Goddamn it! I gotta be honest, writing the goodbye scene in the last chapter almost made me cry. And if it fdid the same… Good, I'm glad! Anyway, we have some time before the Pokemon League, so enjoy.
Also, the concept of this chapter and the coming one is inspired by the fanfic by GhostKaiser23, so go and give them some love.
Pokemon is owned by Gamefreak and all Pokédex entries are from Bulbapedia.
"Butts"- Humans speaking
"Butts"- Pokemon speaking
'Butts'- thoughts
"Butts"-Pokedex entries/TV commentary
"Butts"- Telepathy/Aura speech
Red
The next day after Misty and Brock left to go home for a while, Ash had begun to train his Pokemon, making sure they were in top shape for the Pokemon League. Yami and Azula were currently working on their accuracy on moves like Snipe Shot and Shadow Ball, Aiden was with Green to work on his speed while Psi and Cobalt were engaging in a small sparring match. He sat on the porch with Blacky on his lap, where the scratched the Umbreon behind his ear as he looked on.
Ash: Remember Aiden, using Dragon Claw in the air relies on speed and using momentum! Shift your weight with the arm opposite of the one glowing for more power!
Aiden: Got it!
Ash: Cobalt, keep on your guard! You're our glass cannon, no offense!
Cobalt: No need to apologize, I get that!
Azula: Has anyone seen Kestrel?
Ash looked around for a bit, before spotting Kestrel looking towards the fence, where he then lightly Headbutted the post, staggering back before laughing and getting up to do it again.
Green: Hey, it kinda looks like Kestrel wants to train, too.
Aiden: Isn;t he a bit young for battles?
Psi: Actually, this would be around the age where young Pokemon start playing in order to practice their first moves.
Ash: It'd be really cool to have Kestrel participate. But I wouldn't want to without you guys' permission.
Cobalt and Azula looked at each other, Cobalt putting up a finger to give them a minute as the two of them side-barred to discuss it. As they spoke, Delia came out the back door, holding a pitcher of lemonade.
Delia: Working hard I see, Sea Breeze?
Ash: I have to, Mom. *takes glass* If I'm gonna be a Pokemon Master, I need to make my Pokemon the very best they can be. *doubtful* But…. I need to be honest. I have no idea what I'm doing. How am I supposed to train fully for the Pokemon League if I don't really know where to start?
Delia frowned as Ash sipped his lemonade. She wanted her son to be the best, but he obviously needed help. Who could…. Wait…. He hasn;t been home in years, there's no way he would…. But maybe… Just maybe….
Delia: Ash, if you really want some help….. I suggest you go see your father.
The boy suddenly jolted at the mention of his father, coughing harshly as he almost choked on the lemonade, causing Cobalt to immediately pat his back to help him. Though Ash;s Pokemon heard what Delia suggested, looking just as shocked as their trainer.
Ash: Dad?!... But….. I thought he disappeared.
Delia: He practically has. He's been training atop Mount Silver in Johto for years, promising to come back as a stronger trainer and a better man. I know you'll have a lot of questions for him, but that old Fighter will be so proud of you, I know it. And when you see him... Can you tell him his Evolver misses him?
Ash smiled, remembering the nicknames that his parents used for each other when he was younger.
Ash: I will, Mom. *to Pokemon* Everyone, get ready! We're taking a little field trip for a day or two.
—-
After Ash packed up enough supplies for the next 3 days and Blacky agreed to watch Kstrel while they were gone, Ash returned all of his Pokemon besides his two starters and Psi, who he asked to teleport them to the summit of the alleged mountain after showing Psi a picture in a geography booklet. And withi a flash of light and a nauseous geeling in Ash;s stomach, they reached Mt Silver; the most prominent mountain in all of Johto and last known location of Ash's father, near the base of the mountain was a Pokemon Center where Ash decided they could rest until they traversed the interior of the cave to get to the top.
Ash: I hope we can get there without too much trouble.
Green: No worries, Ash. We dealt with 8 gym leaders, plenty of other trainers, and Team Rocket. What's one mountain?
Ash: *slowly gains confidence* Yeah. Yeah, you're right...We've got this.
