Chapter 53
The next few months passed by fairly quickly for Ash as the busyness of November disappeared into the strange calmness of December. Christmas came and went by in a flash with nothing of note really happening. Ash was of course told off for spiking his family but he really didn't care as it was the first Christmas he was able to spend with his whole family, he didn't count the previous year as his dad was still recovering and barely able to move but this year everyone was able to enjoy it fully.
His mum and dad had moved back into their own home at the beginning of January as Delia hadn't felt comfortable leaving the safety of Ash's ranch but Red had put his foot down, he wanted the comfort of his home so Delia had reluctantly agreed but was secretly happy that Red had taken charge as she felt a peace settle in her the moment she stepped into her own house that she had lived in for over twenty years. She found it strange that Ash hadn't kicked up a fuss but she attributed it to possibly Red having a chat with him. He hadn't but Red and Ash were more than happy to let her believe that. In fact Red had said outright they were moving back to Pallet Town while they were both sorting out Typhlosions grave and Ash just nodded, with that being the end of it and they carried on with their walk around his lake and that was the end of that discussion.
Ash had been in regular contact over the last month with Cynthia and Lance, hoping to try and mend the relationship he had with them as when he had a conversation with Blue after the big meeting Blue had not wasted any time in telling him he was in the wrong with a few things he had said. Ash had taken notes and taken everything on boards and had agreed with Blues assessment, especially with the argumentative way he had been with Cynthia, challenging her authority the way he did so he had quickly arranged another call, much to her confusion to apologise to her, somewhat face-to-face. Cynthia had listened to him and the reason why he was the way he was and agreed that they should move on, but she appreciated the time he took to call and apologise.
"You have a real issue with authority Ash" Cynthia had said "not everyone will be as amenable as I am, something which I am trying to change to be a lot tougher. I appreciate where you're coming from and I agree that you have an important role to play but I am Pokémon Master Ash, not you. My role is a huge burden, one had I known the details about I would have likely hesitated to achieve but it is my role all the same. You and every other Champion answer to me, something which you need to get used to. Now, as I stated in the meeting Kanto is a big worry for me at the minute but not as big a worry as Hoenn because Blue is still at the helm and he and Koga are very efficient. You however have a lot to learn still, but in four years when you take over you will be expected to hold yourself and Kanto to the highest of standards and to continue the legacy Blue has laid the groundwork for."
"I'm aware" Ash said "I'm still learning but I will be ready when the time comes. It's also why I apologised as I know we will have to work closely together over the next twenty to thirty years or so and I don't want either of us dreading seeing each other. When does the Sinnoh Tournament start?"
"Monday" Cynthia said, accepting the reason and being willing to move on.
"I'll be watching it," Ash said, "Is there anyone I should look out for?"
The conversation carried on for a few minutes before Ash hung up, sighing as he did so knowing it was important to stay on good terms with Cynthia.
Christmas passed by fairly quickly with the Ketchums having a fantastic time, relaxing as much as they could and just loving being with each other. He had visited the Oaks a few days later to give them their presents and was sitting on the counters stool when Sam ambled up to him.
"Ash, why haven't you spoken to Claire yet?" he asked, looking disappointed.
"Claire?" Ash asked, confused.
"Claire Kanna Ash," Sam said, shaking his head "you know, the new Kanto regional professor."
"Oh" Ash said, realising who he was on about. "I mean, I have been in contact with her but you are right, I should meet her face to face. I'll drop by once I'm done here."
"Good" Sam said looking happier "she thought she'd done something to offend you and was worried."
"She hasn't said anything" Ash said "but you are right, I should have seen her face to face by now. How is she? What's she like?"
"Very different from her cousin" Sam said sitting down next to him "very energetic, very happy and just loves Pokémon."
"I can't imagine anyone from Loreleis family being so chirpy" Ash said laughing before looking at Sam "How are you doing?"
"I'm a lot better, thank you" Sam said indeed looking better than he did in October. "I think it was just a virus but thankfully I'm much better now. I saw that you're planning on reopening the badge challenge in January, is that wise?"
"Unfortunately it's not a decision Blue or I could contest" Ash said nodding at his mentor who was sitting on the couch holding his new granddaughter. Daisy had had her child a few days ago, two weeks premature but thankfully Scarlet was in perfect health. "The Kanto Board have seemingly decided that we have had plenty of time to get over the death of twenty of its most promising trainers and have made the decision themselves. Giovanni was nice enough to tell me himself, funnily enough it's the first interaction I've had with him since I killed Silver. He's been very quiet for the last six weeks, and I don't know what to feel about it if I'm honest."
"He lost a child" Sam said nodding sagely "and you never get over that, no matter how little contact you had with them. I suspect his girlfriend has been inconsolable too, she was Silver's mother after all."
"I sent them a card," Ash said grimacing, "mum told me to do it and I hated writing every word but I didn't hear anything back. I knew I wouldn't, I can't imagine I'd be very happy speaking to the person who killed my child or accepting an apology that I knew meant nothing but as mum said they are technically family and Giovanni deserved to know what happened to his son and how he came to be buried on my land."
