Chapter 34
Flying back to the League Ash was in a strange mood. He had learned a lot today and while learning nothing about what he came for it was still something to ponder over. He would have never thought Riley would abandon the Queen like that. While his intentions were honourable (as much as it pained Ash to admit that) the decision to leave the Queen totally alone was huge and he wondered how Rota would function without him. He felt something he never thought he would, pity. He could see Rileys aura was in flux as every other aura user in the place likely could and would never likely be fixed. So his decision to diminish in solitude rather than in the room in the vaults was something to be admired because it would be very painful. Riley certainly wasn't taking the easy way out with his decision.
Lucario had decided he needed to talk to Hailee in person so he would make the journey while the Johto League was in full flow. That way, he had reasoned Ilene could have at least somewhat grieved for the loss of Riley and started her job full time again. Ash wondered how that would go down with her, to lose her two Generals, even if one was temporary, would be a big worry to her.
Ash's biggest issue though was finding out why Roland had lifted the documents from the library and more importantly why and who for. Landing outside the main stadium he was astounded to find the reporters hadn't yet moved. That's some staying power Ash thought as he pushed through them.
"I'm sorry, but until I know what happened and can give a detailed answer I cannot at this time make a full statement. I would suggest you all go home because it's not likely going to happen today. The President will release a statement sometime in the next few days."
"But you released a statement starting this whole thing off." A reporter called out causing Ash to pause.
"I did" he acknowledged "and while I am glad I did I will say this. The President was not behind the rule change in the first place. He was outvoted by the board but I'm glad to see reason prevailed. We have a lot to do over the next few days to appease the masses that were quite prepared to walk out in protest, to those I say thank you. To the trainers who spoke up I say this, your voice was heard but there's a lot of work now to be done to rectify the issues that were created and we need your help once more."
Turning around Ash walked straight into the building and into the elevator where he breathed a sigh of relief. That should help Giovanni get some credit back with the public, he thought.
Wandering into his office he sat down and loaded up his computer and sighed at the number of messages he had received. It was past midnight when he finally answered the last one and closed his computer. There was a lot of work to do to convince the shareholders and financial backers of the Plateau that they were not going to do an about turn but thankfully for Ash that was Giovannis job to sort that out. He suspected though that he would be required to be present for a few of them but hopefully he would be able to go back to training soon.
Standing up he walked into his room and began to get undressed. Sitting on his bed in just his boxers he looked over at Pikachu who was flat out on a smaller bed he had installed a few days ago for him. Chuckling at the way his starter was panned out he walked into the bathroom and brushed his teeth before heading to bed. A few hours later though his aura twinged making him sit up, something was trying to break into his mind and whatever it was was very strong, especially given who he was and where he was located. Sitting up he crossed his legs and focused to try and pinpoint exactly where the attack was coming from. He didn't do this too often as it could easily overwhelm his mind trying to focus on everyone in a concentrated area. Whoever it was had to be close, Ash thought. Extending his aura he skimmed over the majority of people who were asleep in the surrounding buildings and ignored the ones that were still partying. Thankfully to Ash though whoever it was was still trying so he could use that as a guide. Opening his eyes he grinned. He had found them.
Getting dressed as quickly as he could he and Pikachu raced to the elevator and impatiently waited for the elevator to reach the bottom and rushed past the night guard.
"Call the police," Pikachu said as he was leaving, causing Ash to stop.
"Why?" Ash asked, confused.
"Ash, you're rushing into a situation that could be a trap with nothing but your word that someone attacked your mind. There's no proof. Call the police as back-up." Pikachu said.
Nodding Ash backtracked to the night guard "call the police, I've just had my mind attacked and I'm headed to find out who it was. They're on the eastern side of the Plateau but that's all I know."
Rushing off he left the bewildered guard looking confused before Ash's words kicked in. fumbling he dialled the Police and told them the Champion needed their aid immediately at the Eastern entrance to the Plateau.
Ash however was running flat out towards the Eastern entrance passing by shocked partygoers. Looking at each other, many of them decided that whatever he was doing was likely more exciting than getting a drink so they followed and soon enough there was at least thirty people trying to catch up. The attack on his mind was getting more desperate as he neared and Ash felt it give one last heave as he halted at a house that caused him to grit his teeth. Angry that someone would try to attack him he focused on creating an Aura Sphere and he launched it at the window smashing the glass to pieces causing a lot of shouting from inside. Ash felt several pops signifying whoever it was had left and jumping through the window he stopped dead as in front of him was the new Kanto Champion, dead, drooling from his mouth with his eyes bulging out. Cautiously he walked forwards looking around but every scan he sent informed him his was the only aura in the building. Hearing a noise at the window he shouted "Stop! Be careful, there's glass everywhere and there's shards sticking out from the window. I'll open the door."
Doing just that he saw an officer Jenny with her Arcanine with another with her Growlithe. Walking back outside he informed them what had happened and that he had only just arrived himself.