They two heard a moan coming from the couch, where they looked over to see Psi clutching their head and Cobalt supporting him.
Ash: Are you okay, Psi?
Psi: I…. I never teleported more than myself before… It is very draining.
Cobalt: Psi's just tapped out from teleporting us here. They'll be fine, but we should let them rest before we do something that extraneous again.
As if in reply, Aiden emerged and roared with a smile, then looked to them with a smirk.
Aiden: If you guys need easy transport, you're looking at him.
Cobalt: Wait...YOU want to fly us up there?
Aiden: Hey, I need to stretch my wings somehow, right? Plus, carrung you guys can work my core strength.
Considering this, Ash nodded as he returned Psi to their Pokeball before Aiden walked out of the Center and got onto his stomach, signalling the three to climb on.
Ash: Alright...Let's go find dad…
They got onto the Charizard's back, where he then rocketed them up the mountain. The air became heavy with cold clouds and damp snow… Green was shivering like mad and clinging to Ash as Cobalt sat behind him… Until they reached it...
The top of Mount Silver. It was snow covered, freezing; the wind was bitter with ice and hardened dust. The ground itself didn't feel like stone, more like ice and rough metal. The crunches of Ash's feet were heavy and loud, his bones began to chill from the wind and there in the brief distance stood a lone figure… Tall and proud, fighting against the cold with what appeared to be nothing but his determination and willpower…. But it also looked like the formation of the stone helped block out the wind and snow somewhat.
The figure's head tilted slightly... And a blur of purple suddenly flew through the air, through the snow, and tackled Ash to the ground. Ash groaned, looking up to see a purple feline Pokemon snarling down at him.
Green: An Espeon!
Aiden: *threatening* Hey, get off of him!
As Aiden snapped at the Espeon, it then backed away, allowing Ash to sit up and scan it.
Pokedex: Espeon, the Sun Pokemon and one of the evolved forms of Eevee. A Psychic type. When the sun hits the jewel on Espeon's forehead, it builds up psychic power. It holds the highest loyalty to an accomplished Trainer, and it is said Espeon obtained its premonition powers to protect them.
The Epseon was different than the picture on the Pokedex as it was larger with rougher fur, tufts of fur sticking up and patches of the missing. It didn't look badly kept, in fact its fur was shiny and very voluptuous, its fur was, in fact, just seemed almost stylised. Though as the Espeon sniffed Ash… It then leapt back over to its trainer.
Espeon: 'Who is this child?... Why does he have my Master's scent?'
Ash: *nervous* Um…
Cobalt, Green, and Aiden stood by their trainer, smiling encoragingly at him as Cobalt brought him into a shoulder hug to comfort him as he approached.
Ash: H-Hi… Dad?
?: …..Dad?
The figure asked, walking through the storm into Ash's vision to reveal his true form. The Pokemon gasped in shock as the man looked like an older Ash, but his hair was longer and rougher and he had an amount of stubble on his face. His body was hardened and defined under his clothes that seemed to only just fit him, he wore a mainly red shirt but with black sleeves, tattered deep blue jeans, red and black shoes and an old red and white hat that kept his hair from flying out like a Pidgeot's mane. And finally red eyes, the origin of his nickname, which Ash had told them was "Red".
Red: My son's not even three. I left to train last month.
Ash: Las….. Last MONTH?! It's been almost TEN YEARS!
Red: Ten… *shocked* Ten years?!
Ash: Well, it's been eight years, but yeah… My mother's name is Deliah Ketchu,... Err… Evolver! Evolver misses you!
Red: Delia? Evol... Green?...
Green: …How did he know who I was?
Cobalt: I think he means a different Green, dude.
Red: My Green? MY Delia Ketchum? Then that means you... My son? A... My Ash Gray? *walks forward* You... You've grown up so much...
Ash didn't know what to say... Only to gasp when his father hugged him
Red: I...I can't believe it… You've grown… It... It HAS been almost ten years. *chuckles* ...You took after me...Why did you come to Mt Silver?
Ash: I... Mom told me where you were while I was training…
Red: Training?... For what?
