Betrayal, War, Redemption, a pokemon fanfic Ch. 3

Ch. 3: Brothers In Arms

       There was no denying the smug look of pleasure plastered upon Ash's face as he left the hamburger joint. He relished in reopening memories of the past which his former friends had long since buried and abandoned. Even his Pikachu couldn't help but enjoy what Ash had done. They had destroyed his spirit, left him to wallow in suffering he should never have had to endure, and even he hated them for that.

You really enjoyed that, didn't you? he asked, to which Ash gleefully replied, I did, Pikachu. I certainly relished it when I forced Misty to remember her love for me. I only realized it after my Sinnoh travels that I loved her, and that she loved me too. I feel enraged that she still loves me. She shouldn't even deserve that!

I know, Ash. But I fear you're letting your hatred consume you. You're still the kind trainer I know and love, but you're becoming more and more distant. Even to me.

That was thrust upon me, Pikachu. I never chose to become like this, it was forced upon me. Hatred and vengeance are all I have left. My only comfort. Pikachu slouched at this, sad that his master was drawing too much upon his anger. He then felt a reassuring hand touch his fur and looked up to see Ash smile at him. But don't worry, Pikachu. I won't let my hatred swallow my love and friendship with you, my Pokemon, and the others. Have faith in that. I will always love and care for you.

Pikachu smiled at that. "Pika, pika!" he squealed in delight. Where should we go now? he asked with his mind. Ash smiled openly, and Pikachu knew why. Time we visited an old friend, and my adopted brother.

They took the Viridian subway to the very outskirts of the city. Upon exiting the subway, Ash took a secret route that led deep into the foothills east of the city, where the residence of the most famed Pokemon researcher was located, and where Ash's adopted brother lived.

After a few more minutes of walking, Ash arrived at the residence, oddly reminiscent of Professor Oak's lab back in Pallet Town before it was razed to the ground. He stepped up to the front door and found it to be open. Sensing no danger, he entered, hearing a man and several Pokemon outside.
I knew you were coming.

The mental voice hit him, and Ash was glad, for it kept him aware and vigilant. The one who spoke was the only one capable of surprising Ash, his own telepathy second only to Ash's. Ash let down his hood, glad to be rid of it, and continued walking down to the vast backyard of the terrace. There, hundreds of Pokemon moved about freely, enjoying the open spaces and fresh air. Closer to hand was a man, age 23, tall and athletic like Ash, feeding baby Torchics his own brand of Pokemon food. His spiky auburn hair was neatly combed and glimmered in the sunlight, and when he turned around, he revealed a bright, youthful, yet mature face.
The man standing in front of him was Ash's former rival, best friend, and adopted brother. Gary Oak.

For a long time the two just stood there, staring at one another. Then, they embraced, barks of laughter coming out from both men.

"It's been too long since I've seen you, Gary." said Ash, genuinely glad to see him. Gary was likewise happy to see his friend. "Too long indeed, my brother. I'm glad you came back." He motioned towards the house, and the two sat down, Gary preparing some herbal tea prior.

The two spent much of the day talking and conversing. Then Gary asked the question. "You saw them?"
Ash nodded. "I did. I even talked with him, though I didn't want to. But I learned much. They still believe all the lies and bullshit going around, perhaps more so than any other I've talked to. They believe in my "conviction" with the faith of zealots."

He sighed. "I really did lose them. And the one I loved."
Gary was sympathetic. "And you still love her yourself." he said gently, not wanting to provoke him. Ash simply nodded. "You're right, I still do. I still love her, even after all the betrayal. But it's a dying love."
Gary shook his head. "Don't say that, Ash. You still love her. Hold on to that love, before your own rage consumes you."
Ash just grunted. "Pikachu pretty much said the same." Gary replied, "Then he's just as wise as I am. If I've learned anything, it's not to let despair overtake you. But rage is the one you must watch out for. I made it out of my hellhole thanks to you. Don't fall to the trap that I almost fell into."

Ash nodded, remembering the day Gary lost his grandfather. Professor Oak had fortunately been away from Pallet the day it burned, but all his research was taken by Team Rocket agents. Determined to get the research back, Oak called for his grandson, and the two traveled to the location where Team Rocket was hiding the research. The attempt utterly failed, Gary stripped of all his Pokemon, beaten, and then forced to watch as Team Rocket grunts slit his grandfather's throat, proceeding to mutilate his corpse even further before disposing it in the waste areas of their lair.

Gary was a broken person after this atrocity, and for a year, he just wandered the world, lost and forlorn. But he still believed in Ash's innocence, for he was surprisingly the first to openly speak out against Ash's wrongful conviction. He was the first to rally to his defense after his companions betrayed him.

But it mattered not. Gary's words and his grandfather's influence did nothing to liberate Ash. And now, losing his grandfather in the most horrific way drove Gary almost to the point of insanity. It was lucky that he was found by a now-hunted Ash, who had escaped prison a year later.

It was Ash who had nursed Gary back to health, who consoled him, and who had done the one thing Gary could not: recover his grandfather's ruined body from the waste, where it had started to fester and putrefy. Despite this, Gary was extremely thankful, and afterwards honored his grandfather's last wish by cremating his body, scattering the ashes to the winds. That closure was the last thing needed to bring Gary back to his senses.