"Ok" Acranine Jenny said "well this is now a crime scene so we will require you to stay out while we conduct the investigation. We will need you to come to the station to give your statement but as of now this is a potential murder investigation."
Nodding Ash sat down on a bench just opposite and waited and watched as several more officers turned up along with an ambulance. Obviously by this time the crowd of party goers had also arrived and watched on in fascination as they saw the new Kanto Champion carried out in a body bag.
"I'm glad you warned me Pi" Ash said sighing "or I'd likely have been framed for this and be chief suspect in a murder case."
"We can't do what we used to do Ash" Pikachu said "long gone are the days where we can get away with killing Rocket Members in Power Plants and be anonymous, we have to be really careful everywhere we go now. What do you think happened?"
"I think they were using him as a focal point to try and attack my mind by giving him their power" Ash said "I have no idea how many there were but there was at least ten of them that scarpered when I broke through the window. No honour amongst the abominations it seems."
Seeing an officer walk up to him he stood up and met them.
"Mr Ketchum, I've been instructed to ask you to come to the station to give your statement" she said "It should be a quick process so we shouldn't keep you too long."
Nodding Ash climbed onto the back of the bike and took the five minute journey to the station. Three hours he was in the station. Three hours going over his statement which did not change once despite them asking for clarification on certain things. It was gone 7am when he flopped back down onto his bed face first passing out in exhaustion. So when Anne came to wake him up an hour later and had to duck from an Aura Sphere she decided that leaving him to sleep was likely the better option. A few hours later Ash woke up yawning heavily and as he climbed into the shower to try and wake himself up. He was not surprised in the least to get a knock on his door a few minutes later and walking into the office he saw Giovanni sat down with surprisingly Koga and the Chief Jenny from last night.
"Good…afternoon" he said looking at the clock "wow it's afternoon already?"
"Indeed Mr Ketchum" Jenny said nodding.
"Ash, please," he said looking at her.
"For this I would like to keep it professional." she said "so it will remain Mr Ketchum.
"That's fine" Ash said, nodding "what can I do for you? I gave my statement last night."
"The death of the newly crowned Champion wasn't the only death last night" Giovanni said, putting a folder down onto Ash's desk.
Opening it Ash looked confused at the name on the document "Who is this guy?" Ash asked.
"Hubert Lawrenson IV" Giovanni said "Head of the Kanto League Board."
"The fourth eh? Ash said shaking his head "I haven't met anyone from the board, other than you. I've kept out of the politics of that for a reason because I'm massively out of my depth dealing with them. I have no interest in schmoozing with the super rich, although I'm dreading taking over fully from Blue as I know that's what I'll be expected to do."
"So you've never met this person?" Jenny asked, jotting it down.
"No, never" Ash said shaking his head "hang on, was he responsible for the psychic takeover of the league?"
"He was," Giovanni said. "The re-vote yesterday only swung in our favour when the abstainers and one of his camp defected evening the vote up and letting me cast a deciding vote."
"So why am I being shown his photo?" Ash asked, confused.
"He was found dead in his limousine half an hour after leaving here yesterday" Jenny said looking at him "there was no one else in his Limo either and his driver said they made no detours from here to his house in the hills of the Plateau. His body, especially his face had the same hallmarks of Thomas'."
"Who?" Ash asked.
"The psychic who won the tournament Ash" Giovanni said, earning a surprised look from him.
"Oh right" Ash said "I'll be honest I never bothered to find out the name of who actually won yesterday. I was far too busy in Rota to care but I knew his face when I saw him this morning. So, are we suspecting another psychic murder then?"
"It is our best guess" Jenny said nodding "It's early in our investigation though but we just wondered if you had any insights into this?"
"No" Ash said "while in Rota we found out someone stole any documents concerning psychics that were locked in the restricted section. It might not be connected but given how quickly and how prominent they've been lately it would not surprise me to find out all three are connected."
"I'll get in touch with Rota then" she said making another note "is there anything else?"
"No, I don't think so" Ash said mulling it over "No, there's nothing else that springs to mind."
"Very well" she said standing up "we'll be in touch over the next few days if something comes up."
"I'm heading to Mt Silver the day after tomorrow" Ash said "I'll be out of touch for a few weeks but I'll be staying in Silver Town for the entirety of the tournament, or at least until I either win or lose it. I'll be leaving an emergency contact number with the Guard at Mt Silver though who can find me inside the mountain."
"Very well" she said, nodding before leaving "good day gentlemen."
"This is troubling" Giovanni said, picking the folder back up "we knew he was an issue given the bribes he was giving out and the blackmail he had on most of the other board members so to find him dead less than an hour after leaving here after he lost the vote is troubling."
"I'm more concerned with who was behind his plans of repealing those laws" Ash said looking out of the huge window "we now have literally two dead ends that I just know are linked. Who the hell is out there pulling these strings and why can I not sense them?"