Through the storm and icy winds, Ash began to explain his story to Red, excluding his experience with Pikachu and how he could understand Pokemon. He wanted to make sure Red could be trusted first. Red smiled as Ash finished, putting his hands on his son's shoulders…
Red: So you're entering the Pokemon League… I'm so proud of you. Plus, I think I know some people who would be happy to see you again.
Ash: Some people? Who?
Ash asked this as the wind tilted his head and he caught his cap. Red smiled and threw some PokeBalls into the air, Pokémon emerging from the light. Aiden stared in awe as a Charizard roared, batting its wings powerfully. It was nearly twice the size of Aiden with a slightly chipped left wing and a scar over its left eye. A Blastoise also emerged, it's cannons emerging from its shell, which was littered in shallow cuts.
A Venasaur, the last evolution of Bulbasaur, emerged. It was the largest Venasaur Ash had ever seen outside the robotic one from the weird Pokémon Theme park he and his friends washed up on once. The Venasaur's petals and leaves were a bit ripped but besides that it seemed unhurt. A large plesiosaur gave a soft song, stretching its neck as it had few barely noticeable wounds.
The other Pokemon were a large Snorlax, a Poliwrath that was almost as tall as Red, and a Ditto. All of them looked normal enough as the Espeon came over to its companions. But the last one is what shocked Ash the most, same with his party…. It was a Pikachu, which was larger than the Leader Pikachu with a cut in its tail and longer shaggier fur as well as a few other cuts. This Pikachu just radiated power and wisdom, which Cobalt actually respected.
Ash: *amazed* Your...Pokemon...?
Red: Not JUST mine. *motions to Blastoise and Ditto* Turtley and Ditty here are your mothers. And Charizard was... He was little Gary's father's before he died.
The mighty dragon looked sadly, eliciting the Blastoise to place a hand on him in empathy.
Red: As for these goobers.. Saur, Lappy, Lax, Poli, Vee, Pika… This is little Ash and his team. He's all grown up.
The mentioned Venasaur, Lapris, Snorlax, Poliwrath, Espeon and Pikachu, as well as Ash's mother's apparent Pokémon, all gasped before they ran over and hugged Ash tightly, all of them expressing them missing him and saying how big he's gotten.
Ash: Gah! O-Okay, okay...I-I guess it's good to see you too. Nice meeting you."
As Ash took the affection from the Pokemon, he found himself remembering random moments. Riding on Saur's back, Vee watching over him as he fell asleep, Pika playing with him when his parents were out or busy, Turtley and Poli making it rain a bit during the summer so Ash could have a water fight and just resting on Lax's stomach.
He knew all of them... He'd just forgotten because it had been so long.
Ash: Oh crap...How...How long HAS it been?
Red: You said it... Eight years…. *sighs* I missed so much of your childhood.
Ash: I know but... Wait…
Green: …*snickers* Oh Arceus, Ash, your Dad's nicknames for these guys are AWFUL!
The collective Pokémon looked up at their trainer's son's Pokemon and questioned him. Ash repeated what Green said, trying to mask that he could understand him.
Red: What are you talking about? That they're bad nicknames?
Ash: Uh,,,, Yeah….
Red: I was ten and it became their names! I can't rename you, because you are you!
Ash: I….. I guess that's fair.
Red: *nods* So… Those three behind you. They're your's?
Ash: Mm-hmm. These three are a few of the 7 Pokemon I trained through my journey; Aiden, Green, and Cobalt.
Red: Green? Huh… That's going to cause some confusion.
The three gave their greetings to Red and the huge horde of Pokemon that Red sent out. Though as they continued their greetings, Aiden stopped as he spotted the Charizard.
Aiden: Wait…. Do I…. Know you?
Charizard: I doubt it. Unless, you're…. No,,,, You can;t be…..
Cobalt: Can;t be who?
The larger Charizard cme up, sniffing Aiden before he then gasped in shock. Just then, Charizard hugged Aiden gently, like a father, before patting his head
Red: Huh, looks like we're not the only family to be reunited.
Ash: What?
Red: Before I left...Blue's Charizard, who was Gary's father, had two eggs with another Charizard, a friend of mine's. One we gave to a trainer we met on our travels and one we sent to professor Oak's.
Ash: Wait. So, Aiden is your Charizard's son?!
