Chapter 14:Challenged
Darkness.
He slowly opened his eyes, taking in the alien environment all around him.
Bubbles rising.
He opened his mouth, as his heart wrenched, deprived of oxygen as bubbles frothed his lips.
He closed it, closing his eyes as well.
Wasn't this… better? There was so much noise outside… so much hurt, so much pain, anger, rage, fire, destruction, loss…
Darkness.
He opened his eyes again.
I'll become the world's greatest Pokémon master, Mom. You'll see.
Shelgon. Poliwhirl. Rhydon. Metagross. Charmander. Crawdaunt. Gyarados. Even the newly joined Lairon, and the mysterious Absol, though he hadn't even had a single word exchanged with her.
A small, spherical object floated up front, sinking into the depths of the indifferent sea,
A pokeball.
He extended his hand, it pained to do so, but he did it anyway. The strange looking pokeball fit into his palm snugly.
His lips opened, as he remembered a name. A name that was perhaps his last chance. Their last chance.
An… sah… lohn…
Ask Ketchum opened his eyes. It hurt, as bright light seemed to inundate his very existence. He shut them again.
Human Ash?
Metagross? Ash opened his eyes, ignoring the stabbing pain he felt, as he sat up on the white bed. The entire room had large, whitewashed walls, the somewhat cool temperature reminding him that there was some air-conditioning going on from somewhere. He looked down at himself—his arms bandaged above the elbow, a larger one on his abdomen, and one tied around his temples. He was pretty sure that there were a couple on his legs as well.
Damn. It feels like getting electrocuted by Pikachu all over again.
Ash chuckled.
Welcome back, human Ash. The avian and I thought we almost lost you.
Metagross… Where… where am I? What is this place?
As if in answer to that question, the door to his right opened wide, as a Nurse Joy came walking in, a Chansey following her footsteps, carrying a plate of what seemed to be some kind of… soup, he mused. There was also a large box beside it.
"It's good to see you're awake." Nurse Joy spoke up, with a serene expression on his face.
"Nurse… Joy. Where am I?"
The nurse raised a finger. "Don't fret. You are completely safe, and on Mirage Island. How are you feeling?"
Ash glanced back at his bandaged limbs. "I don't… know. Do you… think I can walk?"
"I wouldn't recommend it, right now, but if you insist," the Nurse frowned, "I could help you get a wheelchair."
Ash frowned, considering the prospect. Last he remembered, his leg had taken quite the injury. Worsening it would only complicate matters even more. He slowly nodded his head in agreement.
"Great." The nurse chirped. "Chansey, please arrange for a wheelchair for Mr. Ketchum."
"Nurse Joy, not to sound… ungrateful, or anything, but… how did I get here?"
Joy smiled. "What is the last thing that you remember?"
Good question. Ash closed his eyes. It seemed like a half-forgotten dream. The meteors shining in the sky. The king Dragonite coming to his summons. The ship breaking, and him falling down into the….
He opened his eyes. "The ship… deck broke and I fell down through the crack. I think I heard Pidgeotto-"
Nurse Joy's eyes seemed to flash with something like recognition, though she didn't interrupt him.
"—I think I heard Pidgeotto screeching in pain. Maybe… she got hurt or something from the battle, but... anyway, how did I get here?" Ash questioned again.
The nurse sighed. "The former Hoenn Champion brought you here, and paid for your treatment. You were… comatose for three days. Now that you are back to health, it might solve some matters."
"Steven? Steven brought me here? Where's he now? And Cynthia? Where's-?"
Nurse Joy raised a finger, gesturing him to stop. "Mr. Stone has dictated that I should inform him when you wake up. As soon as I leave this room, I shall do so. Meanwhile," she held up the bowl of soup that stood on the table, "eat up. You have been in a coma for three days, and need a lot of nourishment."
Ash suddenly felt something missing on his right hand, and panicked. "Nurse Joy… was there any device on my right hand? Like… here on the wrist?"
The nurse frowned at the clearly delirious individual. "I have them here with me, safe and secure." She pointed towards the box on the table. "Being an electronic gadget, those things can interfere with the treatment."
"Uh, thanks. Can I get it back?"
"Sure." The nurse drawled, as she lifted the top of the box up, before taking out what he realized as his Xtransceiver and Pokenav. "Is this enough or should I deliver your entire luggage?"
Ash cringed at her tone, which was dripping with sarcasm. Without further comment, he calmly accepted the two gadgets, putting the Xtransceiver on his right hand. Then, realizing that he was in white hospital robes, he looked back at the nurse sheepishly. "I don't have any place to keep it for now."
"Really? I didn't know that."
Ash looked down, wondering if all Nurse Joys were so sarcastic, or if it was simply a Hoenn flavour.
"Nurse Joy-"
The pink-haired woman sighed.
"Just one last thing."
"Just the one?"
Ash flushed. "My pokémon—I had Metagross and Pidgeotto out when I fell—do you know where they are?"
The nurse arched an eyebrow. "Your pokémon are in perfectly good condition, Mr. Ketchum. I'd appreciate it if you would kindly shut up and feed yourself."
"But my pokémon-" Ash stopped midway, meeting the cold stare of the nurse. Not willing to take his chances, he instantly looked down.
"You sure are one inquisitive character, aren't you, Mr. Ketchum?"
Ash looked way too hopeful to even afford to be embarrassed.
Joy looked exasperated, as she turned around, just in time to see Chansey bring a wheelchair into the ward. She turned towards Ash. "I'll help you on the chair, then we'll get you to your pokémon."
The pokémon center of Mirage Island, Ash observed, was much larger than the ones he had seen in Kanto. Not only that, the entire compound was much, much larger and lavish compared to those of Cerulean and Vermillion city. Maybe it was a Hoenn thing, or maybe this particular center had a larger group to attend. Either way, he slowly moved around on the wheelchair, following the directions of the Nurse who walked beside him.
"Can you tell me anything about what happened with St. Anne? I mean, after that… fight?"
Nurse Joy looked solemn. "I am not sure, about over a hundred and seventy people died in the struggle, and countless pokémon were lost. There are divers hired to fish out pokeballs from underneath the sea."
That reminded him.
"Nurse Joy… did I have a… a pokeball on me when I reached here?"
For some reason, Nurse Joy frowned. "Interesting that you mentioned it. The pokeball that was found on your person wasn't a registered one. If not for the fact that the former Champion vouched for you, I would have taken you as a pokémon poacher."
