Chapter 41
"What do you want?" Zoe asked archly.
"Can I come in? Please?" Hatori asked, "I would not be here if it was not necessary."
"Come in" she said, moving out of the way and leading him to the lounge area "do you want a drink?"
"Please" he replied, taking in the room and seeing pictures of Zoe and Ava on the mantelpiece. Picking one up he smiled as he saw her on a swing laughing at the camera. "She looks just like you." he said, putting it back onto the mantlepiece.
"She does," Zoe said, handing him a glass of water and motioning for him to take a seat "she's my little miracle. She's at a friend's house having a sleepover tonight. Now, what can I do for you?"
"There's no easy way to say this so I'll just come out and say it" Hatori said sitting down heavily "Hanzo has filed for adoption of Ava."
"He's done what?" Zoe asked incredulously, shocked at his statement.
"He has got it into his head that if he adopts her he will be welcomed as a Suzuki and that the shame he has brought onto this family as a result of what he did to you will be erased" Hatori said "he believes that by formally adopting her into our family our happiness, that is my father and I, will make us forget what he did and forgive him. He is mistaken."
"He won't get what he seeks" Zoe said, shaking her head "there's a reason he isn't on the birth certificate and he never will be."
"Good" Hatori said, shocking her "my father is in the process of filing papers to disown him, preventing him from inheriting should something happen to either of us. Emily, my daughter will inherit everything when she is old enough. I'll be honest, I was expecting there to be more from you should he try this."
"I've been expecting it since she was born" Zoe said shaking her head "the rich always tries to keep the poor downtrodden, it's no different with the rich people's children who can take what they want because they've not been taught they can't. Hanzo was very persuasive but he took advantage of me. So, I want you to warn him that if he presses this and successfully proves Ava is his child I will sue him for sleeping with a minor and he has absolutely no way of getting out of it because her age and my age will prove it. My baby is eight in just over a month's time, I'm twenty one. He's twenty-eight and had no business sleeping with a girl my age. The maths doesn't lie."
"I hope it will not come to that," Hatori said, concerned before sighing. "I had hoped to at least some day have a relationship with you and Ava, even if it's a professional one but he has likely messed up any thought of that happening."
"For myself I never want anything but a professional one" Zoe said "as for Ava she is fast approaching the age where she will be leaving Pallet Town on her own journey as a trainer. I had planned to use the last year before that to tell her everything she needs to know about being a trainer and who her father is and his family so she wouldn't be caught out. Other than that I had no plans to tell her anything else, she's smart enough to come up with her own deductions. I've never lied to her about Hanzo, I told her that he didn't want anything to do with her and that it was not her fault. I just hope she realises that and doesn't grow up with a complex because of what he's put me and her through."
"We tried to get in touch a few times," Hatori said after a minute of silence, "not for him but for myself and Emily. And for my father also but we respected your decision and left you alone. I just want you to know it was not an easy decision to make and that I am so very proud of you."
"It came across as hush money" Zoe said sighing and tucking her legs underneath her "and I didn't want you or him to have any hold on me whatsoever after what he did. I have no regrets, my life is fantastic now and I'm not changing that for anyone."
"We wouldn't ask you to" Hatori said "I want to thank you for hearing me out and not slamming the door in my face. I must be going, I need to inform Ash next and that's not going to be a pleasant conversation."
"Why?" Zoe asked confused "Ash, while being close to Ava isn't her father nor related in any way so why do you need to talk to Ash?"
"They met each other today," Hatori said heavily, "and it didn't turn out very well. Hanzo tried to sack Joanne, Ash took it personally and has banned him from any form of contact for any future endeavours he does for Silph. He's also given Hanzo a warning to not even try anything with Joanne in the future or there will be consequences. What those will be I have no idea but I would rather not find out."
"I'll speak to Ash" Zoe said "while it's a noble thought it's still nothing to do with him."
"Maybe not concerning Ava" Hatori said "but Ash has a contract with us and it's on behalf of Silph I will be speaking to him. Hopefully it should not be a problem for too long as like I said father is in the process of disowning him and preventing him from having anything to do with Silph."
"Ok" Zoe said, shrugging her shoulders "I'll let him know but I personally don't think he needs to."
Hatori stood up and bowed his head to her before leaving, Zoe closing the door after him and looking at the clock. She saw it was only around 7:30pm so she decided to go for a walk in the local park. Ten minutes later she was sat on the bench just looking around her, letting the world pass her by when someone sat next to her.
"You're out late?" Red said as he put down a few bags on the ground "everything ok?"
"Not really" Zoe said looking at him and then the bags.
"Oh, the nappies we bought were the wrong size so I've come out to get the right ones" he said "so, what's up?"
"Ava's dad is a wanker" she said, earning a snort.
"You don't talk about him that much" Red said "And I've not asked because it's none of my business. We respect your privacy Zoe, but if there's anything you want to talk about you know you're more than welcome at our home."
"I know" she said "I may just take you up on that some time but for now I need to sort this out myself."
"Have you eaten?" Red asked, getting a negative. Standing up he grabbed the bags and said "come on, Delia has made enough food to feed a hundred people. Don't argue, you'll be doing me a favour really."
"Fine" she said, shaking her head knowing exactly what was happening. Grabbing a bag she walked in peaceful silence alongside Red mentally preparing herself for what was likely going to be a confusing conversation.
"Dee, I'm home." Red shouted as he walked through the door.
"We're in the kitchen" came an answer.
Zoe followed Red into the kitchen to see Delia sat at the counter talking to Ash on the videophone
… " she didn't deserve it mum. I wish it was legal to hit someone, just once."
"Yes but how many 'just once's' would you try and get away with?" Delia asked, laughing.
"Oh I'd lose count very quickly" Ash said laughing "but yeah I'm going to have to go, Hatori has told me he'd ring me around 9pm after he sorted out some important business so I'll leave you and dad to carry on with your night. The show is going to be aired tomorrow at 8pm apparently. I don't know how they're going to stretch it to an hour though as it didn't take that long to make. Oh, hey Zoe. You alright?"
"Hey Ash" she said nodding and sitting down "yeah I will be. Your dad saw me sitting in the park and invited me for tea, saying Delia had cooked enough to feed thousands."
"Hey!" Delia and Red said at the same time.
"Way to throw me under the bus" Red said pretending to be outraged.
Ash just laughed before becoming serious again. "I met Hanzo today."
"Oh?" Zoe asked.
"The guy needs a slap. I was just telling mum he tried to sack Joanne because she told him to leave and tried to pull rank on her" Ash said shaking his head "I've sent you an email about twenty minutes ago actually to try and find room in the budget for hiring Joanne as my personal aide should she want to leave Silph."
"I'm sure there is room," Zoe said, pulling out her phone.
"Oh no need to look now" Ash said shaking his head "no ,you're out of hours and I don't do that unless it's an emergency. I'm sure this can wait. Why were you in the park? Are you ok?"