Red: Looks like it.
As Aiden and Xharizard began to talk and connect for the first time, Red spotted the other Pokeballs on Ash's belt, curious of what kind of team he had.
Red: So... How about a battle, kiddo?
Ash: You mean it? Now?
Red: Yeah, show your old man how you got those badges.
Ash: ….Sure.
Ash backed up, looking over his PokeBalls as he thought of whom to send out. Nodding, he unhooked one of the balls and threw it.
Ash: Azula, I choose you!
The Inteleon landed on the ground, her hands rested on her hips as she looked forward at her opponent, who smiled in interest.
Red: Huh, never seen that one before. Okay, looks like a Water type, so let's make this interesting. Charizard, go.
His traded Pokémon roared as he flew forth while Red then turned silent, narrowing his eyes. He turned into 'battle mode'.
Ash: Alright Azula, Snipe Shot!
Azula nodded as she then shot water out of her fingertips and hit Red's Charizard… But nothing happened. The orange lizard scratched its chin before it roared and fired a massive torrent of flames that sent Azula flying.
Green: Azula!
Ash: *takes out Pokedex* WHAT WAS THAT?!
Pokedex: Blast Burn, a Fire type move. This move is considered one of the strongest fire type attacks, which are only able to be learnt by the fully evolved fire starter of every region. It is considered the Fire-type equivalent to Hyper Beam.
Ash: 'Hyper Beam... Recharge time! That's it!' Go, Azula! Use Liquidation!
Red: Catch it.
And doing just that, Red's Charizard caught the Inteleon's water-covered hands from hitting him He then roared, slamming Azula hard into the ground, Ash gasped seeing her unconscious
Ash: Az-Azula!
Red: One down, son. *returns Charizard* Charizard, return. Who's next?
Ash :...Green! You're up!
Red: Go, Lax.
Both Sceptile and Snorlax came onto the field, staring each other down as Ash called out while returning Azula.
Ash: Earthquake!
Green slammed his tail into the ground, shaking the ground in the area and causing Lax to stumble slightly, but take barely any damage.
Red: Blizzard.
Lax inhaled and exhaled onto Green, freezing him in place and dealing supereffective damage.
Red: Hyper Beam.
Green was bombarded by powerful attacks and was now KO. Ash was down two Pokémon for two...
Red: Next one, son. Come now.
Ash: Green, come back. *throws Pokeball* Yami! Your turn!
The Gengar floated above the ground after leaving his ball, chuckling as Lax was returned by Red.
Red: *throws Pokeball* Go, Lappy!
As the Lapras was sent out to take down Yami, Ash scanned the plesiosaur.
Pokedex: Lapras, the Transport Pokémon. A Water and Ice type. With its mild temperament, Lapras prefers to carry humans on its back, rather than engage in Pokémon battles.
Ash: Yami, use Phantom Force!
Yami then disappeared into the shadows, waiting for the right time to strike before..
Red: Psychic.
The Plesiosaur's eyes then glowed, grabbing Yami and plucking him from hishiding spot.
Yami: He- Hey, what?!
Red: Blizzard.
Ash: SHADOW BALL!
As both attacks collided, both Pokemon had sustained damage...But Yami sustained more as he was on the ground, still clinging on to his health.
Cobalt: That was a powerful Shadow Ball, but that Lapras seems like it felt nothing.
Vee: That would be because of Shell Armor.
Green: *pained* Shell Armor?
Vee: Lappy's ability is Shell Armor, which is known for preventing critical hits.
Red: Water Pulse.
With the command, Lappy unleashed a powerful blast of water at Yami, which knocked him out instantly as he was sucked back to his ball.
Ash: Yami, return!
Red: That's three, Ash… Are you sure you can continue?
He didn't want his father to look down on him, see him as a failure. Cobalt felt this as well as he placed a hand on his shoulder and flashed him a smile.
Ash: Alright… Cobalt, let's do this!
Red: Going with your starter?
Ash: Uh… Yeah. How do you know?
Red: Your bond.
The man then threw a PokeBall into the air, Poli appearing in front of him
Red: I'll use my starter then.
Ash: *deep breath* Alright! Let's do this, Dad!