"About that," Sam said quietly, reaching into his pants pocket and pulling out a small envelope, looking around to make sure no one was watching before clasping Ash's hand, placing it in his hand. "I received this note from an acquaintance of mine that you needed to see. Don't mention this to anyone Ash."
Nodding Ash placed it in his pocket before looking over at Scarlet. "Why Scarlet?" he asked.
"Why not?" Daisy asked brightly, hearing his question and smiling at Ash.
"Well that's me told" Ash said laughing before turning to Gary who was trying and failing to not look interested in his niece. "When do you go to Sayda?"
"January 5th" Gary said "it was meant to be the day after the New Year begins but apparently I'm required at the Plateau."
"Ah right" Ash said nodding, knowing exactly why Gary was required but not letting him know "That makes sense, I'm there too for the inauguration of Professor Layton as the head of the Regional Professors."
"It's been strange to not have to go to those tedious things" Sam said laughing "this will be my last one as I officially hand over the reins to him and finish my work as a Professor."
"Well not quite" Ash said "you're still a professor at my ranch but it's going to be strange not seeing you tagged in any emails. You're coming back right?"
"Of course I am" Sam said nodding "my work is nowhere near done there. And with the additions of the new Lapras calves it's going to be an exciting time."
"Ash" Gary said, opening his present which was a card with a piece of paper attached to it "what's this?"
"Ah" Ash said seeing he had gained everyone's attention "As some of you may be aware, Ketchum Ranch has recently signed a contract for a consignment of Fossil Pokémon to be delivered in February to add to the Unovan contingent. My Kabutops recently mated with one of theirs so there's currently no Kabuto or Kabutops on my ranch as she ate him, however this contract will replace those that left."
"So what does this have to do with me?" Gary said not opening the piece of paper.
"Ah well that contract is with the Sayda Research Facility" Ash said getting a curious look from Blue and Sam "and the contract I signed had a little caveat in it. I know how much my mum missed me when I was travelling, and I know how much Aunt Laura missed you so we agreed that anytime the researchers from Sayda visited my ranch, you had the option of coming with them."
"So he won't be gone for two years?" Laura asked immediately, looking at her son before looking at Ash.
"If he doesn't want to come he doesn't have to but the head researcher has agreed that as long as he does what they tell him to do, and if he progresses the way he should then he can come with them to my ranch" Ash said nodding "my Ranch is the shiny new toy that a lot of people have been fighting to be associated with in Kanto and Johto but I didn't even consider anyone other than Sayda. Jess Pool as the Kanto representative and Joseph Stone as the Chairman of the Archaeological Board have signed off on it too. Now, you will not be able to visit for the first six months. I couldn't swing that; however should you progress the way Jess believes you will, you'll have the option then."
"Jess said that?" Gary asked, surprised.
"Yes" Ash said nodding "she read your research notes when we were at the Johto League and was highly impressed with the detail and research you had put in already in preparation for Sayda. She spoke to Sharon Bachelor who also gave you a glowing recommendation too and Jess advocated for you to the Dean of Sayda so they had no issues in agreeing to my request. So yeah, it's now down to you."
"That's…remarkable" Sam said standing up and walking over to Gary who looked up at his grandfather curiously "Sayda has never, to my recollection, agreed to such a thing in the past. You must have really impressed them Gary, I'm proud of you."
"As am I" Blue said, smiling at his son.
"You've come a long way in three years squirt" Daisy said, smiling at her brother.
Laura though had given up any pretence and had quickly rushed over to hug her son who looked alarmed and surprised when he felt her shaking in his arms. Ash felt a bit uncomfortable and said his goodbyes before leaving, calling in at Professor Kannas ranch.
Opening the door she was incredibly surprised to see her Champion standing at the door. "Yes?"
Ash got his first proper look at Claire Kanna. She was about five foot four, a very petite frame with the iconic Kanna scarlet eyes and red hair.
"Hello, I'm Ash Ketchum," he said, smiling at her.
"I know" she said nodding before rushing in saying "I mean how could I not know? You're famous, you're the Champion and a war hero after all."
Ash immediately knew what Sam meant by how energetic she was. Laughing at how exuberant she was he saw her face fall. "Oh I'm not laughing at you" he said quickly "Sam told me I hadn't actually spoken to you face to face so I came to do that."
"Oh" she said smiling happily "Well you've been rather busy so don't worry about it."
"Well I am" Ash said "so, I came in person to invite you to my home. I don't know if you already knew but every regional professor has an open invitation to my home, as long as you send me a message beforehand but you're welcome to come and go whenever you like."
"Oh" she said "no I didn't know that but thank you. I'm a bit busy at the moment though so can we schedule for next week?"
"Of course," Ash said, nodding "just not the 4th as we're at Indigo Plateau."
"The 3rd then?" she asked.
"Certainly," Ash said, nodding and bowing briefly before saying goodbye to her.
