The yellow Pokémon was shivering, but alive. Thankful, he removed the only source of heat he had in the cape and wrapped it around his starter.
"You wait here until I finish talking with the Master."
Standing up, Ash looked forward and saw him again, still staring out over the cliff's edge. On a clearer day he could probably see almost to Blackthorne and Viridian City.
But not today. Ash wondered what had him so entranced there at his peak.
Despite the situation, he found himself smiling as he continued his approach. If he does work for Team Rocket, he's definitely not a talker like the rest of them. Giovanni couldn't wait to tell me all about his plans.
Not stopping at the steps, Ash made his way up the stairs until he was directly behind the Master himself. Whether he knew Ash was there or not, he didn't bother to acknowledge his presence. His arms remained folded and his gaze seemed intensely locked on the horizon.
Closing his eyes, Ash took a final moment to center himself. He didn't know if he was about to die, or discover some horrible secret about his hero, but he knew he couldn't stop now. He couldn't quit after coming so far.
"Red?"
As if coming out of a trance, the Master's head jerked at the sound of his name. Slowly, he turned to face Ash.
"Yes?"
Though he wasn't sure why, the broken silence of the Master almost stunned Ash beyond words. The man carried such an aura of strength in his reputation that even the simple question seemed underlined with a meaning too complex to grasp. In his deeply timbered voice, Ash sensed a wisdom responsible for his position as the greatest trainer in the entire world.
The teenager shook his head slightly, trying to regain composure and disillusion himself. He tried to convince himself that he was over-exaggerating. But he couldn't. This was his childhood – and until an hour ago, adult – hero. Receiving any notice from him, even if it came after almost being killed at the hands of his Charizard, was too exciting.
"I-I'm Ash. Ketchum. Ash Ketchum, from Pallet Town." He scolded himself for sounding so timid. "I got your note and wanted to meet with you."
For the first time, he got a look at Red's eyes as the Master brushed the thick bangs to the side. They were a deep brown, and the second his eyes locked onto Ash's, the latter felt immensely unprepared for this confrontation.
"You lost the battle."
"Huh?"
"…"
He blushed. "I-I didn't lose a real battle. There was no way for me to win. My Pokémon and I have been fighting our way up this mountain the last two days…they were too tired to keep going."
Red turned away again, now folding his hands behind his back.
"That doesn't matter."
"What?"
"…"
"I said, 'what?' You can't expect me to win against the Pokémon Master with a completely worn team. They weren't even made for battling you! I chose this team because they're some of my closest friends, and they made sense for helping me climb the mountain. If I'd known you wanted a battle, I could've prepared a better team just for that."
"Those are excuses."
He blushed even more furiously. "Not excuses! Explanations. That's the truth!"
Without warning, Red suddenly turned on his heel and shoved Ash in the chest, hard. The raven-haired trainer flew backward off the stony stage and on his back into the snow.
What the…?
"What was that for?!"
"You weren't ready."
"To be pushed down the steps by my former hero?! No! I wasn't!"
Red looked down at him.
"If you want this job, you must always be ready."
"My Pokémon are tired. They need medical attention after making this climb, and I do too!" He grabbed his side again at the thought of the growing bruise. "I didn't come all this way for a battle. I came for answers."
"This is life. Nothing you want comes without a battle."
"So you try to kill me? You know there are people who think you work for Team Rocket."
Red's fist instantly clenched, surprising Ash. He felt almost ashamed, like a child who inadvertently hurt a parent with their words.
"Who?"
"Uh, no one," he lied. The dark tone that now laced Red's question scared him for the sake of his friends. "I just mean, everyone is wondering where Giovanni is. The police, reporters, even the G-Men; no one knows what you did to him after you took him from that warehouse. And then you attack me after inviting me up here in the first place."
He stepped down to Ash's level, standing over the young trainer. "What do you want?"
"The answers you promised me."
"No. What do you want with your Pokémon?" His gaze hardened.
To beat you.
"To be the Pokémon Master."
"Did you think it would be easy?"
"You didn't mention a battle."
"If you need warning, then you can't handle this job."
"I didn't need warning to take on your mountain of super strong Pokémon!" Ash defended, his pride hurt. "No one could have prepared me for this climb, and I made it up here anyway. Is that not enough proof?"
"You still failed. You stumbled over the last hurdle."
"But-"
"Excuses and explanations are for the weak. The strong acknowledge and learn from failure so they do not make the same mistake twice."