Ash widened his eyes. "Nurse Joy, I swear I didn't-"
Joy raised a finger again. "Relax. The former Champion wouldn't just vouch for anyone like that. To answer your question, yes, there was a pokeball on your person when you arrived here. An unregistered one, which had an exotic pokémon locked inside it." She paused. "I must confess that I do not, in fact, know its name, though the former Champion seemed to think it to be of a dark-type."
The nurse looked at Ash squarely in the eye. "Under his orders, I registered the pokeball, and the contained pokémon under your name. As of right now, you are its legal owner."
Ash swallowed, but didn't interrupt.
"The pokémon inside was injured, and so I took the opportunity to treat it, before returning it back into the ball. It will be handed over to you once you are deemed fit to leave the ward."
"And my pokémon? What about them?"
"Your Metagross and Pidgeot have undergone treatment and are completely fine now, though," her face scrunched, "they have been resisting returning to their pokeballs. I swear I haven't seen a more stubborn pair."
Ash chuckled weakly, before her words struck him. "Pidgeot?"
Almost as if in answer to his question, he turned past the end of the corridor into what seemed to be a… large garden of sorts, with several grass-types and bug-types all around, and in the centre of the garden, floating in the air, was Metagross. Beside him, perched on the ground, a rather odd sight for the bird, was Pidgeot.
The avian let out a wild screech at seeing Ash, before she hopped towards him, as Ash watched her with widened, awestruck eyes.
The last time he saw her, Pidgeotto was hardly larger than three feet at most. The one standing in front of him, watching him with those shiny, onyx eyes was an impressive specimen, spanning over eight feet.
Pidgeot let out another screech of happiness.
"Pidgeot," Ash murmured, as the great avian brought her head closer to Ash so that he could touch her beak. By the Gods, her head alone traversed the length of his arm. "You evolved? To save me?"
There was something… undecipherable in Pidgeot's eyes, as she slowly pushed her head away, before raising it up in the air, glancing down at him. Beside her, Metagross hummed softly.
"She's something, isn't she?" Nurse Joy remarked softly. "In fact, at first I wasn't even sure that she was a Pidgeot in the first place."
"Pidgeot's a shiny pokémon." Ash tried to clarify.
"Not that," the nurse interrupted. She took out her Pokenav to show him a picture of what a shiny Pidgeot looked like. The average height of a Pidgeot was around five feet at most, hardly a comparison to this behemoth of a specimen in front of them. Besides that, the decorated golden crest that Pidgeotto boasted would have extended a little further into a flowing mane, and the outer feathers would have attained a slightly reddish tinge.
Ash's Pidgeot however, looked remarkably different.
The golden plumage, the overflowing crest, the mane, and the feathers, all of them were there, but not the only changes visible. In addition to her humongous size, which Ash failed to comprehend since as Pidgeotto, she was significantly smallerthan average, an extra, thin, crimson mane had protruded out of her golden crest, flowing down like a mane, long past her tail, which was now shaded with aquiline and crimson as well. The edges of her wings had attained a bluish sheen, while her wings had crimson shades along the edges.
Pidgeot, now truly looked like a regal queen. One that was born to rule and scour the skies.
"I'm not sure why, but I am beginning to think that Pidgeotto's evolution was not… natural."
Ash nearly hurt his neck, given how quickly he arched towards her.
"Careful." Joy admonished. "From the tests, it can be inferenced, that your Pidgeotto, was certainly not happy, when she was evolving. In fact, had I not known better, I would have said that someone forced her to evolve, with the aid of certain evolutionary stones."
"But, there was no one there that could have-" Ash stopped midway, before the sounds of Pidgeotto screeching in agony came to mind. He turned towards Metagross. "Do you know what might have happened to her?"
Metagross hummed slowly. The avian was in pain when she was forced to evolve. She did not choose it. She did not want it. She was not ready for it. She says… she feels different.
Ash frowned in worry. It seemed like his worries weren't at an end. Are you all right?
I am perfectly capable of functioning, human Ash. Your concern though welcome, is not required.
Ash rolled his eyes.
Why do you always call me 'human Ash'? Just call me by my name.
As you wish.
"What about my other pokémon?" He asked, loudly.
"Your Gyarados and Rhydon had injuries, before I treated them. The rest of your pokémon seem healthy. They are now resting in the pokeballs. I can bring them to you, though-" she paused for a moment, "I will need your word that the garden and the pokémon living here will not be disturbed."
Ash chuckled. "You have my word."
The Nurse smiled. "I will send Chansey with your pokeballs. I need to make that call to Mr. Stone first. Can I expect you to be here by yourself without any trouble?"
Ash bobbed his head carefully. "Don't worry."
Ash watched the Nurse walk out of the garden, leaving him with Pidgeot and Metagross. "Hey Pidgeot?"
The majestic bird looked back at him. For some reason, he instinctively knew that she wouldn't hurt him. How he knew that, he didn't know, but he supposed that after all that they had been together, some bonds couldn't help but form between them.
"I'm really sorry, about the pain you had to suffer." He paused, noticing a strange glint in her eye. "I promise I will find out what happened to you."
Pidgeot let out a very, very soft gurgle, before glaring at the garden all around her.
"This place is quite… small for a queen like you, isn't it, Pidgeot?"
The avian screeched agreeably. At least her trainer was sensible enough to consider her own situation. A lady needed her sweet comforts, after all.
"I wouldn't mind if you'd like to spread your wings and soar out into the sky, you know." Ash suggested.
Pidgeot let out an indignant screech.
She is afraid that you will drop dead the moment she looks the other side. Metagross translated in his mind.
Ash chuckled heartily. He really needed that. "Don't worry. Metagross here will make sure I stay in a single piece. Get yourself some fresh air. It's really okay."
Pidgeot seemed to buy that for a moment, before she squawked sharply towards Metagross, something that Ash inwardly translated to some kind of warning, before she hopped a few steps out of the garden, before spreading her vast wingspan out, and soared up into the heavens.
Look at her go. Ash thought inwardly. To fly high up, so freely in the air. The more I see, the more I realize why Bag—Shelgon is so adamant about it.
That was a risky thing to do, Ash. To summon the fallen king like you did, was not a casual deed. Your life could have been forfeit for that transgression.
I know.
And you did it anyway.
Yes.
Human rationality confuses me, since it lies so close to outright impulsiveness. A defect, in your circuitry, I believe.
Ash snorted at his friend's thoughts, as a picture came floating to his mind.
She is alive and well. She came with Steven to get you admitted over here.