Friday January 4th 2002
The New Year passed by with very little fuss, the only thing of note was Ash starting driving lessons and soon it was time to head to Indigo Plateau. His researchers had arrived back on site on Monday where he had wasted no time in letting them know about the new rules that had been put in place by Ash, Hatori of Silph and Dr Attenborough of the AONB. David had been absolutely furious to find out that it was people who worked for him that had been the ones to cause the loss of two months worth of research and had worked with Ash and Hatori to put some new rules in place that they all agreed with. There was a bit of grumbling about the new heightened security measures but Ash didn't care as if he needed to he would ban them altogether, something which was quickly put across when he finished the rule changes.
"Do not test me on this" Ash said "the areas that are off limits are off limits, no excuses as you've all been told. You're to stay in your areas at all times unless approved by your Team Leader who needs express permission themselves from Ralph, Dr Attenborough or Victoria Hardy who then need to inform me. This is non-negotiable as the preservation, happiness and welfare of the Pokémon here are my first priority."
"You certainly have a way with words" Ralph said as he watched his workers amble off to their facilities.
"I never wanted it to come to this" Ash said to Ralph, clapping him on the shoulder "but while the ones who threatened to poach are no longer here they could still have made friends with those that returned so they needed warning. Anyway, it's good to see you again Ken, how's Francis doing?"
The visit from Claire went very well too, she spent the most of it with her mouth open as she listened to Ash and Matilda walk them through what the daily routine was on his ranch.
"I really need to come up with a proper name for this place" Ash said when he saw the sign for Ketchum Ranch as he met her at the gates.
"I dunno," she said, bouncing in exuberance as she shook his hand and followed him "everyone knows what it is and who owns it."
"Yeah true" he said amiably as he led her around the side of his home and onto the path that led to his garden, stopping in at Matildas to pick up some of the food she had stored for the Pokémon around the ranch. Matilda was already near the Bug Pokémon when they arrived to greet her and they spent a very enjoyable few hours chatting and meeting all the Pokémon on the land.
"This place is amazing" Claire said hours later when they were sitting around his dinner table eating "I don't want to leave."
"You're welcome anytime" Ash said smiling and agreeing with her assessment of his home and looking out of his bay windows where he could see his lake "It's a beautiful place."
"I can't believe I got to meet a baby Lapras" she said enthused "I would never in my life have thought that would happen. And to see the fossils Pokémon roaming around like they were millions of years ago, and the bug Pokémon getting the trees and gardens ready for spring, and your Gyarados with her new babies."
"Yeah that was a surprise," Ash said, laughing at the memory of him walking down to the lake a few weeks ago and seeing his Gyarados with a small school of Magikarp sticking by her side. "I never expected that to happen as she's always been a solitary Pokémon but I blame Lapras and Kabutops for that. I think seeing Lapras with her Chinchou and Kabutops readying her nest for her clutch over the last few months has made her maternal instincts come to the fore. I suspect the incident at the Lake of Rage also had an impact on her too but she seems to be doing well."
"Did you notice that three of her school had the shiny gene?" Matilda asked. "We need to make sure they're protected as more and more shiny or Royals are being born here Ash so it becomes more important by the day to ensure the safety of the area."
"I've been thinking about putting up huge, electrified cement walls around the entire Ranch" Ash said, nodding "It'll cost an absolute fortune, but I think it's going to be a necessity for some areas. The Lapras' area alone should help me push that through with the planning permission board but I'm reluctant to destroy the outer parts of the forest surrounding here just to do that. Plus the cost of maintaining the fences after they're installed, it's looking into the seven or eight million Pokédollars range before a pillar has even been cemented into place."
"Oof" Matilda said, shaking her head at the cost "that's an awful lot of money."
"Money I don't have at the minute" Ash said "I may have to get it done in sections, the more important bits first before moving onto the less important parts. I just don't want to destroy the idea of it being a free roaming place like Laramie Ranch is, that was the source of much of the inspiration of this place, that people and Pokémon could come and go as long as they respected that catching or harming the inhabitants were off limits."
"Ash" Matilda said "that idea changed the moment you had the labs installed. It became a research facility, not a public place. There've been a lot of questions asked to my cousins about how they can see the wild Pokémon but as you've cut off the area no one else can visit."
"That's because it's my home" Ash said "I don't want the public here, messing up the area and causing issues with the Pokémon that live here. It's a protected area for a reason. But, maybe I can speak to Silph and the AONB people about organising visits here every few months for the public. It could be a way of funding the fences."
"You'd charge the public?" Claire asked.
"I may have to" Ash said grimacing "I don't have an endless supply of money and one day I will stop being a trainer and still need to finance this place without having to sell areas to Silph or the AONB. That was why I bought it in the first place, to stop their interference but this place is costly to run and getting more and more costly by the day."
"That $1.5m you gave to Johto could have come in handy eh?" Matilda said, making Claire gape at the statement.
"Very much so" Ash said nodding "I'll be getting a lot of that back soon though as I have a few endorsement deals in the pipeworks, the Poképal is out in June and I get a stipend for being Champion but yeah, I could have used that money for here. I'm lucky I have great financial people who limit what I spend."
"You're not wrong," Matilda said, chuckling "so what's happening tomorrow?"
"Ah," Ash said, smiling.