Ash wanted to defend himself. His ego compelled further explanation for why he couldn't take down even one of the Master's Pokémon. But, in his heart, he knew Red was right. These explanations were just cover-ups so he didn't have to feel like the loser.
"…I'm sorry, Master Red."
"You haven't lost a battle in some time, have ya?" His tone was only a shade different, but lighter nonetheless.
The thought hadn't crossed Ash's mind. "Um…well, no, I guess not. It's felt like I've lost a lot lately, though. But I guess this was the first Pokémon battle I've lost since before I became Champion. Well, real battle, at least."
"Don't let your pride stand in the way of success."
"I won't."
Red held a gloved hand out for Ash to grab. He pulled his protégé out of the snow and walked him up the steps. At the top, the two stood side-by-side and looked out over the edge. All Ash could see for miles were billowing grey clouds in every direction, with snow and fog heavily blocking his view.
"So, you have questions."
"Yes. You won't hold anything back?"
"…"
"Right. So this was a test? The mountain? You attacking me?"
He nodded.
"What was I supposed to learn?"
"I needed to know how much you've learned. That's what tests are for."
"What did you learn about me, then?"
"You're determined. You're clever. I know you flew half the height of the mountain with your Charizard."
Ash laughed nervously. "Sorry. I didn't see anything in your invitation forbidding it, and I didn't want my team to make that entire climb if they didn't have to."
"Don't apologize. You were smart. By doing that you saved your team from unnecessary injury. Pokémon battles and life can both be won with a creative mind."
"Uh, thanks!" He blushed wildly. Was he really standing on Mount Silver with the fabled Pokémon Master, receiving compliments from him? "But I wasn't too determined, obviously. We lost to you without even taking that Charizard down."
The smallest hint of a smile appeared. "You thought you could?"
"Well, yeah. I still thought with all six of my Pokémon at least able to fight they could combine to do enough damage."
"I don't know if you could've done it if they were all healthy. I didn't give a single command after we started."
Ash smiled and gave him a look. "I guess we'll see soon enough. After I finish catching all the Pokémon in Sinnoh, our battle's next."
"So you're going to proceed."
The conversation's weight grew heavy again. "If I'm allowed, yes. How'd you know I wasn't sure?"
"I had a similar crossroads. Once."
"It wasn't an easy choice to make for me. I didn't really come to it until I was climbing this mountain, actually."
"Me neither. Mount Silver is a good place to think."
"Yeah, when it's quiet. The darkness kinda forces you to think."
"…"
"So even though I lost you think I'm determined?"
"You didn't give up. You didn't run away or beg me to stop. Only one other trainer has been invited up here to face me; a young boy from Johto. He reacted the same way."
"Did he win?"
Red nodded. "He switched his team using the Pokédex."
Ash involuntarily smacked his forehead. From the corner of his eye, he saw another small smile.
"You're headstrong. Sometimes that's good, like when you broke your Charizard's fall. Sometimes, though, you need to rely less on your gut and more on your mind."
For a moment, Ash fought the urge to argue. He could think of a million instances where quick thinking saved his life and his battles.
Then he remembered Red's advice.
"I will."
"You showed good strategy using Glalie's typing to her advantage in this climate. And having Gengar use Hypnosis would have been much more effective on most Pokémon that weren't as well trained as my Charizard."
Ash thought back to what he said moments earlier. "So do you think I can do it? Become Sinnoh Champion again, I mean?"
"You already claimed that title. I have no doubt you can do the job."
"But I'm talking about Goodshow. He stripped my friends, the other G-Men, of their titles and I gave up mine. I can't go back to the League until they're accepted back as well, but I'm not sure he'll ever change his mind on the subject. People are saying he's already looking for replacements."
"The Pokémon League, like any organization, has had its good times and bad. These are the bad times. The League is being overrun with know-it-all businessmen who are more interested in profit than its employees or the sport. Our League's constitution states that the trainers and businessmen share equal ownership of the League and its maintenance, but the Gym Leaders are too intimidated to stand up to the corporate cronies, and the Regional Champions have largely been too preoccupied with crime-fighting to give this struggle much thought. Because there have been no strong Pokémon trainers, the suits have taken all the power in the League."
"So you think Goodshow won't back down?"
"I didn't say that. What matters now is someone stand up to him."
"But we did…and he got rid of us."
"Someone higher than you."
"Higher up than the champions? But, that would be…"
"Me."
Ash's eyes grew wide. "You'd talk to Goodshow for us?"