Shiro- Cynthia was here? To get me here?
Technically, it was the avian that brought you here. The rest of us just accompanied her. It is not… an intellectually correct decision to try counter an angry female, or so my awareness tells me.
Ash snorted at that, before the sensation suddenly vanished away. What about-?
The fallen king managed to drive the abomination away. The king then receded to the sea bed.
Wow… to think that the King possessed such power. Briefly, Ash wondered just how powerful this… Dark God entity must have been, to have literally tossed aside the king like that.
It is not a wise idea to speculate on the affairs of those in the distortion world, Ash. It is… not deemed as wise by the all-knowing ones.
You mean like yourself?
Exactly.
So what is this distortion world anyway?
A world where nothing is true and everything is real. Something that I am not willing to entertain questions about, right now.
What's that?
That's a question.
Wiseass.
"I wonder where Harrison, or Misty might be…" He murmured.
You should contact the good professor.
Shit.
The human need for expletives never fail to astound me.
"Shut up." Ash grumbled. "I need to call home. Mom and Professor Oak must have heard about the explosion, and—and I need to call home right now." He slowly pushed up his left arm, as he activated the Xtransceiver.
He dialled Samuel Oak's number.
Ring.
Ring.
The screen lighted up.
Almost an hour later.
"And that was all." Ash finished, his voice hoarse, as he completed the gargantuan task of explaining everything that happened to his delirious mother and an equally concerned albeit slightly lucid Professor Oak—how he had met the psychic at Commerce city and had an impromptu mockery of a pokémon battle, how he had gotten an Absol of all pokémon, how Agatha of the Elite Four had made the rather disturbing comment, and how the matter had rolled on to meeting Derrick Stone, and the Head of the Devon Corp. alongside the former Hoenn Champion. Ash had gone ahead to explain how he and… the Sinnoh Champion had tried to save the hostages in the residential quarters, how he had fought off that Magmortar and the Team Rocket Executive, and how Harrison had saved his life. He had described how the psychic had created an enormous draconic bomb, from where countless Draco Meteors had erupted out, and how, a King Dragonite had appeared out of nowhere, coming to their aid and apparently defeated the psychic, causing him to flee. He had conveniently omitted out the portion where he had, ignoring the possible ramifications of the act, summoned the King Dragonite to battle against the psychic.
By the end of it all, Delia Ketchum was a sobbing wreck, fallen to her eyes, her eyes literally glittering with tears as she allowed them to fall without concern. Samuel Oak, a man who had been through a lot, seemed absolutely shaken at Ash's account of the events that had conspired on that ship.
"Ash," Samuel spoke at last. "I believe, for your own betterment, as well your mother's sanity, you should return home, at least for a few weeks."
The funny thing was, Ash had seen it coming. "I will do that. However, I am too weak right now to even consider travelling, or even teleportation, considering that more than half of me is bandaged and on a wheel chair right now."
Delia, still on the floor, heard that statement, as she stood up, looking at the screen. "Then I will go there. There's no way I am going to leave you alone after all that has happened."
"Mom?" Ash asked softly. This was going to take a little more convincing. "I am perfectly fine now, and Nurse Joy says that my bandages can be removed in three days. Besides, I need to meet Steven—uh, the Deputy Champion as well as… the Sinnoh Champion. They were the ones that got me admitted here after all."
"But-"
Ash wasn't done speaking yet. "Also, I need to know about the other people on that ship. What happened to them, their pokémon? I need to know where Harrison is, or Misty, and Ritchie, and the others. We fought together, Mom. As selfish as that sounds, I cannot return home until I have at least, some of my answers."
"But Ash-"
"Having you here will not help matters, Mom. Besides, it will take you at least two days to arrive here anyway, even if you get started right now. I will be allowed to leave in three days, so I'll come home soon."
Oak arched an eyebrow. "Ash? What exactly are you planning on doing there?"
Ash looked a tad embarrassed. "Am I that readable?"
"I have known you since you were a toddler." The old professor remarked. "You have much to learn before you can fool these eyes." He paused. "Also, Bill Montgomery had contacted me, regarding a certain… draconic mist event, as I am sure, you know. For some strange reason, Bill has the unshakeable belief that you might have some explaining to do."
Crap.
"Uh… what do you say we discuss about this later on?" Ash tried.
Samuel Oak gave him a hard stare. "I'll… hold you on to that."
Ash swallowed. "Sure thing."
"So," Oak asked, his voice a little more casual now, "What are you aiming to accomplish at Mirage Island?"
Ash grinned sheepishly. "I… kind of, wanted to visit the Forest of Illusions."
"WHAT?" Came the reply in unison.
"Ash Ketchum, you'll not be-", Delia began her tirade, before Ash gestured her to stop.
'Mom, I am in Hoenn. Whether by luck or not, I am so close to one of Hoenn's most mysterious places, especially one abound with Ghost pokémon. I need one for my team to grow stronger."
"And how exactly, are you going to defend yourself, if you face a hostile ghost?"
"Oh come on," Ash challenged. "I have Metagross with me, and Crawdaunt, and my new prized Absol. A psychic and two dark pokémon. I have enough to put forward a decent challenge."
"Ash Ketchum, if you are trying to convince me, I suggest you try a different explanation."
Ash sighed. "Please mom? I really, really want to do this."
Delia stared at him, annoyed.
Ash stared back, with hope.
Delia sighed, looking away. "Very well, since you have proved that you will do what you want irrespective of my wishes, you leave me with no choice."
"Mom?" Ash pleaded, fearing that he had just provoked his mom's mythical anger. However, the next words that Delia Ketchum spoke were in anything but in rage.
"Get your Xtransceiver ready for reception. I am sending a pokémon."
But I already-"
"Shut up and do as I say, unless you want me to take more strenuous alternatives."
Ash wisely shut up, and switched on the reception gateway for accepting a pokeball. The device on his arm beeped several times, as a spark of electricity appeared at the entrance port, before manifesting into a pokeball. Wondering what it contained, Ash gently held it in his hand, before releasing the pokémon within.
A golden-brown, human-like fox pokémon with three fingers and toes on both arms and legs appeared in front of him. A tail protruded outward from the posterior end, in a bulb-like shape, not unlike the humanoid psychic Ash knew. Two long moustaches protruded out from the extremely large head that seemed overly large compared to the rest of its body. At the centre of the abdomen, there were three crimson marks that were supposed to mean something to the psi kind.