The next day Ash received a thank you email from the recipient of his second parcel that he had sent weeks ago. He had sent his shirt from the final of the Johto League to the referee Alyssa Hargrave, framed and signed thanking her for being calm under pressure and congratulating her on her first final. He had wanted to do it the day of the final after he had won, but given the issues they had had with Silver he had forgotten but the day he woke up with Nia he remembered about his plan to get the shirt signed. Unfortunately he couldn't get it signed by Harrison, as was his first plan because of Silver's actions so he sent it to her anyway. Seeing Brian's shop had also made his mind up about where to send the second shirt, he would never wear them again so others may as well have them.
Later that day he drove with his father to Indigo Plateau, with his dad giving him instructions on driving safely. They made the two hour journey in just under three which was good going for someone who was still learning according to his dad. Parking in the Champions spot next he led his dad up to the office where they sat and talked on the couches. Soon they were joined by Koga, his wife and Janine, Blue and his family and nearer to 3pm his other Elite Four member Laura walked in with Katie and the talk stopped briefly before Blue greeted her, the talk starting back up.
It wasn't long before they all walked back down the corridor and down the elevator before they headed to the main stadium. The entire field was covered in chairs and many people were already sitting, greeting others who were also invited. Ash took a seat on the fourth row with Red, while Sam and Blue sat on the front row along with the rest of the Oaks. There was a stage with a few seats on them along with a huge plinth which was covered by a massive white sheet. Seated on the stage Ash saw Dr Attenborough, Cynthia Shirona, Lance Wataru, a man in a grey suit, in his early forties wearing a top hat, Charles Goodshow and Giovanni.
"Hello," Giovanni said from the podium. "Today is both a sad day and a happy one as we celebrate the retirement of one of the greatest, if not the greatest Pokémon professor the world has ever seen. Samuel Oak's achievements are too long to list but I will name a few of them. He became a trainer at age 13, competing in his first league a year later and making the top 32. A few years later he again competed in the Indigo league coming runner up but at age 26 he achieved greatness by not only winning the Kanto League but beating the Elite Four and becoming one of the youngest Champions before to the shock of everyone, myself included abdicating the role just six months later. He would the year afterwards take over as Regional Professor of the Kanto League where he would create quite possibly the biggest and most important invention the Pokémon world has ever seen. The creation of the Pokédex has revolutionised the way a trainer goes about their daily lives and the information Sam categorised in said device was incredible and he is rightfully lauded. If you speak to Sam though he won't mention the Pokédex as his greatest achievement, no, that goes to him raising Blue Oak with his wife Martha who is greatly missed by all.
Five years into his role as Regional Professor he would be invited to join the AONB board of governors, going on to chair said board before resigning from that role after fifteen years however he is still an honorary member to this day, listening to speeches and giving out advice for the people that come to him for advice, even supporting them with their applications should he believe in their projects that much.
So, we have a few guest speakers here today who are going to talk about Sam and what he means to them. Can you give a warm welcome to the stage Dr David Attenborough."
The audience cheered for the icon who walked sprightly up to the podium.
"For a man pushing 70 he's incredible" Ash muttered to his dad who nodded as they listened to David tell off stories of how he met and worked with Sam over the years. This continued for the next hour as the other people on the stage talked about him until Giovanni walked to the podium once more.
"So, before we hear from the man himself we, that's the Kanto League Board, along with the Champions Cynthia, Lance and Ash would like to present something in honour of possibly Kanto's greatest man. We racked our brains to find something suitable to commemorate the life and achievements of such a human being. Finally though we decided on two things. Firstly, Sam, could you come up here please."
Sam stood up and waved at the people applauding him and soon he was standing at Giovannis side.
"So for the first thing, did you notice anything different about the stadium when you arrived today?"
"No" Sam said looking around confused before he looked up at the area that had the Elite Four and VIP boxes and gasped.
"I think he's spotted it" Ash said laughing and standing up, applauding as those around him looked over to where Sam was as above the legend in five foot letters "THE SAMUEL OAK STAND". Soon the entire stadium was on their feet applauding.
Sam looked around bewildered at seeing his name in huge letters looking over the field where he had seen trainers compete for the last fifty two years. "Is that my name?" he asked, confused looking around which just endeared him all the more. Laura Oak, taking pity on him, stood up and gave him a hug as tears streamed down his face. It took a good ten minutes for the crowd to calm down before Sam said a quiet 'thank you' to the crowd before Giovanni came back to the podium.
"That was just the first one which was decided by your son, Cynthia and Myself." he said "the second surprise however was decided by Ash, myself and Charles Goodshow. As soon as you informed him you were retiring Ash rang us and asked us if we could do something for you so we came up with this." Standing back he nodded to three people with Pidgeottos, with ropes attached to their legs, that were attached to the sheet and as they rose they revealed a ten foot statue of Sam. He felt his legs go weak as he saw it and felt a chair pushed underneath him as he looked at the work of art, gobsmacked at the detail. It was fashioned in the same style as those in the Hall of Champions and depicted Sam looking like he did when he was the professor with his white lab coat on, standing with a pen in one hand, a book that looked like his poetry notebook in the other looking like he was reading to the three Kanto Starters who were looking up attentively at him.
Cautiously Sam stood up, assisted by Laura and walked slowly to the statue, marvelling at how much detail had gone into it.