"I'm good" she said nodding "I was just enjoying some free time away from Ava. She's with her friends having a sleepover."
"Ah" Ash said, raising an eyebrow "you know, while you're there Mum can you tell Zoe something?"
"Sure" she said looking at Zoe while she dished out the plates.
"Mum, can you tell her it's really easy to spot when she's lying please and that there's no need to do so to me" Ash asked laughing.
"Hey!" Zoe said, eliciting laughs all around.
"No but seriously" Ash said "if it's personal just say that. But just know if I can help I will. Oh, Hatori is calling. He must have finished his business. I'll speak to you all Wednesday evening after my match. Love you all. Bye."
"He's not wrong you know" Delia said after the screen went blank "you have this habit of blowing your hair out of your face when you lie or you start fiddling with it. Anyway, why were you in the park at this hour?"
"I suspect Hatoris business was with me" Zoe said, taking a drink of the juice that had been placed in front of her by Red "He arrived not long ago and told me Hanzo has filed for adoption of Ava and that he and his father were against it."
"That's why his helicopter landed in the square" Delia said.
"Apparently" she said before continuing "he told me I deserved to be told in person that they weren't happy with him and that they were disowning him to prevent him from legally doing anything."
"They should have done that eight years ago" Red said sitting down on a chair "when their son got a minor pregnant. The man should be in jail for what he did."
"Why isn't he?" Delia asked.
"Likely because I didn't pursue the legal route." Zoe said "I was far too poor to afford a lawyer. They are far too rich and could afford to wait it out for me to run out of money and then counter-sue me. Plus they shipped him off to Hoenn for a few years to let any scandal that may happen die, out of sight out of mind for them. A scandal like that would have serious repercussions on Silph, ones they couldn't afford to have."
"So what about now?" Delia asked "how are you going to stop him?"
"He's not on the birth certificate so he'll have a hard time claiming she is his" Zoe said "not only that but Ava is due to become an emancipated minor in a few years when she becomes a trainer. Ash has already sent the documents in to become her sponsor so he'll have the legal right to be notified of any major change in her circumstances but overall I will still have parental rights over her."
"Ash won't ask for those" Delia said waving her hand dismissively "he made sure that I retained the rights when he became Sam's apprentice as he knows how important that is. He's done the same with Hailee too even though by law he could overrule Bruno and Lorelei and he makes sure they are included in everything he does with her. If they say no, he doesn't go ahead with it. It'll be the same with you."
"I know" Zoe said smiling "and I know how lucky I am in that respect. I just hope Hanzo is halted before he can do any damage."
"Hmm" Red said before standing up and walking over to a set of drawers. Opening up the top one he rifled through until he pulled out an envelope and walked back. Sitting down he looked at Delia who nodded and handed the envelope to Zoe.
"What's this?" she asked, pulling out the papers and seeing the word adoption on them. "You want to adopt Ava?" she asked, trying not to sound hurt.
"No you silly sod" Red said "you."
"Me what?" Zoe asked, still confused.
"We want to adopt you" Delia said taking over "It's not a whim Zoe. We've been discussing this a lot over the last year. We just haven't asked because we didn't want you to think we're in any way trying to take the place of your real mum and dad but you've become a very important person to me Zoe, before Red came back you were a rock for me, even if it was only for a year but I truly appreciated getting to know you. I would have asked you a long time ago but with everything that happened in Greenfield, my pregnancy with Flora, trying to not panic at the deathly situations my son gets into along with running my businesses I pushed it back. But Red and I have been talking about this for months now. Now I want you to know that we will in no way take over parenting Ava, she's your baby. All this means is that we gain another daughter, Ava gets some grandparents who already adore her, Ash gets a big sister and you gain some protection by adding our surname to yours. You are in no way obliged to say yes, we will not think any less of you for saying no but please think about it Zoe."
"I don't really know what to say," she said, looking over the documents. It was all filled in, ready to be signed and had in fact already been signed by Delia and Red.
"You don't need to say anything" Red said gruffly trying not to appear emotional "just promise us you'll think about it. Take your time, go over everything and decide."
"Thank you" she said quietly, putting the papers back into the envelope and picking up her fork. The rest of the evening's conversations were pretty stilted as she was too preoccupied with the envelope. Just as she was finishing her food though a message drew her out of her thoughts.
"It's from Ash" she said pulling her phone out "He will get custody of Ava when there's no longer a hole in my arse Zoe. Do not worry about a thing, I've got Jennifer onto it. She'll be in touch over the next few days. I've already paid for the legal fees. No one messes with my family and gets away with it, no matter how rich they are. Stay safe Sis."
"That boy," Delia said, pinching the top of her nose, shaking her head and looking at Red. "He gets this from you."
"Hey, no he does not" Red replied shaking his head and pointing at her with his spoon "he gets this from you, especially your mum! I was never much of a crusader, even as a Guardian. Your mum on the other hand was one and you bloody know it."
Delia looked at Red for a long moment before sighing "You know I really hate it when you're right. Can you just not be for this one time?"
"Nope," Red said, smirking "I'm in smug mode. It's hard to get out of it."
"Why is he doing this?" Zoe asked "other than being his ranch manager I'm not anything to Ash."
"Oh Zoe" Delia said shaking her head sadly "you're much more loved and cared for than you believe sweetie and while he's an idiot Ash thinks the world of you and Ava. He always has done ever since he first met you that day at the convention. We had so many conversations after that day until he went back and offered you the job about how worried he was and that he couldn't sleep because he had this need to help you. At first I thought it was a crush or Aural Puberty but when we met up during his trip to the Orange Islands and it wasn't that I'm not sorry to say I was so disappointed you wouldn't become my daughter in law. Don't get me wrong, Nia is incredible for him and she's an incredible young woman but you're so important to us all Zoe."
"Thank you" she said quietly "Is there any way Ash will let me sort this out?"
"Yes," Red said, "tell him that you want to sort it out."
"Will it be that easy?" Zoe asked.
"Yes" Red said laughing "he's very new to this brother stuff but he's been yours whether you wanted him or not for two years now. You just need to keep setting the boundaries with him. I'll be honest, I'd work with him on this one. He has more access to resources than you do and it will help him feel like he's at least lending a hand and not having to sit back and watch you suffer."
"Fine" she said nodding, accepting it "As long as he doesn't interfere too much."
"Like I said just tell him what you won't put up with" Delia said "you know he'll listen to you. And if he doesn't tell us, we'll sort him out."
"I will do." she said laughing.
Collecting their dishes Red stood up and said "Think it over Zoe. But no matter what, remember that you're not alone anymore. You're part of our family regardless of if you say yes or no."