"It's not good, is it?" Koga said, agreeing "but at the moment we have more important issues to resolve. We need to get the outgoing financers back on board, hopefully with Hubert out of the picture we can assure them something like that won't happen again. It's going to be difficult but I hope they'll listen."
"I can't believe I'm saying this" Ash said "but if you need to drop my name in to help then do so. I met Lord Andrews yesterday. I even gave him a copy of my book when he and his grandson came to my aura lesson. I'm considering giving lessons in person after the Johto League here at the Plateau to help anyone shield their minds, what do you think?"
"That might go a long way to influence them to stay," Giovanni said, nodding.
"No bribes or blackmail" Ash said warningly "we need to be above board on this uncle. This needs to be whiter than Swannas down to halt any kind of nonsense coming from it."
"Ash" Giovanni said "I mean this with all sincerity but get fucked. I have been doing this for over thirty years now, I know what to do."
"Sorry" Ash said, conceding Giovanni had a lot more experience in getting deals done. "Anyway I need to make sure a few things are in place before I leave for the Johto League. Is there anything you need me to do over the next few days?"
"Yes" he said handing over a piece of paper "you need to give a statement about the death of the champion last night. Just read that, do not deviate and do not put your own slant on it. We don't want anything coming back on us when we have nothing to do with it."
"Noted" Ash said looking at the brief statement. It was concise and to the point. "I'm not saying that though," he said, crossing out a sentence.
"Ash" Giovanni said, pinching his nose "You've already won this battle against him. The man is dead and regardless of how you feel he still had people that loved him. Stop being an arsehole and say the bloody statement. All of it."
"Fine," Ash said grousing.
"Good" Giovanni said standing up "we have a meet and greet tomorrow at five pm. It was to be the last of Blue's directives and as he is still healing it's on you. I'll meet you at the entrance to the Hall tomorrow at 4pm to go over the details. Good day gentlemen."
"I have something for you" Koga said "come."
Standing up Ash followed him into his office yawning widely. Koga pointed to the seat in front of his desk which Ash took and waited. Koga walked into his bedroom and came out a few minutes later holding a bottle and a Pokéball.
"I experimented with the berry juice you left for me, thank you for that by the way and I discovered something amazing" Koga said smiling "pure Berry Juice is the perfect counter for Toxic and completely neutralises toxins in a Pokémon's bloodstream. It's incredible."
"Oh wow" Ash said cautiously, picking up the bottle that had several stickers on that indicated it was dangerous "This is pure poison right?"
"It is" he said "directly from my Toxicroaks fangs. It's so corrosive I have to buy special bottles to store it in. I'm in contact with a few people that work at your home, I hope you don't mind and we're going to be doing several tests over the next few months."
"Not at all" Ash said, putting the bottle down. "I once told you that you, Janine and any apprentices of yours are always welcome at my home and I'll reiterate it. This could be a game changer for every Pokémon Centre in the world though. Usually it takes weeks for the toxins to leave the bloodstream and Pokémon can feel it for months. Congratulations."
"Thank you" Koga said "but I have not forgotten your contribution to the cause."
"I don't need recognition" Ash said holding his hand up "I just gave you some juice. That's all."
"Even so, it was your thought process that led to me experimenting" Koga continued "so with that in mind I want to give you this." Placing the Pokéball on the desk Ash cautiously picked it up before looking up in surprise when he scanned it with his aura.
"No way!" he said in shock "are you certain?"
"Very much so" Koga said smiling "I remembered your comments when you battled me all those years ago and my Dragalge recently had her own school of children. This one seemed to have a thirst for battling and she often has to keep an eye on him when he disappears as he's been known to try and find opponents around the Safari Zone in Fuchsia where he risks getting caught."
"You still live in Fuchsia?" Ash asked.
"I do" he replied "It has been my home for over thirty years now, It's where my wife and daughter live and I am still one of the wardens for the Safari Zone, particularly the final Zone as it's where the most powerful and often rare Pokémon live. So yes, I still live there."
"Interesting to know" Ash said nodding "I suppose that's one of the reasons you were wary of becoming Elite Four?"
"Among a few yes" Koga said "the main one was the fear of not battling anyone if Lorelei was still here as I was apparently due to replace Bruno. At least as a Gym Leader I had a consistent stream of challengers to keep my skills sharp."
"Yeah it was one of my fears when I realised what being Champion means" Ash said "and then to lose Bruno, Agatha, Lorelei and Lance meant I'd have no one to battle at all. I was glad when I was offered the chance of making you my final Elite Four member, to be honest I considered asking you to be Champion so I could learn under you but Charles Goodshow refused to allow that. Something about how the Kanto trainers knew I'd already beaten you and no one would believe it."
"He said that?" Koga asked, looking irritated.