To his surprise, the Master scoffed. "Talk? No. Because I've been up here so long, the corporate side has forgotten their place. Like I said, the constitution calls for equal power between us and them, but you can't forget who truly holds the authority in this organization – the people with the Pokémon. The suits can talk all day about their portfolios and profit margins, but none of that is possible without us. Without Pokémon and people strong enough to tame them, none of them would have a job."
"How does that help with Goodshow, though?"
"Give me five minutes with him after you leave. I'll give him a call, and I promise before your feet touch the ground at the base of this mountain, you, Lance, and Steven will all have your jobs back."
The confidence with which he made the guarantee almost made Ash want to jump for joy. "We really will? That quick?!"
"…"
"But how?"
"Like I said; we hold the power. They will be reminded of that."
It wasn't as specific as he would have liked, but Ash trusted Red. He didn't know why, but something in his slightly colloquial accent and hardened features simply spoke to a trustworthy nature.
"That's a relief! Thank you. I was worried I would never have the chance to pursue my dream again."
"It's admirable you quit with Steven and Lance. Most would have used it as an opportunity to consolidate their Champion status over all four regions."
Ash shook his head. "That wouldn't have been right, and there's nothing admirable about doing the right thing…at least, there shouldn't be."
The two stood silently once more, staring out into the darkening storm clouds.
"Can I ask you something else?"
"…"
"Why did you show up at Giovanni's hideout?"
"You and Misty were in danger."
"Wait, you know Misty?"
"…"
"Do you?"
"Yeah, I know her. I've been following you for quite a while."
"You've been keeping track of me too? Why?"
"Do you know the truth about your father?"
"That he was part of the G-Men?"
Red nodded.
"Yeah, my mom told me Lance recruited him after he lost in the Kanto League Championship. It was surprising at the time, but I guess it makes sense since he was such a strong trainer."
"I promised your mother I would take care of y'all after Jay passed."
"So you spied on me?"
"I have the resources to check on any registered trainer in the world. Keeping track was easy."
"My mom didn't know what you meant when you promised that. She said she thought you were talking about money."
"I mailed her checks for ten years after the incident, as well. I only stopped when she stopped cashing them."
"But why were you spying on me? How was that taking care of us?"
"It wasn't just on you. I have security cameras hidden throughout Pallet to ensure her safety."
Kinda creepy.
"It was necessary," Red continued, as if reading the teenager's thoughts. "I didn't put any in your house, but I lined the supermarket, the flower shop, and even her garden with them."
"But why?"
"You know how your dad died."
"Yes, because of the Rockets. My mom told me they took your wife on the same…oh, I'm sorry!" Before he could finish the sentence, he saw a grimaced expression cross the Master's face. His eyes closed tight for a moment, as if he were fighting a strong headache.
"It's fine." His expression returned to normal as he continued to stare out. "Just a bad memory."
"Well, yes, I know about what happened."
"Then you know why I needed to protect the two of you."
"But my dad was already taken out. Why would you worry they'd still come after us?"
"Team Rocket was the same then as they are now. There's no line they're unwilling to cross to reach their goals. I was worried they'd know how close Jay and I were, and that they might come after your family to get to me."
"You think they'd have done that?"
He shook his head. "Yes. They did it to me. You obviously know I had a wife…I'm guessing your mother told you."
"Yes."
"That was a secret exactly because I feared what Team Rocket would do when they learned I had someone important in my life. When I first started taking on the Rockets, I was some dirty-faced kid running around with his Pokémon trying to win badges. But, as I got older, and Sylvia took over her husband's empire, the entire organization got darker. They went from stealing rare Pokémon and reselling them, to bribing government officials, narcotics smuggling, and even assassination. Giovanni Sr. was a bad man, but nothing like what happened when Sylvia took the reins. I noticed the subtle, but obvious changes taking place, and realized that I couldn't continue my war on the Rockets and be a family man…so I hid my family."
"In Pallet?"
"No. Too obvious. I moved them to the other side of the country in a big city and took on another identity when I was with them."
"But Team Rocket figured it out?"
"Yes. The Pokémon League and the G-Men had been working around the clock to gather evidence for a trial. We were sure we had Sylvia this time. Our agents had penetrated the highest levels of the Rocket syndication, and we were almost ready. The last piece we needed was at a Rocket consulate in Viridian, so I called your father and asked him to wear his grunt uniform."
"He worked undercover a lot?"