Midget. I feared having you away on your hopeless trip simply wouldn't be enough to keep you from interrupting upon my private time.
"Hello Kadabra!" Ash replied in a falsely-sweet tone, his left eye twitching.
Metagross hummed in amusement from behind.
Ash turned back to face the Xtransceiver. "Is this your idea of some kind of… retribution for making you worry?"
"Whatever do you mean, Ash?" Delia replied in the exact falsely-sweet tone that Ash had utilized a moment ago. "You are going into a region populated by Ghost pokémon. You need a psychic to aid you."
I am not the least insulted. Metagross chimed in, into his mind.
Ash scowled. "Take that back, mom. Metagross is a perfectly good psychic."
Delia changed tracks real fast. "Oh, I'm sorry. Metagross. It wasn't anything personal against you. I simply meant having a psychic that could teleport him away to safety."
I agree, no harm done.
Whose bloody side are you on? Ash scowled inwardly.
It will be a good opportunity to hone my skills from an experienced all-knowing one.
Traitor. Ash thought, before glancing back at his mom. "Alright, have it your way. I'll keep Kadabra with me, but I take no responsibility if the Ghosts of the forests decide to keep him there forever, entranced by his winning personality.
You should know that a Kadabra never forgets, midget. I have explicitly perspicuous memories of the one hundred and seventy three offences you have committed against my person. This constitutes the one hundred and seventy-fourth one.
"So speaking the truth is an offence now?" Ash retorted angrily.
"They seem to get along famously." Samuel noted, though it was hard, not to see the amused glint in his eye.
"Not you too." Ash repented.
"Now listen," Delia spoke in her instructor-voice. "You are to keep Kadabra on your person at all times. I don't care where you might be, the moment you feel you are in danger, teleport away. Is that understood?"
"Yes. Mom." Ash replied in a resigned tone.
"Kadabra, please take good care of my son."
Kadabra just made a gesture of agreement.
"All right then." Delia replied. "Take care of yourself, Ash."
Beep. The call disconnected, as Ash let out a sigh.
So midget, aren't you going to introduce me to your little band of merry men?
A sudden squawk attracted the psi pokémon's attention, as Pidgeot was visible soaring in the sky, flying at speeds literally unimaginable.
-and women, of course.
The sight was a strange one. Ash Ketchum, the fourteen-year-old trainer, all bandaged up and tied to a wheelchair, was the sole human in the entire area. Metagross had levitated Ash (on his wheelchair) all the way to a cliff nearby, a place where he could call out all of his pokémon, without disturbing the natural ambience of the Pokémon center, while at the same time, not breaking any of the Nurse's rules, since he was barely a kilometre away, and could teleport back using Kadabra anytime he wanted.
So that was how Ash Ketchum, the temporarily-handicapped fourteen-year-old, found himself staring at the pokémon who were all, now a part of his team. Shelgon, large, round and hard, was standing on the ground, with Charmander just beside him, wagging his tail every now and then. Next, was Poliwhirl, uncomfortable with the tail-flame that drew too close for comfort at times. Pidgeot, large and mighty, stood on the ground, her sharp eyes staring hard at the new pokémon that had abruptly joined their group. Ash had the sneaking suspicion that after being so small for all this time, Pidgeot was milking her new size for all it was worth.
On the other end, Metagross hummed softly, levitating in the air like always, his iron legs never reaching the hard ground. Rhydon, snorting now and then, rubbing his foot claws upon the hard ground, with Lairon next to him, following the larger rock-type in the manner a little brother follows his elder's footsteps. That, and trying to dig a hole into the hard ground with the armour on its face.
Gyarados, had coiled around itself, somehow maintaining a height taller than Pidgeot, for reasons that Ash couldn't possibly fathom, and finally, there was Crawdaunt, who was too busy striking on Shelgon's hard shell for fun, checking out the truth behind the nigh impenetrable defense of the dragon pokémon.
All of his original team were facing the newcomer who seemed to look at them with varying degrees of curiosity.
"Hey guys, this is Kadabra, and he's…" Ash frowned slightly before continuing, "my mother's pokémon."
And your babysitter. Kadabra must have repeated the same thing aloud in his natural tongue, considering the various degrees of amusement on the other's faces.
"For those of you, who do not know what happened…" Ash began softly, "the ship was attacked by… a strange psychic pokémon."
I'm sure that psychic is a pretty… inadequate way of describing one such as myself.
Ash's face turned absolute pale with shock, as every single eye on the cliff looked upwards. There, floating in the sky, without a care in the world, was the strange psychic pokémon who had attacked the St. Anne. Almost instantly, Metagross appeared right above Ash, his appendages glowing a bright blue, and even Kadabra looked anxious, his silver spoon and ready for anything this… stupidly strong pokémon might have to throw against them. Pidgeot, who realised the stranger as well, squawked out indignantly, spreading her wingspan. The sheer amount of animosity amongst Ash and the three pokémon was enough for the others to get a rough idea, and stand guard, ready to battle and protect their trainer at any cost.
The strange humanoid pokémon suddenly drifted down towards the ground.
Do you usually get so antagonistic towards anyone who interrupts your speeches, Ash Ketchum?
"What do you want?" Ash gnashed his teeth. He wondered if the King Dragonite would listen to his summons without deciding to kill him this time. Either way, he was stuck between a rock and a hard place.
Relax. I'm not an expert but you look fairly fragile to me.
Yeah, and who's to blame for that? Ash thought sardonically, as he felt a surge of amusement flit through his mind.
I'm here to make small conversation, Ash Ketchum. Or if I be direct, to thank you for your contribution.
"What- what are you talking about?" Ash replied in confusion.
"You gave me a gift I haven't ever received. A real challenger with a power as great as my own. I must confess, even my partner hasn't gifted me with something this… enjoyable.
Ash didn't even want to know how this… monster's mind worked.
Mewtwo felt amused. I do not like to be in anyone's debt, Ash Ketchum. I hope your bird likes the gift I gave her.
Ash widened his eyes, as Pidgeot screeched indignantly. "You—you forced her to evolve?"
Mewtwo seemed to give the psychic counterpart of a shrug. You were falling to your death, and I couldn't afford to let you die. You are a source of my amusements, after all. So, I decided to gift you in return.
"By forcing Pidgeotto to evolve, against her own volition?" Ash snarled, as he felt a surge of annoyance coming from the psychic in front of him.
I… set her free. All those bonds, all those constraints, I let them lose. Your bird is now at the apex of what she could have become, should she be able to harness all her talents to the superlative degree. I like to think… a moment of pain is too less for something like that.
