Decisions for Life
[By Flygon]
Chapter 2

Legal stuff: I do not own Pokemon, Game Freak, Creatures, Nintendo, or any of the Affiliated companies. This fic is pure free stuff for you to read. I do hope that you enjoy it. It will be a long one.

Author's note: I got this idea a while back, inspired by many fics I have read in the past from many different places. I rate this one at PG-13 to R due to some of the violence, some language, some descriptive scenes, mentions of situations dealing with drugs, sex, and a few others. This is NOT a lemon, though. I may at some point do one, but This isn't it. Further Note here: I could not find the last name of several of the Anime Characters, so I took some literary licence here, sorry.

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Daniel was back in his bed, but there was a difference. He had four visitors. The hospital trustees bent the rules to allow this and that shocked the young boy more then anything. The other thing that shocked him was the fact that the intensive care unit was now empty save for him. The doctors had assured him that would not last, though. Daniel found himself hoping that it would last, for a little while at least. He turned his attention to his visitors.

There was Kalie in her wheelchair, still with wet eyes and a big smile. Then there was the man who had joined Kalie. He had a head of reddish brown hair that looked like a haystack had exploded, he also had beard, trimmed short that joined sideburns and went up under the hairline. He had a kind smile. There was the woman, who was so much like an older version of Kalie, it had to be her mother, she also smiled a lot. Then there was a new man who wore a three piece suit, and carried a briefcase with him. They told Daniel that his name was Chad Echart. He had china blue eyes that seemed to twinkle and a head of bright blonde hair.

"First, I think I should introduce myself, and my wife." He told Daniel. "I am Byron Terraton, the Gym leader in Canaclave City. This is my wife, Katie." He indicated the woman. "And of course, you have met our daughter, Kalie, and known her for a bit." He smiled. "I have to tell you, our daughter is a lonely girl. With my wife working in the library and running the pokemon shop in the city, and me running the gym and my fossil hunting, she seems to lack a lot of friends. Her only brother is the Gym leader in Oreburg City and rarely can come to visit. Kalie is quite taken by you, and I hope this doesn't hurt your feelings, but she thinks of you like a brother, which is why she seems to pester you so much. She cares about you, and has told us everything she learned about you."

"That spurred me into finding out more." Byron winked at Daniel "I searched through the paper archives and records. Father Peter Logan, mother Lois, no siblings. Father was into Stocks and bond trade in Goldenrod City in Jhoto, and got a promotion and was moving to Sinnoh. Ran into the remnants of an older accident, tires blew out, he lost control. The rest you can figure." He saw Daniel nod. "The reason I did this was to try to figure out who had managed to get this close to our daughter. Oh, and I discovered another little fact. Both you and Kalie were born two days apart, Now comes the surprise part. If you wish, and only if you wish, Katie and I are willing to foster you for now." He saw Daniels eyes widen in shock and surprise. "This is possibly stage one. After a while, if you find this is working out for you, and you like us enough, we can change that fostering to a full adoption. We watched you ever since you seemed to get our daughter interested in you. We watched you during your therapy sessions, and managed to get permission to watch you through the nurses station while you were with Kalie. That told us that you were a caring person. And what you did in that therapy session today, it showed me that you have the same drive that my whole family has. that's why I use rock and steel pokemon."

"That's my cue," Chad said in a light voice. "I was already introduced to you, but I will repeat. I am Chad Echart, I'm the Pokemon League's attorney and I am also asked to preform a few added functions for many of the execs of the League." He looked around the room. "I was asked to draw up the papers for the fostering agreement. This agreement is simple. The Terraton family agrees to provide you with food and shelter, just as if you were their own child. You would agree to follow their instructions and directives, that means rules, Daniel. Just as if they were your parents. If at any time, either of you find that this isn't working out, the agreement can be cancelled. Now, if you wish, I can contact a judge who will appoint a lawyer to you to look over the agreement and advise you. Note I said 'if you wish'. With a fostering agreement like this a court appointed attorney is not necessary, unlike an adoption where it is required. If you wish to accept the agreement, then you simply need to sign here, or put your thumbprint here, if you can't seem to write yet."

Daniel looked from face to face. He searched their eyes and saw the beginnings of affection in both of the parents. He felt his eyes begin to fill. He saw affection plain in the eyes of Kalie and knew then that somebody did want him. He wouldn't be alone here.

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Daniel was now in the Paediatric Ward. His bed was near one of the four bathrooms for that particular room and he also had a wheelchair near the bed, so he didn't need to tax himself. Gone were the IVs and the liquid or semi-solid diet. He was now on full food, and he found that he had an appetite. He also found that his legs were gaining in strength, and quickly. He was doing a lot of walking in the ward, and he was somewhat famous to a lot of the other kids. They had never seen a person who had been in a coma for as long as Daniel and woken up. While he was there, he made some friends. Both of his new foster parents told him that he would have a full sized computer at 'home' and also told him his email address. He spent a lot of time exchanging email address with the other kids, with Kalie at his side.