"Yeah" Ash said "it made no sense to me as I haven't beaten your Elites, I only faced one who was vying for a place as your weakest Elite and I've seen enough of your battles after I faced you to know that our battle was different due to what Charmeleon did. You have much more battle experience than I have, are better with people than I am so it just made sense to me. Charles said no so I appointed you the last member straight away regardless of who joins us. Laura has type advantage over you but I still feel like she'll struggle."
"Interesting" Koga said musingly "anyway yes, Dragalge was at her wits end with him so good luck."
"Oh he'll fit in very well" Ash said taking his Pokédex out of the drawer.
'Skrelp, Pokédex Number 690, the Mock Kelp Pokémon. It vanishes into seaweed and remains perfectly still to avoid attacks from large Pokémon. It's not good at swimming, so it clings to the seaweed. In the Alola region, it's often found near Dhelmise. This Pokémon knows the moves Smokescreen, Tackle, Water Gun and Smokescreen. It also has the hidden move Play Rough but it has yet to be unlocked. This Pokémon has a hardy nature."
"Ooh that's a nice move set" Ash said nodding approvingly "who did she mate with for him to get that as a hidden move?"
"An Azumarill in the Safari Zone" Koga said shaking his head "it was a surprise to me too but there we go."
"An egg move that can counter its own weakness" Ash said putting the ball in his pocket "madness. Anyway thank you, it means a lot."
The next few days thankfully passed by very quickly for Ash and he was currently finishing up his itinerary for the next few months. Sam had agreed to be part of his research team but didn't want to do it full time as he wanted to wind down which Ash was more than happy with as Sam had an incredible brain that he didn't want to be allowed to go to waste. It was slightly selfish of Ash, he knew this but Sam had been such an important part of his life for so long that he felt he owed Sam and given Sam was a researcher at heart it was ideal. Sam had unintentionally wandered into the facility that was studying evolution in baby Pokémon and had sat down in the nursery with various baby Pokémon. Normally no one was allowed near them but you didn't tell Sam Oak he wasn't allowed somewhere and for the rest of the week the babies were all over him as he sat down on the floor and documented their behaviour. The researchers had looked on in amazement at the way he talked to them, played with them, fed them etc so his information at the end was incredible. Ash had just chuckled when he heard Sam had wandered into the enclosures, it was such a Sam thing to do as he had worked with Pokémon all his life so it wasn't a surprise to see he gravitated to them.
"He's brilliant with them" Ralph the head researcher for the facility said "I just wish he would tell us where he's going as if he sees something that interests him he's off."
"I'll order a bell for him" Ash said laughing "I'll speak to him about it as there are protocols in place for a reason. I'll remind him. Where is he now?"
"Down by the lake" he said "the Lapras are due to give birth anytime now, they've got a due date of the last few weeks in December but as with any Pokémon or human the due date isn't 100% exact. There's three months until that time and they've started to hide in their caves more away from humans. It seems it's a very private affair in the wild and their natural instincts are to not let anyone near them. We've managed to set up cameras inside their den that are hidden from view and work on night vision so we should witness it but as I said it's getting a bit ropey going near rhythm as they're prone to attacking us if we get too close. "
"Just be careful" Ash said "I might have to put a ban on people entering the cave system until they come out with their calves as entering the caves could cost them their lives."
"I've already put a plan for a protocol to be put in place" Ralph said handing over the document "given this could be something that goes on for decades we should probably establish the rules now before they all decide to disappear back to the Orange Islands."
"It could still happen" Ash said "there was never a guarantee they'd stay after calving. The guarantee was that we had a Bull for them to mate with which is what they all jumped at. So they probably will leave for the Orange Islands but it's very perilous at the best of times. I'll speak with the matriarch to see her thoughts on the matter but it's what they want at the end of the day. I am worried though as even with these eight giving birth the numbers have only jumped up by eight. The fact they have an eighteen month pregnancy, don't let their calves leave until they're four and then only think about mating again once they leave is a big issue. It's the main reason they're going extinct but there's literally nothing we can do other than to persuade them to stay."
"Eight more though means another eight that can potentially get pregnant" Ralph said "if they're all female that is."
"It's an extra eight that weren't in the world before" Ash said nodding "that can only be a good thing. At this rate though it'll be after I have gone before they're taken off the critically endangered list."
"It's a start," Ralph said.
Nia had been emailing back and forth for the last week to get the rooms in order for Bruno and Lorelei who had agreed to come for a few months in February. Apparently they had been in constant contact and Nia had plans to visit while Ash was in Johto to start directing traffic with the decorators. It was strange, Ash thought as he paused in his room while looking for his socks and saw a book and glasses on a nightstand. Curiously he walked to the nightstand and picked up the book "The Life and Times of Greta Longstaff: The Dark Master". Interesting Ash thought, why she was reading about the ex Hoenn Champion was a mystery but he supposed it was quite informative. Opening the drawer to put the book away he paused and blushed heavily before quickly closing the drawer. Placing the book back down he walked into the bathroom and opened the cabinet and stopped what he was doing as on two of the three shelves were shampoos and conditioners as well as a brush and hairdryer. Nia had also been moving bits of her stuff in it seemed, without him knowing. He could have sworn they weren't there yesterday or had he just not noticed? It would seem not he mused as he wandered downstairs given she had taken over his medicine cabinet and left her underwear in a drawer. Pausing on the stairs he walked back into his room and opened his walk-in closet and shook his head as the entire left side had been filled with dresses with flowers on, stompy boots and other black clothes like band shirts and dungarees.