The next day Ash received a long message from Zoe telling him that while she appreciated the help she wanted to sort this out herself and that should she need help she would ask. Grumbling Ash messaged Jennifer to tell her to forget his email about Zoe for now. That wasn't the most pressing issue though. The front pages of the newspapers were all about him and his fight with Hanzo Suzuki. It took Ash half an hour of fielding phone calls for him to realise just how anyone had got that information. He had only handed the microphone back after his argument so the entire production company had heard everything he'd said.
Joanne was very upset that her personal business was plastered all over the papers though she was thankful that she had been portrayed as the innocent party in it all and Ash as the saviour. Ash for his part was disgusted that an argument like they had was deemed newsworthy when it didn't even last more than a few minutes.
Jennifer had replied back she was grateful to be asked not to pursue that one because she was neck deep already with his previous request having to deal with making sure he could legally send his workers home as the AONB had yet again kicked up a fuss at being banned from his home. She had asked him to employ a couple of others to work alongside her and had been sending CV's all morning to Ash. He narrowed it down to two people and just decided to employ them both on a temporary basis and sent the confirmation to Jennifer. Given the news today they would likely have a bit more on their plate too.
"Zoe has sent this" Ash said, having printed off a few pieces of paper and handed them to Joanne. "I know Hatori said you weren't fired and you love your job but I sent her an email last night asking her if there was a position working for me and she sent this. I don't actually need to have an aide from Silph, don't worry I'm not thinking of getting rid of you, I just needed to have someone liaise with Silph for me. So Zoe has had a look at the books and has informed me there's more than enough for you to come and work for me as my personal aide. Your job would be pretty much what you do now only it wouldn't just be Silph you liaise with. You'd handle my day to day itinerary, which at the minute isn't much but once I take over as Champion it will be pretty full on."
"So what would I do from now until then?" she asked, confused.
"You'd do what you do now" he said "You'd work from my home but you would liaise with Silph about my everyday issues helping Zoe out and working alongside Blues aide for what my day to day would be like."
"So I'd be your P.A?" she asked.
"Yes" he said nodding
"But like you said I haven't been let go by Silph." she replied.
"I know," he said, agreeing "however in a few years time I'll eventually need to have someone in that position so I thought I'd give you first refusal."
"Wow" Karl said, picking up the form "It's a lot more money than you're on now."
"Money isn't everything Karl," she said, shaking her head.
"I never said it was," he replied, kissing her on her forehead, "worth thinking about though."
Before she could say anything Ash interrupted her "the official job role will go out in a few years. You don't have to say yes right now. But when it's offered out again you'll have first refusal then too. Just give it some thought, yeah?"
"Where would we live?" she asked.
"There's houses in Pallet Town or Viridian City that I own" Ash said "you could choose any of them. Your working hours are in there too and other than exceptional circumstances you won't be required at short notice. Like I said, talk it over with Karl, you have a few years before it will officially go out unless you take it in that time."
"Why have you offered me this?" she said leaning back in her chair and looking at Ash.
"I don't like that you're being treated like shit because your employer's son is a wanker" Ash said "and if I was allowed to hit Hanzo I would have done so when I found out what he'd done not only to Zoe but you also. At least with this you'd be away from that environment."
"Is he still harassing you?" Karl asked, sounding irritated.
"No, he hasn't done that for a while now but he was a bit funny with me yesterday." Joanne said, shaking her head.
"He tried to pull rank claiming you had to obey him because of who you work for" Ash said "That's not right Joanne."
"It isn't" Karl said tapping the papers "think about it Jo. I'll back you, you know I will but think about it."
That evening they all sat down and watched his interview with Ash frowning every now and then at some of the answers he had given. He hadn't realised that he'd talked so much about his life.
"Man I waffle a lot eh?" Ash said when he was listening to himself talk about what started his dream off.
"Yeah you do" Jess said laughing "props on Michael for letting you talk though."
"He certainly did that" Ash said shaking his head "I said to mum last night I have no idea how they're turning this into an hour long special as I didn't feel I talked that long."
"You were there an hour and a half, Ash" Joanne said "a lot of what you said has been edited though and placed elsewhere, which is very strange as you didn't talk about how Silph helped you out with the death of Typhlosion."
"No," Ash said slowly, "I didn't. I talked about her only when discussing me being in therapy, not as part of my dream. I wonder why they've done that."
"I've no idea" Joanne said as she brought out her phone and began typing away "I'm sending Mr Suzuki an email now informing him that it's been edited in parts and a lot moved."
"Well the good thing is it sounded pretty good" Travis said "You didn't come across as a blubbering mess, you were pretty articulate and other than the hesitation to the media question you gave very reasonable answers to the questions asked."
"That one wasn't agreed to" Ash said "That was his own question and I was wondering if I should answer it but I decided to just be honest with it. The problem is though that we know that conversation with Hanzo is going to be leaked and it might undo all this good press."
"You're worried about that?" Joanne asked, shocked.
"Oh, not for me," Ash said, shaking his head. "I did this interview for Hatori and Hirohito to show them I am grateful for their assistance over the last two years. I've made a lot of money with their help and I'm going to make a lot more next year too when Poképal comes out. There have also been incredible breakthroughs on the research end too so it's been a very interesting and rewarding time. So no, I'm not worried about it. Like I said in the interview we're still working out the boundaries on how far we can push each other but neither of us have done anything really to harm each other."
"You've gone over the line a few times to be honest Ash." Joanne said "I don't think you realise how often you challenge them. And there has never been anyone else that has got away with what you have when they've signed a contract. Mr Suzuki doesn't usually renegotiate once he's got a signed contract from someone."
Ash shrugged his shoulders "for me there's only been a handful of times I've had an argument with them and it was resolved fairly quickly."
"That's the thing Ash" Joanne said "a lot of employers would tell you to suck it up and to just get on with it. You're lucky you have some credit with them."
"To be fair nothing I've asked of them has been outrageous" Ash said simply "But anyway, give it some thought. The offer is yours to turn down first and it won't change how I interact with you whatsoever."
"I think you'd need to consider who would take over from me for Silph Ash" Joanne said. "You may get someone who won't be as amenable as I am."
"No I don't" Ash said "my contract states I need an aide to liaise with Silph. It was because I was new to the situation that you were provided for me and I just never felt the need to get my own as you're really good at what you do, I get on with you and you've never led me wrong. We've had very, very few disagreements over the past few years but again it's been resolved very quickly. So yeah, when I take over from Blue the likelihood is I'll need a permanent aide and you'll go back to doing whatever you do when you're not with me."
"Oh" Joanne said frowning "I didn't know that."
"Yeah," Ash said, nodding and standing up "anyone else want another drink?"
Wednesday 31st October 2001
Ash woke up the next day and went through a small workout but he was still feeling his leg. His match was at 1pm today so he had a few hours left and he had just ran through his choices with his Pokémon.
"So I've decided on Queenie, Princess. Machamp, Ampharos and Pikachu for today. She has a lot of normal types but she's using a few fairies too given they're still classed as a sub-species so we need to be careful of Fairy Moves, especially Dazzling Gleam as it's pretty unavoidable. I was considering Queenie being in the line-up but she's not participated so far and she deserves her chance."