"Who drew this?" he asked, looking around.
"I believe this is the work of your aide, Tracey," Charles said, smiling at his old friend.
"Oh how is he doing?" Sam asked "last I heard he was trekking through Kanto for the Pokémon Watchers guild."
"He's in the audience," Charles said, pointing to the audience.
"Oh it will be nice to catch up." Sam said as he touched the statue.
Ten minutes later Sam stood at the podium looking out at the sea of faces finally able to talk. "I really don't know what to say. I can honestly say that while I was expecting a goodbye I was certainly not expecting to see my name on that stand nor have a statue of me made. I was listening to the kind words by those up here and I couldn't help but feel sad that my late wife Martha is not here to celebrate this with us. Everything I did was because I had her support, without which I certainly would not be the man I am today. She was the guiding light through the years and I do wish she could be here with me, not just for me but to see our son Blue become Champion twice, our grandson follow in our footsteps of being a professor, our granddaughter follow her into botanical research and our new great-granddaughter who was born not long ago. She would have been tickled pink at seeing that statue because it says everything about who I am. I have lived and breathed Pokémon for over sixty years, and along with my family they kept me going through the rough times and trusted me enough to help me become Champion.
Very few people know why I gave up being Champion but my Pokémon understood my reasons and fully backed me, some even used the opportunity to go and have their own families but throughout it all the betterment of the Pokémon world has always been my second priority, my family being my first. It's been a strange feeling letting that go but it's been a wonderful thing to see Professor Kanna settle into the job, a role I held for over thirty years and to continue the noble work that I continued myself when I took over from my mentor Professor White. I sincerely hope you do well Claire, you have my number should you need anything.
As for my role with the AONB, that has been some of the most fulfilling work I have ever been part of. Preserving the habitats of wild Pokémon has always been something I am passionate about as without them the world would be an infinitely duller place to live in. The relationships I have made with the trainers over the last thirty years have made me so happy and I hope I have made theirs better along the way and I have no intention of giving that particular work up. To Ash, I want to say a big thank you for offering me the role of researcher at your home. I had plans to just stop and slowly disappear from public view and enjoy my retirement but you had other plans, offered me the role of assistant researcher and it was the right decision to make. I have absolutely loved seeing Ketchum Ranch blossom from what it was to what it now is in just three years and I hope it continues to flourish long after I am gone. To my family I want to say a big thank you for your love and support over the years. I couldn't have done this without you. And finally we come to the secondary reason I am here. Herschel, could you join me please?"
The man in the top hat and suit stood and walked over to him smiling at Sam.
"For those who don't know who this is, let me be the first to introduce you all to my successor as Head of the Regional Professors, Professor Layton. Please, give him a round of applause and welcome him into his new role. Herschel, I wish you the best of luck my old friend and should you need anything you know where I am."
The audience clapped politely as Professor Layton said a few words of thanks before he sat back down as Sam took the podium once more.
"There's not really much more I have to say if I'm honest. How do you put into words a lifetime's worth of work in just a few sentences? All I can say is this, thank you all for being on my journey with me, I hope yours are just as enjoyable as mine has been and continues to be."
Waving the audience stood as one and the applause was thunderous as Sam once again turned to face the statue, shaking his head in amazement at how great a likeness it was. He would normally be having words with Ash for this trickery but he adored that boy.
The next few hours were pleasantly enjoyable for Ash as he mingled with everyone, getting a telling off from Sam before he hugged him and thanked him for his thoughtfulness.
"It's going in the courtyard just outside the entrance to the building" Ash said "It'll be the first thing people see when they walk into this stadium to register for the Indigo League professor."
Ash walked away before there could be any counter to Ash's declaration and Sam knew Ash enough to know he wouldn't be changing his mind anytime soon. Ash was pleasantly surprised to find Nia had been able to attend and spent most of the mingling by her side. She seemed to instinctively know when he needed to be led away from a conversation that she knew he wasn't totally happy with and let him know what the issue was.
"It's like you're my bloody carer" he groused affectionately as they grabbed some food that had been laid on in the ballroom.
"I'm pretty sure that's how you described her to me" a voice said from behind. Turning they saw it was Laura with Katie who still winced every now and then.
"You're supposed to be on bedrest still" Ash said pointing at her with a pie before he chomped down on it.
"I've had enough bloody bedrest" Katie said "anyway I wanted to know if the meeting was still going ahead with Bill."
"It is," Ash said, nodding as he led them to a spare table, "I'll send you more details over the next few weeks. We've tentatively arranged it for Monday February 18th, I'm just waiting for confirmation on the venue but I'm trying to have it happen at your building."
"Oh" Katie said "what's the hold up then?"
"The AONB have their weeklong convention starting that week and they want to use Viridian City as their place of meeting" Ash said "it's a much more lucrative offer for the Kanto Board. I've been considering having our meeting at my home to be honest but the people attending would still need to book hotels in Viridian City. I'll get it sorted, hopefully by Sunday evening and I'll let you know."
"Do we have a discussion plan?" Katie asked.