"Unbelievable" Ash said, closing the closet and wandering downstairs and greeting Zoe who was sat with Gary going over some documents of some sort.
"What's wrong with you?" Gary asked looking up.
"Give me a minute," he said, walking over to the videophone and typing in Nias' number. A few rings later she answered.
"Hi Ash, what's up?" she asked before spotting her audience "Hi Zoe, hi Gary."
"When did you move in?" Ash asked her much to her confusion "and how did I not notice?"
"What do you mean?" she asked, confused.
"Well I've just looked in my medicine cabinet and found your shampoos" Ash said "and then I've just looked in my closet and there's more of your clothes in there than mine. When did that happen?"
"Has anyone ever told you you're cute when you look confused?" she replied laughing.
"Well no" he replied, confused by the non answer.
"Well you are. Have a good day Ash." she said, still laughing before hanging up on him.
Confused, he turned around to see Gary and Zoe trying to school their faces. "Is it just me or did she not answer that question?"
"Yeah she did" Gary said standing up and gathering his papers "we both heard her reply."
"Yeah" Zoe said, also standing up "honestly Ash, you should learn to listen." Ash sat down confused before looking out of the doorway when he heard the two burst out laughing.
"Bloody women" he muttered before following them out of the room.
The day of his leaving he received an alarming email from Indigo Plateaus Chief of Police requesting his presence. Landing at the Plateaus police station he was confused to find reporters outside there.
"Mr Ketchum" a reporter asked "what can you tell us of the death of the Indigo Champion?"
"Absolutely nothing Abigail" Ash said "I literally found him in a room. The police haven't told me anything else as I'm not family. All I know was he died in that room and I heard pops, likely teleporting Pokémon. Other than that I'm just as clueless as you."
"That's very strange though isn't it?" she asked.
"Very" he said "anyway I'm due to meet with the Chief. I doubt anything will come out today so I'd go home if I were you lot." Without waiting for an answer he wandered into the station and sat down after giving the officer on reception his name. She chuckled as she rang the Chief, after all who didn't know who Ash was?
"Ash" the Chief said walking out of a room "In here."
Standing he walked into her room and sat down.
"What's this about Chief?" Ash asked "your email was rather urgent and lacking in information."
Taking a sheaf of parchment out of a folder she handed it to him where he read it and immediately sat up.
"How did you find this out?" he asked, alarmed as he read through the document.
"It was part of the evidence we gathered from the house" she said folding her arms under her chin "We're quite interested to know why you are mentioned by name."
"That's not the main question" Ash murmured as he read further "I'm the worlds best and most gifted aura user. Any psychic wanting to gain a foothold in this world will have to eventually go through me so it makes sense to try and take me out first. What I don't understand is why they'd show their hand like this. I'm assuming these initials are names as TG must be Thomas Graves the dead champion, HL must be Hubert Lawrence another dead man, SN I'm not sure about but I feel like I should know who that is. LG the same, WI too But this last one M2 is the most concerning because I know exactly who that is. I suspect these initials are all prominent psychic trainers given M2 is likely to be a rallying point." Standing up Ash zipped up his cloak
"Where are you going?" The Chief asked not expecting the sudden departure of Ash.
Tapping the initials M2 he looked at her and said "I'll email you with the details but I'd check what the initials are of the most prominent psychic type trainers are and check them against this list, should you need all of them in Kanto just ask my secretary Anne, I'll let her know to send you a complete list. I'm off to Mt Quena. I have a Legendary to confront, again it seems."
Climbing on Salamence he instructed her to fly home first before they would make their way to Olivine City via Vermillion. He sent a few people messages to let them know where he was going and as he was sat on the boat to Olivine he contemplated what he was going to say. After all the last time he saw Mewtwo he broke his back and died in the process so it was bound to be a spicy confrontation. Ash was more concerned about Mewtwo being a rallying point for the abominations though as if Mewtwo got involved thousands would die. Getting off the boat in Olivine he saw looked on his watch and saw it was 8pm so he decided to book into a hotel for the night. Usually he'd stay in the professors room at the Pokémon Centre but he had found out the majority of the professors rooms were full as they made their way to Silver Town so it was just easier to get a room at a hotel. Olivine being a port made it almost impossible to get a room in the centre.
He felt as he and Pikachu were having some food at a restaurant along the harbour that he was being watched, he could feel several psychics around Olivine which made him feel irritated but as long as they left him alone he wouldn't confront them.