"I'm not being beaten by a fairy type" she said grousing.
"We'll have to make sure you only use one Dragon move just in case so we don't get locked into them but I have a pretty good idea on what moves I have in mind for you. So, It's just a light workout today, just to get warmed up."
At 11:30 though he received a call that put a serious spanner in his plans when he received a phone call he'd been hoping would happen tomorrow at the earliest.
"Oh no" he said, watching it ring before answering it "Quincy, please tell me you can wait a few hours?"
"Sorry Ash" came the reply "no can do. The Migration started yesterday, tonight's the Lunar Moon and the container is already on the shoreline waiting to capture the Magikarp. I have maybe an hour at this Pokémon Centre before I need to leave for Rind Island."
"Shit" Ash said, sighing "I have a battle in a few hours and I was hoping to use Princess. Send me the Pokémon centre number and I'll ring Zoe. She'll transport them from my home, just keep hold of my home's transfer number to send her back. I believe the other Gyarados is staying at the Lake of Rage to oversee his new charges. Has Lance been informed?"
"Yes" Quincy said "I informed him just before ringing you. He'll be meeting me at the Lake on Friday afternoon, that's when the Magikarp should arrive but it's a long swim up from Cherrygrove City."
"Is that where the mouth of the River Nara is?" Ash asked "wow, that must be thousands of miles for them to swim."
"Two thousand," Quincy said, nodding "It's the longest river in Johto."
"And there's no nearer place to drop them off?" Ash asked.
"No," Quincy said, "not with a dock anyway. And the Nara leads straight to the Lake so there's no detours they'd have to take."
"But still, two thousand miles in two days?" Ash said incredulously.
"Oh they'll do that no problem" Quincy said dismissively "don't forget Ash they travel the Orange Ocean every year to get to Rind Island and that's no joke. They'll be fine and they have your Gyarados as protection too."
"And you said Lance is meeting you there on Saturday?" Ash asked.
"He is," Quincy replied.
"Well if you meet him just give him Queenie's Pokéball" Ash said "he can hand it to me on Sunday at the final. The top four are required for a meeting after the final anyway."
"Will do" Quincy said "send me a message when they're on their way."
Hanging up Ash walked outside and headed to the practice field and released the two Gyarados.
"Hey Guys" Ash said "Princess I have bad news, you won't be taking part today. Quincy has just rang me. The Prophecy is due and you're needed to help escort the Magikarp up from Cherrygrove City to the Lake of Rage. Gyarados, this may be where we part ways for a while. I'll come and visit once the tournament is over with to see how you're getting on and you can decide if you want releasing."
"I don't" Gyarados said "but I also want to live full time at the Lake."
"That's fine" Ash said "I'll keep a hold of your ball in case you ever want to leave but I have a feeling the next time we see each other will be the final time we'll see each other. You're always welcome to make the journey from the lake to our home anytime you want but for now this is farewell. Be safe, both of you. Princess, I'll see you Sunday I believe."
Recalling them he sent them to his home and rang Zoe to tell her to forward them on. It was a very weird feeling Ash thought as he walked into the reception area of the League and followed the aide to the seating room that he occupied last time. Walking over to the corner he took a seat and closed his eyes, meditating to try and focus on the upcoming battle. It was only when he heard the door open that he realised he was one Pokémon short for the battle and groaned.
"We're a Pokémon short Pi" Ash said to his starter "who would you use?"
"Lapras" Pikachu said instantly "she has the same coverage as Princess and is smaller so she's more agile. Plus we know she has a few normal flying types."
"That's a good point, I doubt she'll use more than one though today," Ash said, nodding in agreement before looking round the room to see Bethany sitting next to Harrison chatting to him. Off on the opposite side though Ash got his first look at the fourth semi-finalist.
"Olivia right?" Ash asked from across the room drawing attention to him.
"I am," she said, nodding "You're Ash Ketchum."
"I am," he said laughing "I watched your match against Casey in the round of 16, You were really good."
"Thanks" she said nodding "how do you know Casey?"
"I gave her her first Pokémon" Ash said leaning back against the wall "she's only been a trainer since March so I've kind of been a bit of a mentor to her. I also gave her her Electabuzz too after she helped me out so I've been following her progress closely along with the other two who left New Bark Town in March, well three if you count Vincenzo too."
"She's only been a trainer since March?" Olivia asked curiously "wow."
"Yeah" Ash said nodding "she's done remarkably well. As have you actually. I had a look at your record. Back to back semi-finals in two different leagues is really good."
"I shouldn't have lost in Hoenn" she said looking over at Harrison who smiled at her "neither should he the year before either but we did."
"Experience told, didn't it" Harrison said "It's why I took a year off to study battling and then went straight to the Orange Islands to rectify my loss. Losing wasn't nice. Especially in your home tournament. You did well to get where you did in your second year Olivia."
"Do you two know each other then?" Bethany asked entering the conversation.
"You could say that," Harrison said, chuckling. "Olivia is my younger sister."
"Oh wow" Ash said looking between them and seeing the resemblance "shows how much I pay attention. So this is a big battle for you guys eh?"
"Not really" Olivia said shaking her head "we've never been that competitive to be honest. Harrison is the more serious of us two as he has 'plans' but for me I just wanted to get a leg up on becoming a professor."
"Oh what's your field of study going to be?" Ash asked leaning forwards, suddenly very interested..
"The relationship between trainer and Pokémon while training and battling" She said.
"That's a very limited field of study I would have thought" Ash said frowning in thought "I mean how would you be able to study that in depth."
"You'd be surprised you know" Olivia said "there's a lot that a Pokémon will suffer through for a trainer they respect as opposed to one they don't"
"Oh I know that," Ash said, scratching Pikachu's head and looking at him, "we've been through a lot. I could write books myself on the extra lengths my Pokémon have gone through."
"Oh please do" she said eagerly "I would love to be able to use you as an example. You're famous even in Hoenn for your exploits."
"I'll send you some examples" Ash said laughing before looking up at the clock and seeing they had twenty minutes before the match. Looking over at the other two he asked "So how are you two feeling?"
"I'm good," Harrison said, sounding very relaxed, "confident" he finished smirking at busy sister who just shook her head and laughed.
"I'm good too" Bethany said "I'm just letting Harrison know what to expect when I meet him in the final."
"Hey" Olivia said, narrowing her eyes "You know I've not been beaten yet right?"
"Yet" Bethany said, smirking.
"You know" Ash said tilting his head at her "confidence is one thing but let me give you some advice. You're very likely to come across Olivia and Harrison again as you continue on your journey along with trainers of their calibre. Don't make unnecessary enemies by being arrogant. I've lost three official matches since I started my life as a trainer. Once against Brock in a match against one of his Elites when I only had Pikachu for a month, the next time was against your sponsor Whitney three years later and the last one was being disqualified by that nob-head referee at the start of this tournament."