"You had no right to do it, just like you had no right to destroy the ship. We have no quarrel with you."
Mewtwo tilted his head in curiosity. An ant, has no quarrel with a boot.
Are you planning to step on us?
Mewtwo smiled behind the armour.
"Who are you, anyway?" Ash couldn't help but ask. Should he want it, Ash and his pokémon would be dead before they knew it. Since they were not dead yet, he would have to assume that he and his pokémon would continue to live and breathe. Thus, there was no reason not to try a conversation. Maybe he could get answers to his questions.
My name… is Mewtwo.
"Mew-two?" Ash repeated.
Correct, but you don't care about any of it. Mewtwo drifted closer to Ash, who felt an incredible urge to try running away.
Almost instantly, every single pokémon close enough to Ash sprang towards Mewtwo, ready to kill the obviously potent threat to their trainer-
And then froze in mid-air.
That was dramatic. Mewtwo looked up at the pokémon floating all around him, trapped inside locks of his own design. They would hear, they could see, they could feel, but they couldn't move. No matter how hard they tried.
I'm sorry. I know you mean well. You just… didn't think it through.
And every single pokémon began to wail in absolute and utter agony.
"STOP IT!" Ash screamed, getting off his wheelchair, losing his coordination and falling on the hard ground, as he crawled over towards Mewtwo. "Please… don't hurt them. Hurt me if you want, but not them."
Mewtwo's smile deepened as he lifted his head up, as the pokémon stopped their screams, dropping them unceremoniously on the ground. A bluish aura surrounded Ash, lifting him up from the ground, back into the comfort of the wheelchair.
As I was saying before being so… rudely interrupted, you don't care about who I am. I am waiting for your other question.
Mewtwo floated closer.
Go ahead, Ash Ketchum… ask it.
"Why did you let me go?" Ash murmured. It was something he had been thinking all this while. "Especially if you knew that I summoned the King to battle against you?"
Are you suggesting that I kill you and end your legacy for good?
Ash gulped.
Mewtwo's smiled deepened.
"I just want to know, why you did, what you did."
Mewtwo felt amused. This boy, was truly worth keeping alive, for entertainment's sake if nothing else.
Because Ash Ketchum… I believe your destiny is to join me.
My… what?
I am not going to repeat it.
I….. "I will never join the likes of you. You murder, kill and torture for fun."
Do you think, Ash Ketchum, that you are strong enough to fight your destiny? Fight me?
Ash swallowed. He was past caring now. "No." He confessed. "Me, my pokémon… none of us are able to stand against you now. But I will grow stronger. I will create the greatest team of pokémon in the world, and together, we will fight Team Rocket, fight you, and defeat you. And then…" Ash slowly pushed himself up, ignoring the pain in his legs as he did. "I'll capture you."
I am not sure whether to be amused or irritated by your audacity, Ash Ketchum. You have the gall to believe that my defeat is comprehensible, let alone possible.
Silence pervaded the entire area before Mewtwo spoke again.
Out of respect for your previous deeds, I will allow you one opportunity to explain why you foolishly believe such a travesty may even come to pass.
Ash stood straight, ignoring the strange sensation he felt in his knees. "I have been training for merely a month, and yet, I was able to summon the King to fight against you. Imagine what I can with a year under my belt."
Very well, Ash Ketchum. One year you have. One year to prove your worth. Then, I'll come for you.
And then Mewtwo was gone.
The moment Mewtwo disappeared, Ash Ketchum lost his somehow garnered strength as he fell back upon the wheelchair, his wounds burning with increased intensity for having done what he… what he did.
I do not think… that a single year of training is anywhere good enough time to face that creature, Ash.
Ash didn't bother to answer Metagross in the head. "What else was I supposed to do? At least I bought ourselves a year worth of time. We have trained, and grown strong in less than a month. We managed to reach the Top-4, and could've possibly won the tournament if not for my own deficiencies."
He looked around at each and every pokémon that stood before him. "I'll not make the same mistakes again. We will train harder, and we will become the strongest."
I must say, Midget. I didn't think you had it in you.
Ash grinned at the Kadabra. "You ain't seen anything yet." All of his pokémon were on the ground, with some of them, like Poliwhirl and Charmander, still panting from the acute pain caused by Mewtwo's psychic locks. "Guys, that pain you are feeling. That is nothing compared to the real power that… Mewtwo wields. To fight him, I need you all to become powerful. However," his voice lowered slightly. "I wouldn't ask you to do that on my behalf. If anyone doesn't want to participate in this, they are free to leave. I won't stop you."
Metagross seemed to give him an accurate representation of what every single pokémon wanted to do to him. Using a slight amount of his power, he whacked Ash in the head.
"Oww!" Ash rubbed his head absently, before chuckling. "Thanks guys. Your support means a lot to me."
He paused, gathering his words. "There's… just one more thing I need to do, before we return. Our newest addition to our team…. When we all reached the Top-4, we won her as a prized pokémon. I hope you shall treat her properly." He lifted up Absol's pokeball from his belt and released her, the red light condensing into the white-furred feline creature that growled softly, staring at the pokémon surrounding it, as if trying to gauge their intentions.
"They won't attack you," Ash replied slowly, looking at Absol squarely in the eye. "All of them are my pokémon."
Absol stared back at Ash, her crimson eyes seemingly staring into his soul.
Damn, this is odd. Ash decided. He was used to fighting wild pokémon and capturing them, before talking to them about what they thought about joining him as their trainer. However, Absol already knew that she was Ash's pokémon, despite never having fought Ash in a battle, or judged his competency as a trainer in any shape or form. At least, Lairon didn't seem all that… intelligent to have those questions, and was easy to handle- an advantage that he didn't think he'd get with Absol.
"I… am Ash Ketchum." He slowly tried to stand up, before a psychic-push from Metagross pushed him back into the chair. "Sorry, I am a little wounded and… Metagross here doesn't want to strain myself. I... didn't really get the chance to introduce myself to you back then at the party, so… I'll try to do that here."
Absol didn't even shift a single muscle, and simply stared calculatingly at Ash.
This is really not my thing. Ash confirmed to himself. Note to self- winning pokémon in a battle is bad business. Try not to do that again, Ketchum.
"I… I just need to say that, I wish to thank you for your contribution." Ash let out, and was somewhat surprised to see a change in Absol's expression. It was almost like she had been caught off-guard with his statement.