Red: Alright, son. Poli, Double-Team!
The bulky Poliwrath made up to nine duplicates of itself, surrounding the Lucario.
Red: Now Ice Beam!
Ash: Deflect with Aura Sphere!
Cobalt fought back the Ice Beam with a arge Aura Sphere, which not onlydeflected, but reflecte the blast to the other Poli's until one was left.
Red: Water Gun, then Body Slam!
Poli then used Water Gun on the gorund propelling himself into the air, about ready to body slam into Cobalt.
Ash: Force Balm!
Cobalt growled, ready to slam his palm into Poli's incoming stomach... Only for Poli to catch it
Ash/Cobalt: What?!
Red: Seismic Toss, then Ice Beam!
Poli then landed and spun Cobalt at high speeds before releasing a blast of cold energy soon followed, racing towards the flying Kucario.
Ash: Cobalt! Steel Beam!
Cobalt fired a silver blast of energy, taking out the Ice Beam at the last second before rocketing at his opponent and slamming into Poli… But to no effect.
Red: Poli, one more Seismic Toss.
Poli then grabbed Cobalt, spun, then slammed him into the ground, the dust settling to reveal Cobalt unconious in the ground. Ash raced to catch his best friend and took Cobalt in his arms.
Red: Hmm… *smiles* Next Pokemon, son...We'll get them to the Centre at the base after the fight.
Ash: No... I give up.
Red sighed and nodded, respecting his son's wishes.
Red: Charizard, let's get them to the Centre.
The orange dragon roared gently in understanding, letting Ash and his Pokémon fly down along with his father to the Centre, Ash returning Aiden as they took off. At the center, Red was sitting with Ash, who was still upset at the difference of levels between his Pokémon and his father's… And what's worse, he felt like a failure in his eyes. He didn't even seem to be able to SCRATCH his father's Pokémon!
Red: Beating yourself up over a loss isn't healthy, Ash.
Ash: I... I just thought I'd gotten stronger is all.
Red: Well, you got an attack in...That's a start. And I can tell Cobalt and you share a really strong bond. But like you've said...I've been training for eight YEARS. My Pokémon are among the strongest in the world. And...I don't know who you have faced that would compete against that sort of level. You've faced MANY opponents Ash...Some MUCH stronger than you. But you've always picked yourself back up...I've been there.
Ash: ... *smiles* Thanks, Dad. Hey, why WERE you on top of Mount Silver anyway?
Red: WHY? Well...When you reach the top of one mountain...you climb another. Sometimes figuratively, sometimes literally. In my case both.
Ash: What?
Red: I became the best...I became champion...But when that was done...I...I needed a new goal. Something to strive for.
Ash: And that goal was?
Red: ...To be a father. To become better. When you were born… It was the best day of my life… But I knew other challenges would be coming. So that's why I left for Mount Silver. I wanted to become stronger. So you'd have a dad to be proud of.
Ash looked up to him and gazed in amazement. He was in shock and awe. Though Ash was about to speak, the Nurse Joy spoke up as she walked over with Ash's PokeBalls, along with Cobalt and Green.
Nurse Joy: Mr Ketchum, here you are.
Ash: Thank you.
Ash smiled before taking his Pokeballs and his two starters sat with him.
Cobalt: Dude, Ash's dad's the real deal. I thought OUR Dad was tough, but this guy… He could probably slap Arceus and make him apoogize for even being stronger than him.
Green: Yeah…. But his nicknames still suck hard, though.
Red: Well, at least my name isn;t based on my color.
Green: Oh, yeah? Well look who's- *surprised*... Talking.
All three of the younger ones looked at Red in shock, Vee and Pika snuggling up in his lap as he sat.
Green: Did… How did he….
Cobalt: Can…. Can you understand us, Sir?
Red: Clear as day.
Ash: Wait… You can understand Pokemon, too? How?
Red: Happened in an accident during a storm. Long story… Wait, "Too"?
Green: Yeah… Your son can actually understand Pokemon too, but his Mom doesn;t know. We'd rather not get into specifics.
Though Red was confused, he nodded in understanding, though he looked away in awkwardness.