"Yeah well" she said standing up and smoothing down her skirt "You've obviously not fought that good a trainer in Kanto, something the latest Indigo League tournament proved. I don't think I'll have an issue battling you so today will be number four when you lose to me."
"You're lucky that half my Kanto team isn't with me," Ash said, shaking his head while also standing up. "You wouldn't make it past three of them."
"Ash" Pikachu said "send me in first."
"Yeah I will do Pi" he said.
"What did he say?" Olivia asked.
"Oh he asked to be put in last to mop up" Ash said lying, knowing Bethany was listening from the doorway. "So I will. Good luck to you both.".
"Why would you give your strategy away like that?" Harrison asked, confused.
"It's not really giving anything away" Ash replied "everyone knows what Pokémon I have available to me and they know right now Pikachu is my strongest. It's the semi-finals. Only a fool keeps their strongest hidden as a surprise on the off chance you make it to the final. For instance I know there's no way you'll leave Blaziken out today, just like I know Olivia will use Sceptile and Bethany will use her Clefable. It's too important a match to leave your strongest out so I'll use Pi."
Bethan didn't say anything as she walked out of the door without saying anything. Walking out behind her he walked down the tunnel and joined her who ignored Ash and was looking straight ahead. Ash just chuckled and patted Pikachu on the head as he waited to be brought out.
"Welcome everyone to the first of the semi-finals for the Silver Tournament. Today's match will be a showdown between the 1st and 3rd seed so it will be sure to be a great contest. Introducing first is a trainer who has blitzed her way to the semi-final, not being fazed once by the occasion. Her cool demeanour has become something of a given so please welcome to the stage Bethany Monroe!"
Bethany smirked looking supremely confident as she walked out to the field waving at the crowd as she did so and halted on the centre circle facing the referee.
"And now for the second of our semi-finalists. His calmness along with his unusual style of battling along with the way of aiding his opponents mid-battle has been something of a talking point. His journey to the semi-final hasn't been as smooth as his opponents but he showed his class once he reached the knockout stage, showing why he is the highest ranked trainer still in the tournament as he swept aside all comers. Please give a warm welcome to Kanto Champion Ash Ketchum!"
Ash took a deep breath then walked out nodding as he did to the crowd and he too stopped by Bethany.
"Today's match will be a five-on-five, one-on-one elimination match with no time limit. The rules haven't changed. The four move rule is still in place, any OHKO moves will see that Pokémon disqualified, substitutions are allowed and you may only use the Pokémon you registered at the beginning of the tournament. Once one person loses three Pokémon there will be a half an hour break where the field will change. It has been decided that we will start on the rock field and finish on the water field.
We have also been directed by Champion Lance of an additional rule for both semi-finals. Should the match end in a draw you will choose one final Pokémon each and battle it out where we will have a winner. When you reach your podiums you will find a plinth with a slot. You will place a Pokémon on that slot and that will be your designated sixth Pokémon, who will not be allowed to be one of your five so choose wisely. Should that match-up end in a draw it will be your ranking which see's you progress to the final, so that means Ash will progress."
"That's a bit unfair," Bethany said, frowning and looking at Ash.
"I thought you were confident in beating me today?" Ash asked, giving her a small smile "what was it you just said in there? You're different because you're better than anyone I fought in Kanto? You essentially called the trainers from Kanto crap."
"I am" she said "and they are, but it still means you have the advantage before we've even started."
"I didn't choose the rules" he said shrugging his shoulders "And before you ask just because I know Lance doesn't mean I have any say in how he runs the Johto League so I had no idea about this but it won't make a difference anyway. It won't get to the sixth Pokémon."
"I'm not happy about this referee" Bethany said "you shouldn't just be able to add new rules in the middle of a tournament."
"Hey, I don't decide the rules, I just enforce them." The referee said "if you drew with your fifth Pokémon you would be going home anyway and there wouldn't be a final, at least this way you have two chances in one battle."
"He's right" Ash said shrugging his shoulders "but as I said it won't come to that. Good luck." Turning around Ash walked to his podium leaving Bethany to stand in the centre circle and gather herself before she too walked over to hers, looking at the stand inside her box and placing a sixth Pokémon on it. She just hoped she'd chosen her other five correctly. Looking up she saw Ash watching her, with his hands behind his back smiling serenely looking extremely comfortable where he was. Taking a deep breath she put on her game face and grabbed her first Pokémon.
"Tauros, battle stance" she said throwing her first Pokémon out onto the field and a huge Bull landed, pawing the ground and snorting in anticipation of the battle ahead.
"Pi" Ash simply said surprising her.
"I thought you were going to use him last" Bethany said confused and a little concerned, "to 'mop up' I believe you said."
"No, I said that to make you think I would" Ash said smiling before looking at the referee.
"Pikachu vs Tauros, begin" the referee shouted.
"Let's get this one over with" Bethany shouted "Tauros Earthquake."
"Ride it out Pi." Ash said looking unconcerned as the ground headed and shook as tremors ripped through the field. Pikachu concentrated and set all four feet on the ground as it hit and stared to sway with the movement until he found the rhythm.
"And Tauros starts off with a huge Earthquake that seemingly has not affected Pikachu one bit." the Stadiums announcer shouted.
As the attack died down Pikachu opened his eyes and started to walk forwards keeping his gaze fixed firmly on his opponent.
"Tauros, let's get in close with Wild Charge." Bethany shouted as her bull coated himself in electricity, roared and charged forwards with determination heading straight for Pikachu who continued to trot forwards. Ash leaned forwards on the barrier still not saying a word as he watched the bull get closer. When he was a few yards away Pikachu pirouetted and the attack missed by just centimetres but Ash noticed something which would help immensely here. As Tauros circled around and ran back at Pikachu he did the same thing and it happened again.
"Pi, he's coming back for a third run. Get ready."
Bethany looked on growing frustrated that her Pokémon still hadn't hit Pikachu yet but saw an opportunity when she saw Pikachu dodged to the left both times. "Tauros, keep it up. I want to check something."
Tauros bellowed as he ran straight for Pikachu and Bethany saw Pikachu again dodge to the left. Perfect she thought "Tauros one more time."
Tauros stopped after turning back around, panting harshly as he had run around the field quite a few times now at full speed and still hadn't hit his opponent. He hoped his trainer had an idea because he felt he could run all day and not hit the agile little mouse. Taking a deep breath he snorted, stamped his feet and charged again towards Pikachu. Bethany watched as her bull got closer and could see Pikachu prepare to move again "Now Tauros, veer left!"
Tauros heard his trainer and with a few feet to go quickly swerved to where he hoped his opponent would be.
"Now Pi, Quick Attack and Iron Tail his feet!"
Pikachu gripped the ground with his feet and in the blink of an eye and a flash of grey he collided with Tauros' front feet while they were getting ready to be put onto the ground mid run and he slid forwards onto his face sliding forty feet and groaned as he came to a halt.