"Sometimes. Enough to where I could trust him to pull some documents off the computers at that branch. It was dangerous, though. Sylvia had caught one of our agents the night before, and everyone was on high alert, so I had to send in someone who I knew could protect themselves. The mission was compromised, though. Two days in, I lost contact with him. That wasn't unusual, because we often had to drop lines in order to avoid detection. However, he was supposed to be done by that Friday and leave it at a drop point in Pewter. I waited until the next Tuesday, but he never showed up…"
"And?!" Ash urged.
"So I began to leave for Viridian that evening, when I finally got a call from his phone. I picked up to ask where he was, but it was Sylvia on the line. She told me who she was, and then she just held the phone to my wife and had her explain that she and my children were being held hostage…I'm sorry, Ash, but I didn't go to look for your father."
Ash swallowed hard as he felt himself surprised by tears forming in his eyes' corners. He wasn't mad at Red, but the new information threw him, and the exhaustion he felt after the last two days exacerbated his emotional state. He managed to hold it in, but barely.
"It's fine…if she had his phone, it doesn't sound like you could have done anything, anyway. And it was your family in danger."
"Jay was one of my best friends and closest allies. He was one of the only people who knew the truth about my wife and family, because I trusted him so completely."
Ash's eyes widened suddenly. "Wait, you don't think-"
"No." Red shook his head. "I'll admit for a time I worried about that myself. I couldn't believe for a second, though, that your dad gave up my secret."
"Then how did Sylvia know you had a family and where to find them?"
He gave a slight shrug. "I'm not positive, but later assessment of the data on their computers show they had known for months before. I can promise you, though, I had already decided your dad would never leak that information long before I was reassured with the evidence."
The teenager smiled. So his dad was a good man outside the stories his mom told, too.
"So I teleported as quickly as I could to the gym. When I got there, my kids had all been hidden in the cupboard by my wife, and Sylvia explained her motives as her son held a gun to my wife's head…"
As badly as Ash had wanted to cry moments earlier, that temptation was nothing if judged by the trembling fists and downcast eyes he now witnessed. He wanted to reach out; to pat him on the back, or even give the Master a hug. But he didn't. He couldn't. This was his lifetime hero, and the idea of trying to relieve a pain that had been held for so many years by so great a man intimidated him into respectful silence.
"I-I'm sorry."
Ash jolted from his somber quiet. "Don't be!"
"It's been fifteen years since that day, but I still can't think about it."
"I don't blame you. I can't imagine how I would have felt if something had happened to Misty." Red glanced up. "I mean, I thought about quitting training after two of my Pokémon were killed, and three more were crippled, but if she was taken?" He shuddered at the thought.
"You really care about her?"
Ash nodded. "She was part of the reason I was going to quit. I felt like you did about me and Ma. I thought she would be in danger as long as I stayed in this line of work, but she helped proved that I was wrong for thinking like that."
"She was right to do so. You're all part of this now, whether you wish for it or not."
"I know. It was stupid of me to think quitting the League would somehow make Team Rocket forget my part in all this."
"You wanted to get away. Anyone would after all you've been through. What's important is you learned you can't ignore your responsibilities."
"Climbing this mountain, I realized if I gave up, then things would never get better; for me or the League. Like you said, it needs strong trainers to stand up."
"…"
"So does that have something to do with why you stay up here all the time?" Red shot the young trainer an inquisitive look. "You said the League needs strong trainers, but you haven't come down in years. Is it because of what happened that night?"
"…yes. Sylvia took my wife that night, but she was smart. She knew if she wiped out my family, then I'd have nothing to lose, so she let my girls live." His frown deepened. "Perfectly calculated. My wife was murdered before my eyes, so I knew they were serious, but there was still too much on the line for me to pursue them any further. So I came here and stayed to train. I knew one day there would be an opening – a time for me to finally pay them back for the crimes they've committed, but until then I couldn't risk the temptation of seeing my girls or even appearing as if I was still working with the G-Men. This mountain was perfect. I've remained so isolated not even her son has bothered to visit since he took over."
"You never come down?"
"Once, a few years ago, there was a challenger for the Master title from Hoenn."
"Oh yeah! I saw that battle on TV."
"Other than that, I stay on this mountain unless I need to heal my Pokémon from training."
"The groundskeeper told me that Center was made especially for the Master."
"Groundskeeper?"
"Yeah. You know, the old man? With a Raichu?"
"The only people allowed near Mount Silver are Pokémon Masters and a nurse."
Ash looked over to Red. "Wait, then who's David?"
"You mean Master Rohan?"
"What!?"
"That's his first name: David. One of five names, actually."
"You mean the guy who mows the grass around here was the Pokémon Master before you?"