"I confess I don't really know much about Absol in general, but Steven- he's the former Hoenn Champion, he told me how Absol predicted disasters in advance. After you showed up, we got a little time to prepare ourselves for the attack on the ship. I don't even want to consider what would have happened had we all been caught unaware."
Absol growled softly.
"So… I just want to thank you for warning us in advance." Ash stressed. "That said, you agreed to become a part of the winner's pokémon team. I qualified as the second runner-up and would really like you to become a part of this team."
Absol took a step back.
"Though, if you do not wish to do so, I can also battle against you to prove my might as a trainer."
Absol tilted her head, as if considering the offer. Then, she grunted out challengingly.
Ash grinned. "Very well. I choose-"
Let me.
Ash was awestruck, as he registered who it was that had interrupted him. Taking a single step forward from his position, before quickly teleporting in front of Ash, to stare back at the growling Absol, was Kadabra.
You aren't my pokémon, Kadabra. Ash tried. My mom simply let me-
Delia sent me here for a multitude of reasons, midget. Now will you let me battle him on your behalf or not?
Ash frowned, before settling on a decision. Fine.
Good. Watch and learn.
I'm watching. Ash thought back, somewhat amused. Meanwhile, Metagross levitated him backwards, away from the main battle.
Absol growled, before suddenly charging ahead towards the Kadabra, her horn glowing bright pink. She waved her horn in an arc, sending a powerful psycho cut towards Kadabra, who just teleported, appearing right behind her back, and shot a shadow ball at her—
Only for Absol to deflect it away with a slash of her horn.
Kadabra let out an angry growl, before focussing on his spoon, creating a psychic trap around Absol, only for Absol to leap out of it with frightening ease, before sending a fill-powered shadow ball back at Kadabra, who teleported again to its back.
This time however, Absol's entire body began to glow with an ethereal energy, which began to radiate out of her body. Ash could feel Kadabra slightly stiffen as the energy coursed past him.
The void-user feline cursed your friend. Metagross explained in his mind.
Kadabra growled again, as his eyes glowed an angry blue, but Absol was already a blur in the air. Suddenly, Kadabra stiffened before his eyes lost the angry shade in them, as his knees sunk down to the ground, revealing Absol who was standing behind him.
"Absol is the winner." Ash declared. "Kadabra, please remove yourself out of the battleground."
The Kadabra gave him a nasty glare, before teleporting away, only to reappear by Metagross's side, before drooping again.
"I'm going to return you back to your pokeball, Kadabra." Ash replied with a sigh, recalling the psi pokémon back into his pokeball. Then, he turned towards the dark creature before him. "That was a fantastic battle. You sure as powerful."
Absol grunted back, challengingly.
"Very well. Pidgeot, time for you to shine."
Pidgeot let out a wild screech, as she spread her wingspan, her sheer size causing Absol to step back in caution. The avian then took to the skies, while the other pokémon, knowing very well what was to come, jumped back towards Ash and Metagross, who put in a psychic shield, protecting everyone from the incoming wrath of the female avian.
Absol sent a powerful psycho-cut towards the avian, who easily dodged it, before literally vanishing, appearing right behind Absol, who somehow managed to escape her tackle attack. With the avian repeating the same move over and over, Absol's eyes begun to glow as she utilized double-team, but Pidgeot, had other ideas.
With the maelstrom of power in her wings, Pidgeot summoned a powerful twister, one that was at least a dozen times more powerful than anything she had ever created before as a Pidgeotto, literally sweeping Absol off her limbs, as the dark-type began to get sucked into the twister and got swept around like waste-paper. Her wings shining like steel, Pidgeot slammed into the twister, striking a perfect steel wing on Absol, who then fell to the ground, completely spent and defeated.
Metagross propelled the wheelchair forward, so that Ash could reach Absol, who had somehow managed to get up, though she was barely standing, as she grunted back at Ash.
"Do you think you can be a part of my team? Play well with everyone, train with everyone, and become the most powerful Absol in the world?"
Absol let out a soft growl in agreement.
Ash grinned. "Welcome to the team then, I guess." He lifted up the ultraball. "I am going to recall you now. After getting to the pokémon center, we will get you treated. Is that… fine by you?"
Absol shook her head.
Without a second word, Ash simply returned her. "I guess that makes her a full-fledged member of our team." All of his pokémon made their agreement known in a cacophony of grunts, growls and roars.
"Steven!"
Ash stared at the man excitedly, somehow managing to keep sitting on his wheelchair, as he witnessed the man talking to Nurse Joy from afar. He had been levitated all the way from the cliff back to the Center by a helpful Metagross, the rest of his pokémon now returned inside their respective pokeballs.
"Ash!" The former Hoenn Champion replied, ecstatic at seeing the young man who had been instrumental in their survival against the overwhelming odds presented at that night. He was a former Champion, and had a fellow Champion and Elite Four members with him, and yet, if not for this fourteen-year-old, someone with barely a month of experience under his belt, they would have become a shade of the past, listed as one of the many deaths in the tragedy of St. Anne.
Steven walked towards the young man tied to the wheelchair, a smile floating on his face. "Nurse Joy said that you were already out and training in less than an hour of being comatose for days."
"Have to make up for the loss, don't I?" Ash returned cheekily.
Steven grumbled something about 'overzealous teenagers', making Ash grin. "How are you doing?"
"Enough to have a battle with my newest pokémon, and also," his face darkened, "have a one-on-one conversation with Mew… the psychic who destroyed St. Anne."
Steven paled. "The…. The psychic?"
"His name is Mewtwo." Ash replied, "and he knew that…" he paused, before deciding that there was no point in hiding the truth, "—that I was the one who summoned the King Dragonite."
Steven opened his mouth, and closed it. "I had suspicions, that you might have had something to do with it. Was that why you….?" He trailed off, unsure how to speak about the entire thing.
Ash grinned mirthlessly. "I thought… that I would be killed for attempting such a thing. I'm still not sure how I managed to survive."
"I'm just happy that you did. Balls to how." Steven spoke, before looking embarrassed at his use of an expletive in front of a youngster. Then again, considering what they had been through, the use of the expletive didn't even count.
Ash chuckled.
"Considering that you aren't… you know, charred and lying in a ditch somewhere, I presume that this… Mewtwo had a reason for letting you stay alive?"
"For entertainment's sake." Ash returned darkly.
"Excuse me?" Steven narrowed his eyes.