"Thunder" he vaguely heard someone say and then screamed in pain as thousands of volts of electricity coursed through his body.
"Tauros!" Bethany shouted concerned as she saw the tables turn from what she felt was a winning position to one where Tauros was a sitting duck. She saw Pikachu stop the attack and walk back to Ash's side and wait for Tauros to either get up or pass out. "How did that Thunder do so much damage?"
"Really?" Ash asked, arching his eyebrow at her "Your Pokémons Wild Charge powered Pikachu up as the sparks from it attracted to him due to him having Lightningrod as an ability."
"How did I not know of his ability?" Bethany asked herself quietly but it was picked up on her microphone
"Because you didn't research your opponent" Ash said "that's what happens when you arrogantly believe you can win no matter what's put in front of you. Pikachu's ability is extremely well documented given we use it a lot in important matches."
"I did research you, and we're going to win" she said before looking at the field and seeing to her astonishment that Tauros had began to tentatively try and get to his feet, collapsing a few times before he finally stood up and shook himself.
"I see what you did there" Ash said chuckling, "distracted us so he had a chance to heal."
"Brilliant Tauros" she said, relieved that her bull hadn't been taken out so quickly before looking up at Ash who looked very unconcerned. "Tauros, Earthquake. But move in while you do it."
"Pi, ride it out. This will be done and dusted in a minute." Ash said, getting a nod from his starter.
"Don't count us out just yet" Bethany said sounding irritated "Go Tauros!"
Tauros bellowed again before charging forwards.
"Pi, wait until it's a few feet from you, then use Aura Ball" Ash said.
"Aura Ball?" Bethany asked aloud wondering what Ash meant. As Tauros drew closer though she saw Pikachu set himself upright, presenting a perfect target before his hands started glowing, one yellow and one blue before he clasped them together creating an glowing blue electric sphere and sending it forwards. Tauros, who was in the middle of charging forwards, took the hit head on, stopping the Earthquake dead and was sent flying backwards in a cloud of dust kicked up from the ground.
"Tauros is unable to battle, Miss Monroe please send out your second Pokémon." the referee shouted.
"What the hell was that?" Bethany shouted before looking at the referee "is that even a legal move?"
"I'm not sure" the referee said looking confused "but I can't disqualify him just because he used an unknown move. Mr Ketchum, what was that move?"
"Aura Ball" Ash said simply.
"Yes, we heard what it was called but what is it?" Bethany asked, irritated.
"It's a combination move infusing Thunderpunch and Aura Sphere" Ash said.
"Pikachu cannot learn Aura Sphere" she interrupted him "That's clearly a disqualification. And isn't that using more than four moves?"
"Maybe yours can't," Ash said, shaking his head at her desperation, "My Pikachu on the other hand has been able to use aura since our first month of training together. Ref, if I ask Pikachu to show off Aura Sphere will it be counted as a fifth move?"
"No," the referee said, shaking her head "we're not currently in a battle and as it's for presentation purposes I will allow it…" She cut off as Pikachu sent one flying at Ash who held up his hand and caught it "well that's an Aura Sphere alright. And no, combination moves that make up the actual move commanded do not count as separate moves. Miss Monroe, please send out your second Pokémon"
"Dunsparce, battle dance" she said releasing a very strange worm pink Pokémon.
"A shiny?" Ash asked, "nice."
"Yeah" Bethany said "It took me a while to find him but when I did it was so worth it."
"Pikachu vs Dunsparce, begin" the referee shouted.
"Dig" Bethany said, making Ash shake his head.
"Predictable," Ash said "Pi, go to the hole it made and wait there."
"What is he doing?" Zoe asked Nia and Gary as they watched Ash in his match at her home.
"Dig is incredibly easy to counter," Gary said, shaking his head at the TV, "so many people lose sight of what the move does and they stop thinking logically."
"How so?" Zoe asked, looking confused.
"Dig is a move that creates a hole in the ground and the Pokémon uses the force to push out in another section" Nia said "It's incredibly accurate because the Pokémon underground can hear every minute movement up top so the location of their opponent is always known to them. Not only does it hurt physically when they pop out but the ground also hurts their opponent when they are sent flying away so it does a kind of splash damage. That's the positives. However it's incredibly easy to counter if you just have your Pokémon wait by the hole it originally created because the Pokémon underground cannot create a hole directly at the side of the original one, not even Diglett and Dugtrio can create one. There has to always be at least a few feet of distance as the walls underground may cave in and trap said Pokémon. The only way to counter that is to create multiple holes to be able to pop out but even then the same issue happens."
"The structural integrity of the ground is vital for the move to work" Gary said, taking over "anything that undermines that creates a scenario where it's more dangerous for the Pokémon digging than it is for the one they're attacking and given she's already had her Tauros use Earthquake I would hesitate to use the move Dig even more as it's not solid down there anymore. A competent trainer would choose one or the other in battle, not both unless it's Dig first but once Earthquake is used that's it, Dig is unusable afterwards."
"She's lucky Ash hasn't switched out and used his own Earthquake" Nia said "from someone who has placed highly in the last two leagues and looked so confident before the match she's making a lot of errors."
"Can you believe she said the trainers in Kanto are crap?" Gary asked, shaking his head.
"You've already asked us that four times," Zoe said laughing.
"I know," he replied "but still, it's an outrage that a trainer who has never been to Kanto can have such a view. I would never make a comment like that about the regions I've not visited yet."
"Well that's one way of drawing out your opponent" Nia said as she saw Pikachu send a Thunder down the hole as he got tired of waiting.
"Shouldn't that move be impossible given it's the ground?" Zoe asked.
"No," Gary said, "again it all comes down to the hole. It will lose potency, sure but it's a tunnel for all intents and purposes which means anything can travel down it safely. Electricity is very different from other elemental moves in that it doesn't spread out like fire and water do, it travels straight and true so yes it will hit the curve of the tunnel but it will still travel and end up at its destination. In this situation I would have my water type flood the hole, preventing its use."
"Same here" Nia said "like we said Dig has very few positives and quite a lot of negatives."
"So why is she carrying on with that strategy" Zoe asked seeing her command Dunsparce to dig everywhere.
"She must be trying to create enough tunnels so that Dunsparce has a chance of being near Pikachu when he surfaces" Nia said "at the minute the holes are too far apart for Dunsparce to get close to attack but the more tunnels you create the easier it becomes to hit and run. However Dunsparce are limited because all they can really do is Dig, they have to rotate their tail to move at all."
"Oh that was wise by Ash" Gary said seeing Ash recall Pikachu and send out Lapras.
"Lapras, flood the field with Surf. Make those tunnels unusable." Ash said to Bethany's horror. Her entire strategy relied on being able to get close to Pikachu without taking too many hits and given Lapras could just flood them it left her very frustrated.