Since that time, Gary remained Ash's most steadfast friend, helping him by giving him shelter, protection, and support. A few years later, Gary had risen to become Kanto's most prominent Pokemon researcher. The first thing Gary did with his newfound power was fake Ash's death, carefully planting evidence of Ash's passing to be found and analyzed by the authorities. It was Gary's actions that made Ash finally free after many years of being on the run.

Though the others had helped, Gary was the one who sacrificed the most for Ash, and for that, Ash was forever grateful.

"Thanks for your reassuring words, brother." he said, grasping his friend's forearm in a gesture of brotherhood.
"Have you met Steven and Molly?" Gary asked. Ash nodded. "I did. We discussed final preparations. You're aware of the gatherings?"
"I am. They're preparing for war, so I've readied myself as well, having bred and raised all the Pokemon in my residence to peak levels. When the war begins, you'll have an army of ready Pokemon at your side."

Ash nodded. Gary was prepared. "Who else is coming to the competition?" he asked. Gary answered, "Ritchie, Paul, Flint, and Sabrina. They're competing in the tournament as well."
Ash was glad. He had allies within the tournament.

"Excellent. And the crystal? Is it here?" Again Gary answered positively. "It is. I've kept it in a secure vault which will only open with your DNA." At that, Ash was a little shocked. "How'd you manage that?"
Gary snickered a little. "Remember the last time you stayed here and used my comb? You left one hair in it. Sure, I was disgusted, but then I came up with the idea of encrypting the vault with a genetic lock. So I programmed the vault to respond to your DNA. It'll only open to you, Ash; since you're supposed to be dead, it's a foolproof mechanism. Even I can't override the lock systems."

Ash was impressed with Gary's cunning. He had outdone himself with this. "Nice work." Then, with a smile, he said, "Care to battle?"
At that, Gary's eyes flashed with anticipation. "You're on, Ashy-boy."

Smiling, the two went out to Gary's private battle arena at the farthest end of the clearing. "It'll be a one-on-one battle, Ash. Can you handle that?" he said, smirking, to which Ash boastfully replied, "Please, Gary! That's too easy!"

"Sorry, that's the way it'll be!" Pulling out a Pokeball, he threw it into the air, shouting, "Go, Arcanine!" Out came the magnificent fire Pokemon. "Arr!" it howled.

Ash followed suit, calling out his Pikachu to the field. It had been a while since it had battled; this would prove to be good practice.

Gary made the first move. "Arcanine, agility followed by Bite!"
The fire Pokemon advanced forward quickly, jaws agape to bite Pikachu.

"Pikachu, Agility then leap and use Thunderbolt!" Ash shouted, and Pikachu obeyed, sprinting forth and then leaping up, delivering a powerful Thunderbolt to Arcanine. But it didn't weaken it badly.

"Not bad." Gary said. "Arcanine, give me a nice Flame Wheel, Helios-style!" The Pokemon obeyed and conjured a potent Flame Wheel attack before wheeling it upwards towards Pikachu. Pikachu was taken by surprise, having never seen Arcanine perform this unique attack. Gary had really trained his Pokemon well, to the point of even classifying its attacks with code names and special maneuvers.

"Dodge it, Pikachu!" Ash yelled, but Pikachu was caught in the blaze, hurt but unbowed. It landed safely back on the ground.

"All right, my friend, give him a Thunder Wave!" Ash commanded, and Pikachu unleashed a potent blast of electricity, hitting Arcanine square-on. Arcanine was further weakened, but still remained strong.

"Arcanine, Flamethrower, Phoenix-style!" Gary ordered, and Arcanine unleashed a powerful Flamethrower, manipulating the flames to move out in a spiraling fire tornado, majestic and artistic in its style, deadly in its potency. Pikachu had no time to react and was hit hard.

"Now, use Take Down!" Gary said, and Arcanine lumbered forward, intent on slamming down into the mouse Pikachu.
"Pikachu, jump high!" Ash ordered, and Pikachu did as he asked.
"Now, Iron Tail followed by another Thunder Wave, point-blank!" he said.

Down came Pikachu, his tail glowing white and slamming straight into Arcanine. After that, Pikachu gracefully moved down to land on the fire Pokemon's back and he unleashed yet another Thunder Wave. Arcanine was done for.

"Arcanine!" Gary yelled, seeing his strongest Pokemon finally unable to continue. "Return, my friend." he held up the Pokeball, returning Arcanine for a good, long rest.

"I'm impressed, Ash." he said, slapping him on the back. "You've really improved since the last time we met. I don't think I've ever had a Pokemon battle as quick and as incredible as that one."

"I aim to please, Gary. Glad you liked it." Ash said, a little snidely. The two just laughed it off, too bound by brotherly love and trust to return to their old ways.

The rest of the day involved rest and reminiscing, for in two days, the tournament would begin, and Ash needed his rest before commencing his training.

Soon, the Oak residence was quiet, all within sleeping peacefully, even Ash, who had rarely gotten a good night's sleep, the result of nightmares and constant hiding. But not tonight. Tonight was a time to lay off his burdens.


END Ch. 3