"Yes," Ash said, nodding before getting an idea. Leaning over to Nia he whispered something in her ear, getting a nod before turning to Laura and Katie "I'll go and get it now. It's in my office. I'll be as quick as I can."
Katie and Laura looked a bit bewildered as Ash quickly left their table and rushed away.
"He could have just copied them to me," Katie said, confused.
"Oh he gets like this," Nia said, waving it away before changing the conversation. Ten minutes later Ash rejoined them and handed an envelope with a few pages inside. Before Katie could get them out though Ash put his hand on it getting a confused look.
"Open them at home, it's important no one else sees the itinerary Katie as some of it is highly confidential." Ash said, getting a nod as Katie put the envelope in her bag.
The conversation continued from there and people started making their way home around 8pm. When Katie and Laura landed outside their home Katie remembered the envelope and placed them on her table, made herself a drink and sat down to read them only the itinerary was just a page long. The other pages however shocked Katie.
"Laura!" she shouted, getting a confused look from her girlfriend. "I think these are for you."
"What?" she asked getting up and standing behind Katie reading them before she snatched them up, unbelieving of what she was reading. Slowly she sat down while she was reading and looked up at Katie who looked concerned. Handing them over she watched as Katies face changed as she read the information on the pages.
"Why would Ash send me this?" Laura asked.
"There's a note" Katie said looking in the envelope.
"Laura, I came across this information from an anonymous source, whose identity I will never divulge. I believe it is important that you know this information before your hearing so you can mount a better defence during your trial. While I have no choice in the evidence I must submit I would hate to lose a competent Elite Four member, even if our views on certain issues do not and likely will never align. Just know that you have allies and a guardian angel looking out for you. You are not as alone as you believe you are.
ASK
P.S. Destroy this note. I will deny having any knowledge of this information.
"But I thought Ash hated my views and was against me" Laura asked confused after Katie had read it out loud.
"Evidently not," Katie said smiling at her girlfriend, "but I think you need to ring Grady and tell him what you've found out."
"How would I explain where I got it from?" Laura asked.
"Just say you received it through the post anonymously" Katie said walking over to the fireplace and burning Ash's note. "There, now no one but us and Ash knows he sent it. Talk to Grady sweetheart, I'll put dinner on."
Thursday January 10th 2002
Ash was sitting down on a bench near the back of the courtroom waiting to give his evidence to the panel who were presiding over Laura's trial. It was pretty cut and dry as far as Ash was concerned as to the level of his involvement, he was just the one who executed the order at the behest of the Kanto Board.
"How do you think she'll do?" Katie asked quietly at his side.
"It depends on the panel" Ash whispered back nodding to the five people listening to her defence. "Be thankful the corrupt ones were ousted last year when they tried to blackmail me as these have been extremely reasonable with me since then. As to the result, I've no idea Katie."
"What's your opinion?" Katie asked.
"I'll tell you my opinion after the trial" Ash said standing as he saw the board members leave to deliberate on their decision. Walking down to the front he stood next to Giovanni who looked knackered, had heavy bags under his eyes but otherwise his eyes were very alert.
"How are you doing uncle?" Ash asked, surprising him.
"Not very well Ash" Giovanni said, sighing and motioning for them to talk off to the side. "Alexis has plans to go back to Goldenrod in the next few days. Apparently there's been a hold up on Silver's will and she needs to sort out Hanzo Enterprises. Vincenzo has also gone back to Johto with his mother, there was really no need for them to hang around after the Goldenrod Incident but it was nice to spend some time with him."
"That's good" Ash said nodding "for what it's worth I am sorry. Not for his death, but for your loss."
"I'd say thank you but you did kill my son" Giovanni said looking around "one day you will have to account for that Ash."
"I'm doing it every day Uncle" Ash said grimacing "taking his life was not an easy thing but it came down to either him or me. It ended up being a reflex action from myself that ended the fight."
"Can you tell me what happened?" Giovanni asked, "I have only heard pieces."
Ash looked at his uncle and for the first time in years saw past the strong facade and saw a man who was clearly hurting at the loss of a child and felt his resolve break. "Come to mine tonight, get there at around seven pm and I'll tell you everything I know. If Alexis wants to come she can but if not then that's fine. I'll make food for us."
"Very well" Giovanni said, nodding as an aide walked back in.
"Champion Ketchum, can you come with me please. The board would like to speak to you."
"Er sure" Ash said looking confused, saying goodbye to Giovanni and following, "I've already given my evidence though so what do they need from me?"
"I've not been informed" he said as they walked into an office where Ash saw the panel sitting around a table. Sitting in the offered seat he waited for them to speak.
"We have nearly made our decision however we would like your opinion on Miss Whitehall."
"To what end?" Ash asked, confused.
"We have heard several accounts about Miss Whitehall but none from you. Give us your opinion on her."
"Do you want to know my opinion on the situation or just her in general?" Ash asked, wanting clarification.