"Good job Lapras. Now Blizzard and coat the field."
Dunsparce had nowhere to hide from the move and could only curl up into a ball as the potent ice love swept across the field covering the entire area with a thick layer of snow and ice. Eventually the move ended and a head popped up from underneath the near two foot layer of snow and Dunsparce flopped down looking exhausted.
"Lapras return, Pi you're back up" Ash said recalling his pliosaur Pokémon and his starter jumping back onto the field.
"What's that about?" Zoe asked.
"It's a genius strategy" Gary said laughing. "Not only is the field covered in snow but the tunnels that were once flooded are now frozen solid. The ground is unusable for any Pokémon to Dig into. And given Dunsparce can't really move anywhere without digging it's a battle he has no chance of winning."
"Again, Ash has outthought her." Nia said "he seems to be a step ahead of her at every turn."
"Dunsparce return" Bethany said, gritting her teeth and shaking her head. Looking at Ash made her blood boil, she had never come across an opponent like him and she was starting to get irritated at him countering her. It was usually the other way around. "Ursaring, let's go. Use Bulk Up and rush Pikachu. Use Hammer Arm." Ursaring glowed a deep red colour before running forwards but was heavily hampered by the snow.
"Reckless" Gary said, shaking his head, "but it may be her only hope at this point. Lapras has so far used two coverage moves and Pikachu has not took a hit yet."
"She's lost this one" Nia said also shaking her head "Ash has the perfect counter for all three of her Pokémon so far. The snow is preventing Ursaring from moving properly, Pikachu could take him out anytime he wants to here unless she melts that snow..."
"Pi keep dodging" Ash said his Pokémon dipped and dived in between the various attacks with ease due to being light in the snow.
"Is that all you can do?" Pikachu asked Ursaring as he ducked beneath another arm "That's pretty pathetic really, are you sure you're a Pokémon? How are you so slow? "
Ash tried to stop himself from laughing but failed when Pikachu said the last thing.
"What's funny?" Bethany asked with a tic over her eye.
"Nothing" Ash said "Pi, Quick Attack, chip away at it."
What followed was quite brutal to those watching as the crowd and the people at home watching on TV could see what a mismatch it was as Pikachu got hit after hit on Ursaring who was knackered after trying to run through the snow and then missing with every swing.
"How is your Pikachu so fast?" Bethany asked, seeing Ursaring do nothing.
"He's agile anyway," Ash said "But there was no way your Pokémon would be able to hit him. He trains every day with a Machamp who has four arms and can launch a thousand punches in seconds, your Ursaring is glacial by comparison."
"Return Ursaring" she said, seeing he was getting nowhere and tiring himself out. "I need to get rid of that snow" she muttered looking at her sixth Pokéball on its plinth "you would have been perfect but I can't use you. Togekiss, let's go!"
"And Togekiss is revealed to be Bethany's fourth Pokémon" the announcer shouted, sounding excited.
"Togekiss, we need to get rid of the snow. Use Extrasensory. Dump it all over Pikachu." Bethany said.
"There we go" Ash said nodding "we may get a challenge here Pi, Quick Attack and get in close."
Togekiss from up on high shined purple and let loose a yell as the snow started to float and was sent in the direction of Pikachu at great speed. Pikachu sent a volley of Thunders at the snow trying to create a weak point and managed to just about punch a small hole in it before he was swamped by the avalanche.
"Great show Togekiss" she said "now, pepper him with Air Slashes."
Togekiss twirled in the air and sent vicious scythes into where Pikachu was last seen sending arcs of snow up into the air as it was displaced. This went on for thirty seconds before Togekiss stopped and waited to see if it was over. She looked over to Ash to see him looking up at Togekiss with an interested expression.
"Aura Ball" he said much to her surprise. The snow started shaking from an area around ten feet away from where the slashes had impacted it. Ash had watched with interest as Pikachu used his own initiative and cancelled the Quick Attack and began to spam electric bolts to try and save himself before he was covered in snow and was pleased to find Pikachu had the awareness to move away from where he was last seen by a few feet. When the slashes impacted the snow he remained under the snow focusing on where his opponent was waiting for the right time to attack. So when Ash said the command he knew it was the right time and he focused and sent the attack upwards, snow exploding everywhere as the Aura Ball honed in on his opponent who frantically twirled in the air just about avoiding it.
"How?" Bethany asked, shaking her head as Pikachu emerged from the snow, looking no worse for wear as he shook snow off his fur.
"Again, you haven't done your research have you?" Ash said shaking his head "I have at least four Pokémon that can use the move Blizzard. Not only that but we trained for months at a time in Mt Silver in sub zero conditions for these kinds of occasions. Pikachu battled Articuno in the Orange Islands and battered her so while he felt that attack it wasn't nearly as strong as an actual one from a Pokémon. Anyway, Pi return, Lapras you're back up"
Releasing his dinosaur Pokémon she landed on the snow pile and flapped her flipped happily crying her name. "Oh this is nice" she said looking at Ash. "Are we winning?"
"Yes. She's shown four of her Pokémon, Pikachu has beaten one, you've severely injured another and Pikachu tired out her third." Ash said. "Togekiss is her fourth."
"Ok," she said happily, looking at Togekiss with laser focus.
Looking around she saw that the majority of the snow had melted and the holes had started thawing but it wasn't enough to be able to send Dunsparce back out so she wouldn't be able to beat that one yet.
"Togekiss return, Ursaring you're up." Bethany said, sending out her bear Pokémon. He looked slightly better than before after being tired out by the snow and Pikachu so for his party to now be clear meant he could run at full speed now unhampered.
"Ursaring, Bulk Up and Hammer Arm, she's rooted to where she is on the snow" Bethany shouted as her bear glowed red and shouted to the skies as he charged forwards.
"Lapras, he seems to want to get close to you. You know what to do here." Ash said.
"Oh dear" Lorelei said watching it from his chalet with her husband and children "so many people underestimate the speed of a Lapras."
"Likely because she's probably not come across one yet." Bruno said, chuckling as he saw the Ursaring cover himself with his arms as he was hit with another Blizzard halting his progress forwards. "Ash has won this one, barring an incredible comeback."
"He's using substitutions perfectly isn't he?" Hailee said as she watched entranced from the floor.
"He's certainly not messing around" Lorelei said as she saw the Ursaring hammer the ground creating a huge tremor as water started to pour out of the holes again "it seems he's unfrozen the tunnels though."
"Yeah but it will be pretty reckless to use them again" Bruno said as Lapras used another Blizzard freezing the water and creating another foot of snow much to Bethanys annoyance.
"Dammit" Bethany said recalling Ursaring again wondering what to do. Ash on the other hand was perfectly calm knowing he had control of the fight at the minute as four of her Pokémon were on the board, two for him but while his was very healthy hers were in a bad way. "Togekiss you're back in. Sunny Day, we need to melt that ice." From her lofty height Togekiss sent an orange ball into the sky which rippled across the clouds, sending them away and intensifying the sun's rays.