Red: So… What do you want to do now, son?
Ash: ... I want you to train me.
Red: Train you?
Cobalt: At least to help us prepare for the Pokemon League. We gotta be in top condition if they're as tough as you.
Green: Please?
Red: …*sighs* Fine.
Ash: *gasps* Really?
Red: Yes. But not on the top of the mountain, I don't want another ten years to pass.
Ash nodded in agreement as he shuffled closer to his Dad… But that's when the Pokémon Centre's phone began to ring
Cobalt: Who could be calling here?
Nurse Joy: Hello, Mt Silver Pokémon Centre. Nurse Joy speaking.
Delia: Hello, this is Delia Ketchum. Are my son and husband there?
Ash/Red: Mum/Green?
Green: What?
Red: no, not you. My…. *sighs* This is so confusing.
Nurse Joy: Why yes, they're in the waiting area.
The two Ketchum men looked at each other nervously as as they approached the phone.
Ash: *nervous* 'Oh Arceus, she is going to embarrass me!'
Red: 'Fucking Giratina, she is going to kill me!'
It was too late now as the two now in front of the video phone
Delia: Oh thank you, Nurse Joy; can we have some privacy please?
Nurse Joy: Of course.
The nurse nodded and left to work on other aspects of the Centre, leaving the two men at the mercy of Delia, who's smile was simply a Mighteyena in Mareep's clothing.
Delia: Well, it seems that you two have gotten reacquainted.
Ash: Y... Yes, Mom.
Red: H...How are you Delia, dear?
Delia: Fine, fine...I'm glad to see the both of you are well… Just...One, teeny, tiny...Little concern...
Ash: And what's that, mom?
Green: Take cover!
Green tackles Cobalt to the ground as vee and Pika bunkered with them as Delia then began to… Let's say, berate Ash's father
Delia: RICHARD KETCHUM! WHERE THE HELL HAVE YOU BEEN?! I HAVE RAISED OUR SON FOR THE LAST NEAR TEN YEARS ALL BY MYSELF, YOU SELFISH BASTARD!
Red: *groans* G-Good to see you haven't changed Delia… *grins* My little thief.
Ash: "Th-Thief"?
Delia: Oh… *blushes* Oh, not in front of Ash...
Red: *to Ash* Back when your mother and I first met she was a bit of a con-artist. Took all my money selling fake items. And then later stole my Boulder and Cascade badge, giving me fakes when I went to get them back. I didn't even realise until I was at the sixth gym.
Ash's eyes and mouth were wide open in shock. All the while Delia was blushing up a storm.
Ash: MOM?!
Delia: *giggles* Oh… It was so long ago. I was such a rebel.
Red: And if I remember correctly you stole Turtley and your PokeDex from Professor Oak's father.
Delia: ...Best day back then...
Red: What were THE best days?
Delia: The day we were married...And the day Ash was born...
Red: Good answer. I'll be home by tomorrow, I'll catch a ride wth our boy in the morning.
Delia: I'll hold you to that Richard.
Ash: We battled earlier, Mom. Dad wiped the floor with me… But that just means I have more to learn.
Red: I have to admit Evolver, our son's really something if he managed to get all 8 badges on his first journey.
Delia: *sighs* I've missed that name.
Ash: So, Mom...What DID you call us for?
Delia: I called to check on you boys." She smiled
Ash: Oh...Well...
Red: We're fine, Evolver…
Delia: So, you'll be back tomorrow?
Red: Promise.
Nodding, Delia wished the pair a good night before she hung up, leaving the two looking at each other and smiling while Cobalt looked out from his hiding spot.
Cobalt: Is it over?
TO BE CONITNUED….
—-
Ash's Team
Lucario: Cobalt
Sceptile: Green
Alakazam: Psi
Gengar: Yami
Charizard: Aidan
Inteleon: Azula
Togepi: Kestrel
Rotom: Sparky (at Oak's lab)
Umbreon *shiny*: Blacky (at home)
Red's Team
Venasaur: Saur
Poliwrath: Poli
Pikachu: Pika
Espeon: Vee
Charizard
Lapras: Lappy
Snorlax: Lax
Blastoise: Turtley
Ditto: Ditty