"He said that he… was rather exhilarated at finding a worthy foe to fight against. Because I was the one who summoned it, he thought that it was something worth giving me a prize." Ash replied bitterly. "In case you are wondering, when I was falling into that steel trap, Mewtwo forced my Pidgeotto to evolve… uh, more than just evolve actually, so that she might be able to save my life."
"Ash… that's- I mean-"
"Beyond reason? Incomprehensible?" Ash supplied.
"Both." Steven sighed. "I had wondered, why… well, I'm not really supposed to speak of this to you, so consider it a testament to my trust on you, your Pidgeotto, it seemed, didn't just evolve. She… mega-evolved."
"Mega-evolved? Like… mega-evolution?"
Steven looked aback. "For someone as young as you are, Ash Ketchum, you are dangerously well-informed."
"I try." Ash deadpanned. "Professor Oak mentioned it when he gave me Bagon as my starter."
"The Shelgon, right." Steven realized. "Their final form, Salamence, are one of the most powerful dragons in the world. The mega-forms, even more so." He paused. "Wait, what exactly do you know about Mega-Evolution?"
"That they can evolve further than their final forms?" Ash clarified.
Steven sighed. "Incorrect, or rather, inadequate. Put it this way, while Pidgeotto would, in time, evolve into a Pidgeot, and is it guaranteed that all of her abilities, traits and skills would reach their maximum potential?"
"Umm…. No?"
"No." Steven confirmed. "There are… certain genes that remain immature, despite the final evolution stage. Say, if Pidgeotto evolved into a Pidgeot, and all of her abilities, both dormant and not, were to mature with it, she would be powerful, right?"
"Very."
"Well, that's what Mega-evolution does for you. For a moment, it activates every single trait, dormant or not, in a fully-evolved pokémon. Doing so brings certain… physiological changes to its appearance, which we call, mega-evolved state. This happens by force, through the infusion of spiritual essence of the trainer into the pokémon with the help of a meganite key-stone pair. "
"I thought we humans had very less spiritual essences, if at all."
Steven opened his mouth, then closed it again. "I should ask you how in hell you know that, but I-I'll just put it in the list of things that come under Ash Ketchum list of possibilities."—Ash snorted- "Yes, we have a weak essence, and hence, cannot maintain this… perfect, mega-evolved state of a pokémon for more than say… a few minutes at most, without losing consciousness. It goes without saying that the better the bonding between the pokémon and trainer, the easier it is."
Ash thought about it for a moment.
"If what you said about Pidgeot is right, then… Mewtwo must have poured in a colossal amount of energy into her, forcing each and every single trait in her constitution to activate all at once, triggering her evolution into her perfect stage, only it was permanent for her." Steven paused. "Pshew! A permanent mega-evolution. The researchers will be talking about this for years."
Ash frowned. "She was in a lot of pain."
"I bet she was." Steven agreed. "Mega-evolution is often painful, even for those, who mega-evolve with their trainer's essence temporarily. The shift in genetics and physiology is a painful thing."
"Do you… you know, have any pokémon that can mega-evolve? Can your Metagross?"
Steven smirked. "You'd like to know that, wouldn't you?"
"I cannot wait for Shelgon to evolve." Ash grinned.
"You might have to wait for a while. Dragon-rearing is a difficult task."
"You can say that again." Ash muttered.
Steven chuckled at his antics, before his face turned solemn. "Returning to the topic, what did you talk about?"
"Nothing really." Ash looked away, not wanting to lie to Steven on his face.
"Ash? I have displayed my trust in you. Shouldn't you be returning the same?"
Ash looked back at Steven, feeling slightly guilty, comprehending the former Champion's words. "He… gave me an offer."
Steven arched an eyebrow. He sure, hadn't seen that one coming. "Which is?"
"Join him."
"Join him…" Steven repeated blankly, "as in… Team Rocket?"
Ash looked up. "I… don't think so. He might be working with Team Rocket, for whatever reasons that might be. But… it feels like they are simply the means of an end to him. Nothing more."
"That's valuable insight you have gathered." Steven observed. "What else?"
"He said… he said that it is my destiny to join him. That, he and I are… alike. Strange likenesses."
"Strange." The former Champion muttered his thoughts aloud. "For someone who is a pokémon, this psychic is certainly quite… complex."
"I… will have to disagree with that statement."
Steven looked at him challengingly. "Well, go ahead? You are the expert on all things, Mewtwo."
Ash chuckled at that description. For a moment, he wondered what the psychic's reaction would've been to that. Instantly vanishing away the nasty thought, he returned to conversation. "I think that…. That he is a very powerful being, one that believes in his own superiority. As long as you acknowledge that, he is ready to let you be."
"Interesting." Steven observed. "So, you did acknowledge his superiority?"
Ash laughed mirthlessly. "Actually, I challenged him."
"What?" Steven yelled. "Are you batshit insane? How are you still alive?"
"I… told him that given a year, I will be strong enough to fight Team Rocket and end it, that… that I will capture him."
Steven smacked his own face with both palms. "Ash… please tell me this is a joke? Why on earth would you do that?"
"Because I will."
Had it been any other person, Steven would have simply smacked him in the head until he came to his senses. However, this wasn't just anyone. This young man… had faced the might of Articuno and lived. He had faced the wrath of a King Dragon and yet had the sheer courage to summon him, even at the cost of his own life to save hundreds of strangers. If anyone could do it, it would be Ash Ketchum.
"I… see." Steven replied slowly. "That's quite a level of accomplishment you have set yourself against then. Most starting out trainers look to getting past the top-8 of the Indigo League."
Ash laughed. "What can I say? I rather like being an overachiever."
Steven smacked him in the head.
"Oww." Ash rubbed his head absently. "What was that for?"
"For being a smart-ass." Steven retorted. "For the record, you scared the shit out of us. Cynthia was almost beside herself."
"She… was?"
Steven arched an eyebrow. "You… do realize that the Sinnoh Champion has the hots for you? Particularly after you saved her life, multiple times, I may add?"
Huh? Ash thought.
"Huh?" Ash said.
Steven cracked up. "Sometimes it's easy to forget that you are just a teen, Ash." He chuckled again. "Anyway, she has been a little… engrossed with the entire thing, considering that there were several trainers from Sinnoh in the ship as well."
"Oh." Ash muttered, thinking once again about the loss of life in the tragedy.
"Lance isn't much better." Steven muttered. "I shouldn't be telling you this, but before the…. Mewtwo, appeared in front of St. Anne, he fought Lance."
"Lance? He fought Mewtwo?"