"Both"
"Ok" Ash said nodding and thinking for a few seconds "This was the first time in my time as Champion that I've had a difference of opinion that was so drastic that it's taken intervention from elsewhere. I grew up on Kantonian nationalism, the fact we had the Johtoians in the Elite Four never bothered me in that way because they were so dominant. However, over the last year that I've been Champion and on my journey I've listened to trainers opinions, particularly at the Indigo Conference and the one thing they pretty much all said was that they couldn't wait for me to take over fully and staff the Elite Four with Kantonian trainers to reclaim our identity. I don't agree with that personally as I'm friends with Bruno and Lorelei, even Lance to a point and they're very good people but I do agree with the fact that the Kantonian Elite Four should be made up of trainers from Kanto.
With that being said I've noticed from talking to my gym leaders an upswing in pride from the trainers in Kanto, proud of the fact that someone who won the Unova League has taken their rightful place in the Kantonian Elite Four. Since joining me there has been a dramatic upswing of young trainers, female trainers at that who have expressed their desire to be part of the Elite Four someday because Laura has proved it's possible. They've grown up on stories of how Lorelei was so dominant for such a long time, who was also idolised by females so to see another one replace her has done nothing but good things. She is responsible for sales by young females surging in the six months she's been Elite Four.
On a personal note. Laura made a mistake, one which she is now having to answer to but I don't personally believe it's one that requires the harshest of punishments. She kept her reasons quiet instead of informing myself, or even yourselves which could have easily been addressed. I mean I refused to send Misty because of her pregnancy and Forrest due to his age so I could have asked her to just send her apprentices while she looked after Kanto while I was away, the solution was an easy one in hindsight. Keeping it to herself was obviously a mistake as we all have a responsibility to ensure we're above reproach in our roles. That has never been more evident over the last year with the near destruction of both the Kanto Board and the Kanto League. Quite frankly I don't want to lose Laura, she's a fantastic asset to the Kanto League however I will also go along with whatever your decision will be."
"Thank you for your honesty"
Recognising the dismissal he nodded and stood up, leaving and joining the assembled people in the courtroom. Ignoring the looks he was getting he sat down and messaged Nia back informing her he would visit her at the weekend. Looking up when the board walked back in he saw Laura nervously squeeze Katies hand.
"Miss Whitehall, we have deliberated on your predicament and have reached a decision. However before we inform you of our decision we would like to give you the opportunity to say a few words."
"Honestly" Laura said looking at them "there's not much more for me to say. I still believe that we shouldn't have had to sacrifice Kantonian lives for something Johtoians started but I acknowledge that they were ordered to do what they did. This decision wouldn't have even been a decision had it all been sorted over a decade ago. I've come to terms with the fact I'll likely go to jail for my decision, one I stand by because hopefully lessons can be learned from this. Am I sorry for not going to Johto and backing up my fellow Kantonians, yes. Am I sorry for taking the stance I did, no. I just went about it the wrong way."
"Miss Whitehall, you are not a martyr so please don't act like one"
"I'm not saying I am" Laura said shaking her head "but I am here because of choices made by myself and the previous board. So with that being said can we get to the verdict please?"
"Very well. Miss Whitehall. As you know you were summoned here to answer for your actions on November 9th 2001. Now we have taken into account the mitigating circumstances and your defence was put forth very well however your choices were ultimately your own. By your own admission you should have informed Champion Ash, or Champion Blue as to why you didn't feel you could take part. Something Champion Ash said when we asked to see him struck a chord in that you have young trainers looking up to you in your role as Elite Four member for Kanto. We had decided at that point to issue the harshest punishment we could give you."
Ash felt Katie gasp and raise her hand to her mouth when she heard that her girlfriend was going to jail and started to openly cry.
"That was until we listened to Champion Ash's words about you. He reminded us that we all have responsibilities to those who serve us, look up to us and look to us to lead from the front. We all have our own opinions about how to be a Kantonian and we all have our own thoughts and feelings about the other regions, however that is not something we have the luxury of expressing, at least in public. We all, as one, need to help Kanto heal from the self-inflicted wounds and we cannot do that if we are to divide ourselves. Miss Whitehall, you are free to go."
It took Laura a few seconds to compute just what had been said before relief flooded her. Gripping the bench in front of her she looked at them all, bewildered and not knowing what to say except "Thank you."
"Do not thank us. We were all united in our belief that you should have been sentenced and have done with you. The one you need to thank is standing next to your girlfriend for reminding us that we all have our crosses to bear and responsibilities that go beyond what we can say and do individually. Go home Miss Whitehall and the next time we order something to be done you better make sure it's done or have a phenomenally good reason for not doing so."
The board as one stood up and left walking through their door. Ash stood up, clapped Kate on the shoulder and walked out of the courtroom feeling very strange about the situation. On one hand he wasn't happy with his Elite Four member disobeying him and felt she should have some form of punishment but on the other hand he was very happy that he wasn't losing another person in his life and that Kanto was stable, for now.
Leaving the building he stopped and rang Cynthia, informing her of the decision, something which he was still getting used to. The fact he didn't have autonomy at the minute was a personal bug but over the next few years that would change.
"Thanks for keeping me informed Ash" She said.
"Oh, I'm inviting Tom to have a place in the Kanto Elite Four too" Ash said "he earned the right by winning your league a few weeks ago but we don't currently have a challenge. Hopefully a Kantonian will win another league soon and we will then open up the Elite Four Challenge again so they can then start to fight for their positions. Koga's place is secure as my deputy though, no matter if he is beaten."