"Good move" Ash said nodding "it won't help you much though. Interrupt it with Thunderbolt."
"Shock Wave" Bethany said feeling the battle was finally going to swing her way as the snow and Ice began to melt. The two electric attacks collided in the air and it brought back a memory for Ash who smiled as he saw Togekiss twirling to maintain her electric current.
"Lapras, remember Trovita Gym?" Ash asked. Lapras was focusing on maintaining her own electric current when her mind flashed back to the battle with Rudy and how she had won that one. Focusing she looked at Togekiss and took a deep breath and used Blizzard which was sent at a quick pace up towards the sky. The crowd in the stadium, those at home and Bethany could only look on in astonishment as Lapras kept up the electric current with her horn and smothered Togekiss in ice from her mouth.
"What the hell?" Bethany exclaimed as her fairy type took heavy damage and had to cancel her move, quickly falling out of the sky before just righting herself. Shaking the snow from her she looked up and cried out in alarm as she just moved out of the way of another Thunderbolt and then another.
"Herd her" Ash shouted, "then finish it."
Bethany could only look on, still in shock from seeing the dual move used as her Pokémon panicked, shouting her name as she dodged the electric attacks before she twirled the wrong way and hit the high wall near Ash's podium. She had no chance to avoid another Thunderbolt which was quickly followed by a Blizzard encasing her in ice.
"Togekiss is unable to battle, Miss Monroe please send out your third Pokémon." the referee shouted as Togekiss' icon blacked out.
"Did you know Lapras could do that?" Bruno asked his wife.
"Yes but mine has issues doing it" Lorelei said "several of his moves come from his horn while others come from his mouth so they can be used together. It's just a concentration issue."
"Dunsparce, you're up" she said, coming up with an idea as he landed on the snow which had turned into snow as the Sunny Day was still in effect. Her Pokémon though looked absolutely done in from the battle he had already been in and knew he wouldn't last long but hopefully she could set up her fourth Pokémon with it.
"Ok Lapras return" Ash said as he released Machamp and a third icon appeared on Ash's side of the screen.
"Machamp vs Dunsparce, begin." The Referee shouted waving his flags.
"Endeavour" she shouted, smirking.
"Not this time, Protect" Ash said, shaking his head as the spectral Dunsparce passed across the blue shield but did no damage to him.
"Dammit," she said, cursing.
"Earthquake" Ash said as his Superpower Pokémon slammed his arms into the ground sending bits of the ground flying and creating a wave of water which rushed over Dunsparce.
"Dunsparce is unable to battle, Bethany is now down three Pokémon so we will have a thirty minute break. Ash and Bethany, a Nurse Joy will arrive at your rooms to check your Pokémon are still in the same condition they are in now. Other than natural rest they cannot be healed. You will both leave your sixth Pokémon on the plinth, they will be guarded until you return. Is this clear?"
"Crystal" Ash said, nodding as he made his way down the steps and walked down a tunnel that was just in an alcove and into a small room that had a table with a bowl of fruit, some bottles of water and a TV that was on showing his match. Watching the highlights he nodded, he had not put a foot wrong so far and was giving a strong performance. His phone ringing brought him out of watching highlights.
"Hi Ni, everything Ok?" he asked her.
"Yeah, I'm just at Zoe's with Gary watching your match. Everything seems to be going well doesn't it." Nia said.
"It is" he replied "I'm just watching the highlights on the TV in the room and I've done ok."
"Listen, what did she say about trainers in Kanto?" she asked "we were curious as it seems to have spurred you on. I'll put you on speaker so the others can hear."
"Essentially that I won the Championship because there are very few trainers in Kanto that are any good," Ash said "She didn't actually say that but she implied heavily during a conversation I was having with her, Olivia and Harrison. I can get being confident in who you are as a trainer, but blatantly insulting your opponent and their achievement isn't something I'll put up with."
"So you decided to put her in her place?" Gary asked.
"Actually Pikachu did" Ash replied, surprising them "when he heard what he felt was an insult he asked to be put in first. Evidently he's not playing around either."
"She's made a lot of mistakes," Gary said.
"Yeah" Ash replied nodding "you'd think using Dunsparce she'd know the downsides of spamming Dig."
"We said that too" Gary said "but, it's her loss."
"It is" Ash said "oooh dads ringing me, I'll speak to you after the battle."
Hanging up he answered his phone "Hi dad, everything ok?"
"Yeah" Red said as his face appeared "what's going on?"
"Er, well I'm just in my battle at the minute" Ash said laughing.
"I know that you tool" Red said laughing as well, "how did she get to the semi-final when she's made so many mistakes."
"Hey listen, I've just been on the phone to Nia and Gary and we wondered the same thing" Ash said "maybe it's nerves, maybe she thought she had this one in the bag but I'm not exactly crap at what I do."
"Yeah, what was that crack about Kanto trainers?" Red asked.
"No idea" Ash said "she just said I obviously haven't fought anyone decent in Kanto to reach where I have. Pikachu took it personally and asked to be put in first and we've battered her. I'll be honest dad if I lose a single Pokémon to her I'll be disappointed. I have an idea for when she reaches her fifth Pokémon but I'm wondering if it'll be too harsh on her."
"Go on" Red said as Ash laid his plan out "do it. Show no mercy to her and make a statement. Anyway It's nearly time for you to go back out so I'll leave you to it. Meditate, focus and get the job finished."
"Will do" Ash said nodding "give mum my love. I'll ring her tonight, I have some news for her and you."
"By Ash" Red said before hanging up.
Hearing the bell he stood up and waited as Nurse Joy walked in.
"Only Pikachu took any hits so far" Ash said to her as she put down her bag and said hello "and he doesn't ever use his Pokéball so I've not had the capacity to apply any potions to him."
"I'm aware of your Pikachus' aversion to his Pokéball so it would be very evident if you had but I still need to scan the two Pokémon you've used." She replied.
Handing them over Ash watched as Nurse Joy brought a small machine out of her bag that had a small glass box attached to it. She placed the first ball into the glass box and it lit up before she did the same thing with the second one.
"Yeah they're all fine. They're still at very near full health so you're good to go once I've given Pikachu a check over."
"Yeah no problem" Ash said, taking the balls back and reattaching them as Joy walked over to Pikachu who was sitting on the couch arm eating a cherry. Taking out another machine she ran it up and down over Pikachu before jotting down something on her hand. "He has a slight bit of frostbite, but that's normal after being covered in snow but his electrical sacks are very low on electricity, other than that he's good to go. Thank you Mr Ketchum, you can go back to the field now."
"Brilliant" Ash said as Pikachu hopped into his shoulder "I suspect it's because he's used a lot of Thunder attacks and is a bit drained. Thanks for your help."
Opening the door for Nurse Joy he followed her out and waited at the entrance of the tunnel ready to finish this.