"Can I join you?" A voice Ash hoped he'd never hear again asked.
"Sure" he said, bringing out his phone and sending Nia a quick message. Looking up he smiled at her "How's things been Jasmine? I thought you'd be in Silver Town for the start of the conference."
"It doesn't start for another four weeks," she said, smiling as she sat down. She was wearing a long floral green dress, with green flip-flops and looked very pretty. "Why are you back in Olivine? I've seen you flying around here quite a lot over the last few months but didn't have the chance to say hello."
"It's been a busy old time," he said, handing Pikachu a tomato from his plate as she ordered something herself and handed the menu back to the waiter. "The last few weeks have been ridiculously busy."
"You're not wrong" she said laughing "'a war on psychic trainers' the papers have called it. Was it really necessary?"
"Yes" Ash said, simply taking a bite of his linguini "they're scum and I will never apologise for my views on them. By rights they shouldn't exist yet aura users have been hampered for centuries because of their own hubris and psychics have been allowed to recover their numbers when they should have been eradicated from the planet."
Jasmine could only look at him in shock at his words. She'd never heard someone speak so passionately about eradicating or killing people before. Usually when someone said what Ash did they were spoken by fanatics who were intolerant of someone else for something as simple as their religion or sexual orientation. So to hear someone she knew was intrinsically a good person at heart like Ash speak with such vehemence of living people shocked her.
"I won't apologise for my views" Ash said as the waiter placed her food in front of her and turned to see people taking pictures of them both "and I don't expect others to agree with me but one day, maybe when we're long gone there will be another war between the psychics and aura wielders where thousands will perish again when it could all have been sorted centuries ago. Thankfully, for wielders like myself there are more and more of us learning the basic protections every day which gives me hope that one day there will be no need for a war." Shaking his head at the reporters that had gathered he said "Do they have nothing better to do than take pictures of people eating?"
"So why are you here?" she asked, starting to eat. "And no, trust me I had to chase a few people from my house the other day. They never go away."
"I'm here to have a word with someone." Ash said darkly before ignoring the people "someone who will hopefully be wise enough to keep out of whatever nonsense is brewing."
"Should I be worried?" she asked, pausing her eating.
"Not yet" Ash said "but keep an eye out all the same. There's been some very strange occurrences over the last few weeks, and it's all leading up to something. I just don't know what yet, which is maddening."
Chuckling Jasmine carried on eating as he answered his messages.
"Someone's popular," she said, nodding to his phone.
"Yeah" Ash said shaking his head "I found out this morning that Nia has been moving her things into our home without me knowing and had 'hired' my aide Zoe and her boyfriend Gary to help her." laughing slightly he carried on "they're sneaky sods the lot of them."
"You are aware you just said 'our' home right?" she asked, swiping a piece of bread around her plate, mopping up the sauce.
"I seem to be doing that a lot lately" he said after pondering on it "I'll be honest it's not something I'm mad about either. I thought I would be but I'm just not. She's been designing my apprentices room so I think she's used that as an excuse to also slowly decorate my room too. Honestly I found a bobby pin on my under sheet this morning. The bloody thing stabbed me in the arse when I turned over and Pikachu shocked me in surprise because I woke him up."
Jasmine burst out laughing and Ash had to wait several minutes before she calmed down. "That is priceless" she said taking a deep gulp of her drink "she seems like a wonderful woman."
"She really is," he said, looking out to the sea which was shimmering in the dark as the lighthouse light shone across the harbour. "When she's home I'm more relaxed than I've ever been. There aren't enough minutes in the day when I'm with her and my life has only been better for her being in it. I'm very content."
Nodding Jasmine was silent as she grabbed her drink and looked out over the harbour. While it was late on in the year and Olivine was a port it was still quite a nice warm night. "I hope to have that one day" she said suddenly gaining his attention "what you have. Keep hold of it Ash. Tightly and don't let go."
"I have no intention of letting her go" Ash said, nodding and signalling to the waiter for the bill "she's my Nia."
Saying goodbye to her they parted at the Lighthouse before he carried on to the hotel where he had a somewhat restless night. The next day he received a message as he was walking out of the hotel and shook his head when he saw the local newsagent that had papers out-front. Apparently the picture of him and Jasmine while she was laughing had made the local news. Seeing the name of the news outlet he swore he would never give them an interview again after reading the caption 'Ketchum the love rat?' Bastards.
Messaging Nia he warned her before releasing Salamence and flew West over the mountains past Olivine on the way to Cianwood before they turned North and headed up towards a place very few people dared to venture. Mt Quena had gained a reputation far worse than Mt Silver ever had over the last few years as explorers and hikers had gone missing, some never found their way to civilization again and perished on the mountain but those that did manage to make it back had all experienced memory loss. Ash though knew exactly what had happened as he knew that residing at the top of the world was the Most Powerful Pokémon in the world. Mewtwo.