"Yes. He's a country boy that grew up in the farmland of Johto, so he wanted to stay here and maintain the natural environment around the mount after I took the title. He didn't mention that?"
"No! He just said he was the groundskeeper." Ash resisted the urge to smack himself on the forehead again. "I can't believe I sat there and talked to him like he was just a normal guy."
"Master Rohan's always been…humble. I didn't know who he was when we first met either, until he asked if I wanted to battle."
"Really? At least I'm not the only one. I've seen his old battles on TV, but he's bigger and older in real life than he looked back then."
"He gave you advice?"
"Yeah. He helped me deal with the loss of my team members."
"Rohan and I have different opinions on how Pokémon Masters should carry themselves, but he's one of the greatest trainers I've ever known. Whatever that advice was, I'd suggest you take it to heart."
"I will…I mean, I already had, because it was good, but now it seems even better!"
"…"
They stood in silence once more. Red seemed in no rush to continue, and the lull was appreciated by Ash as he settled his thoughts and started thinking of his next question.
"So you really never come down, then. Isn't that depressing?"
"I'm willing to do anything to protect my family. Aren't you?"
"Well, yeah! Of course! I'd stay here with you if it meant keeping Misty or my mom safe."
"…"
"In fact, I already did something I never thought I'd do to protect Misty."
"The gunshot?"
Ash turned fully to him in shock, as Red continued to stare into the dark horizon. "You knew about that?"
"Before I torched the place, I noticed Giovanni's leg."
"I had to do it."
"I know."
"But I still am scared thinking back to it. I can't believe I actually shot someone."
"You didn't kill him."
"No, but I would have. When I first told Misty about shooting him, I told her I showed mercy. But that wasn't the full truth. I never told her this, but when I shot that gun…I thought I was aiming at his chest."
"Really."
"I know it sounds bad, but that's how far I was willing to go for her. I was ready to kill someone. I still wish I had just so Venusaur could have lived, but I guess I was more nervous than I thought. When I pulled the trigger, I remember feeling my hands shake at the last second, and when I looked up I saw my aim had been off. I'm lucky it hit anything."
He looked down at his feet for a moment, recollecting the terrible memory. He grimaced at how he'd felt in that instant.
The sensation of a hand on his shoulder shook him from his reverie. "I'm not sure how you feel about that, but you should know that doing anything to protect the people you love isn't something to be ashamed of. It's something to have pride in."
"Oh! Um, thank you!" He didn't think he would ever get used to receiving compliments from his idol. "Well, it's not that I'm ashamed of myself. In fact, if I had to do it a million more times, I'd make the same decision without thinking. I just have been too worried to tell anyone else the truth about that moment. Even Misty."
"You were ashamed of what you thought others would say."
"Right."
"Maybe that was smart. But I understand how you feel…better than most. Men like us have a responsibility others never have to face. We carry these burdens so they don't have to. If you asked the average person on the street what they thought of our actions, they might act disgusted or try to take the moral high ground. The only reason they can do that, though, is because there are people out there like us, fending off the darkness so that they're never confronted by it themselves."
"Fending off the darkness. That's a good way to put it."
"…"
"So you're afraid people would disagree with your decision to stay on this mountain?"
"Maybe. I've stayed up here all these years, plotting justice for Giovanni, but I've often wondered if I couldn't somehow sneak back to my daughters for a visit."
"Why haven't you tried?"
"I hope the answer's obvious, given the threat I received from the Rockets at our last encounter."
"But if you've never come down because you were afraid they'd hurt your family, then why did you suddenly make the trip to save me? I mean, you went directly to Giovanni, when you've been too scared all these years."
"Like I said, I promised to take care of you and your mom. I take my promises seriously."
"Heh, I'm glad you do."
"…"
"So you said you saw Giovanni's injury before you torched the warehouse?"
He nodded.
"Then, what did you do to Giovanni? The police couldn't find him anywhere."
"…"
"Master Red?"
"You just told me you were worried what others would think if they knew you were willing to kill Giovanni to protect Misty."
Ash stood silent, stunned.
Red brushed the bangs from his eyes before shoving his hands into his jean pockets. He slowly leaned forward and looked over the cliff's edge into the swirling snow clouds below.
"It's a long fall from up here."
Instinctively, Ash took a small sidestep away from the Master. "You…you killed him?"
"Gravity did."
The wind suddenly roared between them, giving Ash a moment to process the news as he quietly shivered beneath the long sleeve t-shirt. "W-what happened?"