"Very well" Cynthia said "just send me the official offer and I'll sign off on it. Thanks Ash for letting me know."
"Will do," Ash said, nodding and hanging up. Turning around he saw the procession leaving the courts looking very happy. He stood off to the side as he saw Laura speaking to the press who had gathered there. A few minutes later Laura spotted him and walked over to him, stopping a few meters away. The press had followed her but kept a bit of a distance away as they were hoping for more of a story.
"Why?" she asked.
"As I told the board" Ash said looking at her searchingly "we all have our reasons for doing what we do. The only way we decide what is right and wrong is by the aftermath of said decisions. You should have told either myself of Blue your reasons Laura and I would have found a different role for you but your obstinate defiance is what brought you here today. I'm not perfect myself, in fact the decisions I make are often ones I hate having to do, most of them I have no choice in making, however I also have an obligation to ensure I see those decisions through. It seems the board are happy with your explanation Laura."
Ash nodded and turned to leave but stopped when Laura spoke again.
"And what about you Ash?"
"What about me?" he asked, turning around.
"Are you happy with the result?" Laura asked, looking directly at him with almost a defiant look.
"My opinion is irrelevant here" Ash said, raising an eyebrow "I submitted my evidence, said what I needed to say and left your defence to you. Other than that I have no opinion."
"You must do" Laura said persistently "given how opposed you were to me not participating."
"Are you that bothered by what I think?" Ash said letting a bit of anger out in his response. "If you think I'm going to contest it then you're wrong. As I said I have no opinion on it Laura, I would think you'd be satisfied with that outcome."
"I want to know if I'm going to get any aggravation should I return to the Elite Four" Laura replied.
"No," Ash said, shaking his head, "that decision is yours and yours alone but you'll get no push back from me. After all, if I wanted you gone I would have said so when I was asked. Should you decide to return I'll expect you at the Plateau Monday to talk about the upcoming League. If not then I wish you well."
"But…"Laura began before being cut off.
"I'm not a dictator Laura. I am constantly seeking advice from various people about the situations I am placed into and while I will not pretend they have a say in the final outcome their advice is always taken on board. Your guardian angel was looking down on you today Laura, don't piss her off by asking questions eh?" Ash said before smirking as he walked down the steps and headed to the Indigo Building.
That evening Ash was sitting with Giovanni and Alexis on his porch looking out over the lake as he informed them of everything that happened from the moment he received the order from the Kanto Board to the moment he discovered Silver's body buried on his lake.
"Ultimately I believe your son was a pawn in a game of chess he had no idea he was playing in" Ash said "that does not excuse his actions nor does it excuse mine" he finished quickly seeing Alexis was going to comment. "We all played our part in Silvers' story, it was just my part to end it. Your son nearly destroyed my family Alexis and we both know he murdered hundreds of people in quest for power so don't try and pretend he was a good person. Ultimately he paid for his actions."
"My son died," Alexis said bitingly, standing up and walking to the balcony attached to the gazebo. Looking out across the lake Ash saw her perfectly manicured hand grip the rail and take a deep breath "so excuse me if you expect me to find your words comforting because I do not."
"I don't expect them to" Ash said shrugging his shoulders "I told Giovanni I wouldn't keep anything out about what happened from either of you. The truth is not always a palatable thing to digest but it's still the truth none-the-less."
"Your bedside manner has some improvement" She replied, looking around to face him and wiping away a tear that fell down her cheek "you are not so different from him."
"The difference is quite clear to me though Alexis" Ash said standing up taking offence at being compared to him "I have never taken a life without cause. I have never used my power to assert dominance over anyone else and I have never destroyed anyone's life just because I can. I've no issue with you being angry at me for taking his life, that is understandable, but I will always take exception to being compared to that man because I am nothing like him." Taking a deep breath he moved to stand beside her and looked out across the lake before looking sideways at her and continuing quieter, "I am sorry for your loss. Truly I am."
"So what now?" Giovanni asked, taking his place by her side and grabbing her hand.
"Someone was behind the finances of Team Rocket and the manipulation of the events over the last fifteen years" Ash said "soon there is going to be an all out war, one we all will be involved with if I don't find out the person behind Silver's ascension. That is my goal for the next few years until I claim my role as Champion full time, finding out who. I will however state to you both that my declaration to Silver will continue in that your Grandson is off limits. Should he be asked to reform Team Rocket though and agree then that declaration will be null and void. I will not see the rise of that team again, not on my watch."
"Team Rocket was the military arm of Hanzo Industries" Alexis said with finality, "and with the death of its boss has also died. I will make sure of it."
Half an hour later Giovanni and Alexis both left, leaving Ash to walk back down to his garden where he sat in silence on his favourite bench, just looking out at the lake under the night sky.
"What will tomorrow bring?" he asked the stars getting no response, not that he expected one. Sleep eluded him that night as his dreams were plagued with the faces of many of those he had killed since he started his journey, with Alexis' voice seemingly on repeat in the background. "You're not so different from my son Ash."