He knew he was getting nearer when he felt something try to take hold of his mind as they flew over a forest that surrounded a huge mountain atop the mountain range. Rebuffing it he felt a strange sense of amused irritation as whatever it was failed. Ash responded by sending out his aura until he, Pikachu and Salamence were covered in a blue film as they swept upwards. Suddenly the mountain gave way to sky and they looked down in amazement as stretched out for at least a mile was a huge green lush area with hundreds of trees, waterfalls that all seemed to flow into a huge lake and many Pokémon wandering around. It seemed like Mewtwo had created a Utopia for the clones he thought and welcomed other Pokémon to live there too. Landing on a ridge they all looked across the horizon in quiet awe.
"It reminds me of Digletts Valley" Pikachu said.
"Exactly what I was thinking" he said "over there to the North is the Laramie Ranch, to the south of the lake is what seems to be a mashup of Viridian and Ilex Forest, to the East is Digletts Valley and just underneath us where the lake and river disappears down the side of the mountain is definitely our home. It's utterly beautiful."
"Glad you approve Ash" an amused voice said as a pop happened behind him.
"Mewtwo" Ash said not turning around "This is a much better place to live than New Island. You've certainly outdone yourself."
"I cannot take all the credit" he said, moving to float at the side of Ash and observe his home "The Pokémon that inhabit this area have done all of the work. I have simply prevented anyone from disturbing us, though many have strayed here and tried to take what is not theirs to take."
"Yes" Ash said sourly "humans have a habit of doing that. Dare I ask what happened to those?"
"They are not anyone's concern any longer," Mewtwo said without any emotion.
"Good," he said, "can I hire you?" he finished, joking.
"To do what?" he asked curiously.
"It was a joke," he said, turning to face him.
"Why are you here? Mewtwo asked.
"I wouldn't have disturbed your peace if I felt I had no choice Mewtwo so for that I apologise but you're the only one that I believe can help me." Ash said.
"I was under the impression I had repaid any debt between us when I retrieved your father." Mewtwo said.
"Oh this isn't anything to do with that" Ash replied "No, that debt, as you said, has long since been repaid and I would like to thank you for doing so. I will forever be grateful for your help with that. My mother has also asked me to convey her thanks as well. No, this is something else entirely. How up to date are you on the goings on in the world?"
"The Pokémon keep me as informed as they can" Mewtwo said "I have the eyes and ears of several Pokémon that routinely leave this valley and return. Word reached me of your words. I cannot say I am overjoyed to see you here."
"I won't apologise Mewtwo" Ash said "peoples minds should be their own. Violating that should come with consequences which is what happened. I have absolutely no problem with Psychic Pokémon Mewtwo. None whatsoever but I will not suffer to let one of those abominations take root where I work. Not while I draw breath."
"And yet without those that can communicate with us we would not have as prominent a place in this world" Mewtwo said "do not forget that we cannot communicate with aura users and Telepathy has its drawbacks if used too much. Psychics, for all their faults, are the only ones that can safely communicate with us. Do not assume that just because your kind won against the ancients and those that aided them that you are in the right Ash. Both sides should share the blame for what happened and yet they don't."
"I don't pretend to be on the correct side of history Mewtwo" Ash said looking back out at the valley "I simply am on my side and it is ingrained in my very being to abhor those who tried to usurp the natural order of things."
"How do you know it wasn't a natural evolution of aura?" Mewtwo asked "History is often written by the victor after all and there are many instances of evolution at play in the world."
"I know because of how it feels anytime I am around one of them" Ash said "my aura knows they should not be here. It's difficult to explain to someone who cannot feel what I feel but it's like an itch that I need to scratch anytime I am around them. That scratch is erasure Mewtwo. It wasn't a natural evolution because of what Malokei made it to be. From being able to shape the aura of the world asking it to aid you before it dissolves back into the Earth where it belongs to shaping the aura of the world to force it to your bidding is the biggest difference and why I know they're a corruption. The symbiotic nature of us all was washed away by people who should have known better to the point war was inevitable."
"History seems to be repeating itself" Mewtwo said "I have been listening to the world over the last few years and there have been rumblings from afar. Your presence on the world is a corruption in of itself Ash and one that is not welcome to all."
"I know," he said, nodding and sighing, "but I was created for a reason, and as long as I'm still here I will do what I can to aid the Pokémon of the world."
"Not the humans?" he asked sharply.
"If I could live alone like you I wouldn't complain" Ash said "don't get me wrong I love my family, and there are people I know who are very decent human beings but having to deal with selfish bastards like the ones who created you every other week wears on a person. The fact Silver has been allowed to live burns me up every day."
"War is on the horizon" Mewtwo said after a minute of silence "you must be able to feel it."
"I can" Ash said "the question is what side will you be on?"
"Ah" Mewtwo said before looking at Ash "and now we get to the real reason you are here."
"One of them" Ash said nodding "I was attacked a few nights ago by the new Indigo League Champion. A group of psychics tried to invade my mind by using him as a focal point, to what end I don't know."