"I arrived at the warehouse. Some blond kid and Cynthia were already inside. I couldn't let them see me take him, so I teleported them outside and then set the building on fire before teleporting out with him."
"Teleporting? How did you do that?"
"My Espeon. She's been specially trained for long distance travel."
Very long distance. The average teleport of an Alakazam can only travel fifteen miles, and Espeon doesn't even learn Teleport. Ash suddenly realized the silliness of that thought. This wasn't any Espeon. It was the Pokémon Master's.
"When we got back here, he and I had a small discussion. He begged for his life like a coward, and I finally couldn't stand anymore. For years I stood right here and imagined ridding the world of his filthy soul…and right here is where I finally did it."
So Giovanni was dead. Ash certainly wasn't upset at that thought. In fact, it relieved him greatly. Team Rocket may come back, but it will take a while for them to get over losing their leader like this. But, despite that weight being lifted, he still felt uneasy at Red's decision.
After all, he had been willing to kill Giovanni, but that was in the heat of the moment. Giovanni was literally threatening Misty's life in that instant. There had been no time for second chances or police involvement.
Red, though, had brought him here, to the top of this isolated mountain. The two were completely alone, and Giovanni obviously was no threat at that point.
He could've turned him into the police or the G-Men.
On the other hand, Ash wondered, would he have been more merciful had Giovanni taken Misty like he had Red's wife?
Probably not.
"It's hard to understand, isn't it?"
The question brought Ash out of his head. "Um, yeah, a little. I mean, I know we were just talking about my time with the gun, but…"
"But you think mine was a different situation. Yours was life and death. Mine wasn't."
Is Red a psychic Pokémon, himself?
He continued. "That's the problem, though; mine was a matter of life and death. If I had allowed him to live, he would've only taken more lives in the future."
"The courts, though, and the police-"
"Were the same people who put you in a coma last year. I still receive news daily here, and I know exactly what happened. You trusted them to bring Giovanni to justice?"
Ash was forced into silence at that. Red made a legitimate point, and he couldn't argue he'd have done any differently. Still, it felt wrong condoning anyone's death without due process.
"You told me my dad was lost in a mission trying to get evidence against Sylvia. You were part of that mission too. So you must've believed in the law back then."
"That day is when my faith in the system died."
"Why, though? It's not like the police or courts failed you. The case didn't make it because Sylvia knew what was happening and caught you guys before you could turn it over."
"The only reason I sent your dad into that consulate was because we needed the insurance. We had mountains of evidence already stacked against the Rockets, but in five previous trials we'd had even more and each time those cases were lost or thrown out because someone – either in the jury, or the judge himself – had been bribed or threatened. The G-Men tried Giovanni on everything, from murder to tax evasion, but nothing stuck. If the system had done its job in the first place, your dad wouldn't have been in Viridian, and my wife would never have been found."
The two were facing each other now. In his mind, Ash grappled his own doubts. There was no reason to push Red any further on a course of action that couldn't be reversed. It was clear the Master held no remorse for his action, and if Ash searched his own heart, he realized he felt the same.
Maybe that's why I'm fighting this; because I feel bad for not feeling bad.
On the climb, he recognized that he'd become more calloused towards life in general after everything that had happened. Until this moment, though, he hadn't realized how much his experiences had changed him. A year ago, the idea of the Pokémon Master killing anyone would have sickened him, and yet he now found himself consenting to the thought.
"So you just threw him off?"
Red gave a slow nod.
"Did he…you know." Ash searched for the words he needed, trying to contain his curiosity within comprehensive sentences. "Did he say he regretted anything?"
"No."
"Did he say anything at all?"
"Only what I told you. He begged for his life. He offered money, power, and tried to threaten me one last time; all the things a man like him could offer in his final moments, I suppose."
Ash turned back to the horizon, looking over the cliff's edge himself this time. He stared intently into the abyss, as if waiting for Giovanni to suddenly appear amongst the clouds, climbing back up from his icy grave.
The two shared a long moment of silence; not of respect for Giovanni, but for those he took from their lives. Ash looked over and was surprised to see a single tear rolling down Red's cheek from somewhere behind his dark bangs.
Feeling his near-numb cheek, though, he realized that he, too, was crying.
PP8*:
The next one will be out next month! I adored this chapter, and I know that Texas will be waiting with baited breath to see what you think of his blood, sweat and tears into this epic chapter. Not only that, he is working super hard on his three month training in Rhode Island, so I know encouragement and positive energy will be so appreciated :) Take care, and remember to READ AND REVIEW!