"More like forced to fight." The deputy Champion answered solemnly. "From what he told me, he and his team had been ambushed by Executive Pierce of Team Rocket, but then this psychic… Mewtwo came in. He killed the entirety of Lance's team by snapping their heads off, and he did it without lifting a finger." Steven paused, "then, he challenged Lance to a battle, and killed his Charizard."
Ash looked aghast. "Charizard? Lance's Charizard?" That was the pokémon that Ash had grown up loving, the pokémon that had inspired Ash's wish to have his own team of dragons. Charizard was… dead?
"Lance said that Mewtwo… played with Charizard for a while, before forcing his tail flame to extinguish. Charizard…. He died a horrible death."
No one spoke a word, but the pain was shared between them in the silence.
"Lance wasn't…" Steven spoke after a while, "he was delirious, clinging to Charizard and screaming when we found him. Apparently, Mewtwo believes in… reciprocation, like he did with your Pidgeot. He did the same with Lance."
"I… what do you mean?"
"Pierce had a draconic pokémon known as Hydreigon. They are from a distant land known as Unova. Hydreigon are… very powerful, greater than Dragonite, and can be a powerful threat to Salamence most of the time."
Ash widened his eyes at the mere thought. A dragon even more powerful than Lance's Dragonite?
"Yes." Steven answered. "He said that he would reciprocate, and so, captured Pierce's Hydreigon—it was illegally caught anyway- with the pokeball that belonged to Charizard, as a replacement for the dead pokémon."
"I…." Ash had no words.
"No need to say anything. I understand. Cynthia mentioned on passing that you are… quite the fan of Lance and his team."
Ash nodded absently.
"Speaking of which, the pokeball we found on you- did you snatch it from a grunt or something?" Steven asked, changing the conversation.
"Uh, no—I found it underwater, when I was- you know-"
"Doing the impossible—yeah. I get it."
"-yeah." Ash looked sheepish. "It kind 'a, floated near me, and I caught it."
Steven laughed. "Only you, Ash Ketchum. Only you."
"Nurse Joy told me that it is… exotic, and she didn't know anything except that it is a dark-type."
Steven smirked. "That… is true. Considering your contribution, and you yourself in general, Cynthia and me were in agreement that this… exotic pokémon should belong to you. Think of it as a personal thank-you gift for saving my ass the other day, kid."
"A… gift?" Ash repeated. "But what's the pokémon inside it?"
Steven smirked. "It is a pokémon on Lance's team as well. I'll tell you that much, though… considering that Team Rocket captured it, I wouldn't release it now if I were you. If you train it well, someday it will be a great addition to your team."
"Thanks…" Ash mumbled, his mind literally boggled. "Say… do you know anything about the others? Misty? Harrison? And the rest?"
Steven frowned. "I do know for a fact that Miss Waterflower has safely returned to Cerulean. The rest, I will have to check the present records to inquire. As for Harrison… I do know that he left on his Blastoise. Told me something about getting to his home town."
"Little root Town, that's-"
"I know." Steven interrupted. "I sent a message to Professor Birch, but his reply was negative. Harrison has yet to report to him. I don't know if he went directly to his home or-"
"His Arcanine is at Professor Oak's coral." Ash interrupted this time. "He gave it to me to send it there, because the center was closed. Just before the…. Fight. He wouldn't just forget about it."
"You are right." Steven muttered. "He wouldn't. Tell you what? I'll run some checks. See if he's run into something, or fallen ill? Maybe he got hurt during the battle and didn't realize it? Hoenn's a rather large place you know? Much larger than Kanto. Speaking of which, are you returning home after getting all patched up? Or has our beautiful Hoenn attracted your attention enough to hang around for a while?"
Ash frowned. "I… will be staying for a week or so. I was planning to visit the Forest of Illusions."
"A ghost hunter." Steven whistled. "Well, I can't blame you. Got my Aegislash from there as well when she was a Doublade."
"Aegislash?" Ash repeated.
"She's… an exotic pokémon. I have no idea what she was doing in the forest, never told me, that trickster."
Ash frowned. "What can you tell me about the Forest?"
"Hmmm…." Steven mused, dropping to his knees to be at Ash's height. "The forest has a rich diversity of ghosts, and is covered with a dense fog all year round, and people going in, and never coming out are… a natural thing over there."
Ash gulped. "You are… joking, right?"
"No." Steven deadpanned. "You are talking about Ghost pokémon here, kid. What did you think Ghosts would be like? Invite you to a room full of toys?"
Ash rolled his eyes. That was a ludicrous thought.
"Ghost pokémon are dangerous for a reason, Ash. They revel in the pain and fear of others. They aren't evil, it's simply… the way there are created. To be a ghost trainer isn't an easy job. After all, Agatha is the only Ghost-Mistress in Kanto and Johto over the last thirty years."
Ash raised his eyebrows. Now that, was something he had no idea about.
"Being a ghost-master is perhaps the most difficult things a trainer can accomplish in life. In fact, after all is said and done, you wouldn't even consider it an accomplishment. You do know about Agatha's nickname, right?"
"The revenant crone." Ash whispered.
"There are reasons why she's called so, always remember that." Steven replied in a small voice.
"Anyways," the former champion raised his voice, wanting to neutralize the depression the conversation had created, "if you wish to get yourself a ghost, go do that. But… make sure that you have dark-types around. Your Absol, should aid you there. Having psychic types ain't a bad idea either, if they are good with instant teleportation." He paused, "also, hire a Hoothoot from the village before you enter the forest. That way, you have better chances of walking out, maybe even with a captured ghost under your belt."
"Hoothoot?" Ash repeated.
"Owl pokémon. Check them out on the Pokedex." Steven explained. "Pretty useful, I tell you."
"Err… right." Ash replied thoughtfully.
"Yeah, you do that. Don't forget. Dark-types, and a Hoothoot, and use one of those ultraballs. Pretty good catch rate than the standard balls, and-oh right, I knew I was forgetting something." Steven face palmed again. "Your trainer page. Do check it out when you get time, and then there's…. this." He handed him a magnetic disc, one that Ash knew instinctively well.
"A Flash Cannon TM, specifically made for Metagross. Before you leave for the forest, make sure to train your Metagross in this. You might need it."
"….This…"
"Yeah, yeah, you are welcome." Steven smirked, enjoying the look on the boy's face. "And remember, the dear Cynthia Shirona might appear over here by tomorrow or the day after. So don't go running away to the forest before you get to meet her."
"Uh… right."