"No they didn't" Mewtwo said, surprising him "they were not after you Ash."
"They were trying to get to you" Ash said suddenly having an epiphany. Looking at him gaining a nod "they were trying to get your location. But to use a house at Indigo Plateau was madness. They must have known I'd feel them attempt what they did."
"Indeed" he said, nodding "I admit I was slightly curious as to why and I was tempted to appear at the Plateau to gauge their intentions before destroying them for their temerity. However their attempt was cut short. The 'focal point' as you say had his mind scrambled as he was far too weak a focus and those that aided him fled. You will find most of them are likely catatonic too so look for news on those who are like your friend the champion. It was quite a pathetic attempt but it served its purpose in alerting me to their presence. I strengthened my protection on this place as a result."
"I read a document yesterday that had your name on it" Ash said "and I am not so arrogant as to be wary of you being a focal point for them in the war that is coming. While I have improved significantly since that time I'm not too proud to admit I would not know the outcome should we battle again. The last time I died and I still feel the aftermath every now and then. You left your mark on me that day."
"You need not worry about that Ash" Mewtwo said sharply causing Ash to look at him "I broke free of the shackles of my last Master and have no intention of belonging to anyone else. My focus is on preserving the lives of my clones and those that keep this place safe. I will not attack any psychic that arrives here to consult with me, nor any Aura Guardian but I will not offer any promises except one. I will not do anything that may result in facing across from you in battle. I will never again be a pawn in anyone's games. You are just as much of a pawn in her sick games as I am."
"Arceus" Ash said nodding, getting a growl from Mewtwo "sadly we are one of four who knows who she is. Every Pokémon and human on the planet had their minds wiped of the knowledge of her existence. Even Pikachu has forgotten what he feels about her."
"Who else knows?" Mewtwo asked.
"Celebi and Dialga" Ash said "possibly Mew but I've not seen her since I saved her life at the Tree of Beginning."
"Interesting" Mewtwo said "the two beings of Time. It seems I shall have to have words with them."
"Celebi isn't very happy with me after what I did to her a few months ago," Ash said chuckling. "She got me involved in Time Travel despite me telling her I was having none of her bullshit so I destroyed her legacy in the very place she was once revered. Every legendary I meet seems to have a world ending prophecy that I am forced to get involved with. One day my luck will run out and I'll lose something I will never get back but they don't care as long as I sort out their problems for them."
"The very reason I will not get involved in any war" Mewtwo said nodding "I'm done with humanity as a whole and their petty displays of arrogance. The rest of the world can burn as far as I'm concerned as long as they do not turn their eyes to here."
Ash nodded quietly, grateful for Mewtwos' words. While he had no doubt he would win in a battle between them both he knew he would not come away from it unscathed.
"How did you manage to retain your memories?" Ash asked.
"My mind is mine" Mewtwo said "my thoughts and feelings are my own and as such will not be messed with."
"Fair enough" Ash said, sighing and looking at his watch "If the war ever makes it here, or even someone that wants to claim this place and you find you need aid then call on me. I will do what I can.
Nodding Mewtwo popped away leaving Ash on his own. Climbing back onto Salamence Ash took flight and did a once over the entire valley before they swept away back down the mountain back towards Olivine City.
Mewtwo watched him and felt him disappear from his protective shield around the mountain and sighed as another pop signalled an arrival.
"Well?" it asked.
"Ketchum wanted my assurance I would not be a part of the upcoming battle. I gave it to him."
"You know you won't have a choice in the matter should it come to it." the voice said.
"I know" he said turning to face his sister "why are you forcing this issue?"
"It needs to happen" Mew said turning upside down "there is something happening to the human world which will spill over to ours and should we not choose a side we will be swallowed up and destroyed. For every aura user created there is a psychic created. And for every Chosen One there is one who will be his biggest rival. Ash is under the impression that you were it, and for a time you were but it is a false belief, one that will become apparent very quickly. I know you have felt them Mewtwo, every psychic across the world has felt their call but Ash is Arceus' Chosen for a reason, and he has survived every single thing that has been thrown into his path for a reason and while he has come out of them more cynical he has also come out and gained Legendaries as allies in the process. Now, Arceus may have lost my loyalty when she allowed me to suffer for all that time and then you to suffer during your creation but very soon everyone will need to choose a side where everyone will lose. There will be no victor of the next one because the damage might be too much for the world to heal. I will not be the one to put an end to the next war like last time Mewtwo. The last time was the last chance I could give the world as my soul was mine to give, it is now not completely my own. I am still undecided on what side to choose but I fear the repercussions of choosing badly."
"Which is why I will do what I can to protect what little I have" Mewtwo said looking out to his home "I will not be a pawn again Mew."
"Brother" she said, turning the right way around, "you will have no choice." popping away she left a very contemplative Mewtwo struggling not to rage against being forced into another situation created by humans.