Katie came in one day and gave Daniel a package which turned out to be a set of pyjamas, with matching slippers. It was lite blue with red and white pokeballs on it, and had gold and silver toned pokeballs for buttons. He changed in the bathroom and was glad to get rid of the two gowns he had normally worn. Kalie and Daniel were, for the most part, inseparable. They would go to the Therapy room together. When Kalie had to be lowered into the tub for what they called Hydrotherapy, he would sit facing a blank wall with his back to her. But he still would keep up a conversation. She would do the same when it was his time. Then they went to the physical therapy. Daniel graduated first from simple walking on the floor, to walking on a treadmill, then to an excersize bike. As always, he would add a few reps or minutes on. Kalie did the same and it became a game. They would sit on the bikes and pedal, while watching a special show on the TV, where it was only scenery. It looked like they were riding bikes through the various regions. Kalie always urged him on, and he returned the favour. Then came their birthdays. The parents decided since there was only a two day period separating them, they would combine the two and celebrate them on one day.

When the day arrived, Daniel got out of bed and walked to the bathroom where he washed up and brushed his teeth, then walked back. He met Kalie while she waited for him in her chair, and she had to actually argue with him to get into his. He had wanted to walk it, but then a quick glare from his new sister, stopped him cold. She told him that if he tired himself out, or over extended himself, then he could go backwards. They both left the now deserted ward, and wheeled themselves out into the hall where a sign pointed to the solarium and had another somewhat aged sign that proclaimed "Reserved for Birthday Party".

It was when they entered the Solarium that they realized that this was not an ordinary birthday party. They saw the whole ward there, all sitting, or talking. Many doctors, and of course Byron and Katie were there. But, and this is when Daniel silently thanked Kalie for teaching him this, were a perfusion of other people. Daniel and Kalie recognized them all, though. There was Lance the head of the Kanto League, Drake, The dragon master of Hoenn. Jasmine from Olivine City was talking with Byron, and so was Roark. But the big shock to the two kids was when they saw who was talking to Lance. It was Ash Ketchum, with a girl who had a head of orange red hair that she wore down. She also had a carry sling on her front with a baby in it. They were deep in conversation and Daniel could hear them clearly.

"I know it sounds crazy, Lance." Ash said. "We know it isn't one of the true legendaries, but I never expected to find this."

"Are you sure?" Lance responded. "I don't doubt you, but did you get the pokedex checked? It could be a glitch."

"Scan it for yourself." Ash offered handing a basket to the man. "It could be a glitch, but then if it isn't, I would like to have my dad, Elm, Birch, and Rowan look into it."

They watched as Lance took his pokedex and scanned the contents of the basket.

"I'll be damned." He muttered, after he looked at the readings. "No glitch.

"It may mean that at least that one can breed well." Ash suggested. "When I flew over the area on Charizard, I saw four other groups of the same."

"Probably right." Lance said thoughtfully. "If you would send one each to Oak and Rowan. Elm and Birch can go back and forth to check them out. Either Oak or Rowan have more space on their labs and grounds then both Elm and Birch, combined. What about that other problem? The one with your dad?"

"Not really a problem." Ash told him. "One of the Kanto trainers went to Unova and vanished. They found his pokedex, and a sleeve of pokeballs at a four week old camping area, but no sign of him. The problem that is there, is that Dad has a few pairs of Unova pokemon, and no trainer to claim them. He knew I would be meeting with you, so he asked me what should be done with them."

"Did they show signs of training?" The dragon master of Kanto asked.

"Nope." Ash replied. "Dad said that they were fresh caught and had no training. And that still doesn't tell me what I am going to do with the other two in this basket."

"Raise them." Lance told him simply. "And the Unova pokemon too."

"Dammit Lance," Ash exclaimed, with a frown. "I have enough on my plate with that project you and President Goodshow saddled me with, as well as trying to raise a son." He shook his head. "I don't have the time. And it's the same with Jasmine, Byron, even Steven is too busy." He looked like he was thinking, then he looked at Lance. "I think I have an idea, but I want to talk it over with you, Lets go into the Hallway."

They watched as the three came right by them, Ash smiled and winked, and then they went into the hall, closing the door behind them. They spent the time going to different groups to talk, when Byron pointed to a large table that had cards piled on it.

"Birthday wishes from every gym leader in Kanto, Jhoto, Hoenn, Sinnoh and the Orange Islands." He grinned. "Not to mention, the Elite Four from those regions. There are some gifts too." He pointed to a small pile of wrapped boxes on another table. "Your a little on the famous side, Danny, and our daughter is reaping the side benefits."

"Me?... Famous?..." he stammered out.

He was just getting used to the idea that one, he had a family now that seemed to care about him. Two, he was having a birthday party, which he had not had since his parents were killed when they were too close to the towers in New York when those terrorists hit them with a plane. His other family would simply say happy birthday, give him some money then go off on their own little business. Now he was supposed to be famous?

"A little." Byron laughed at the bewildered look on Danny's face. "You were in a coma for a little over two years, and then you woke. Not many do that. Plus, you are now a member of our family, that brings a bit of fame with it. Not many of the gym leaders have all that many children. And even less of the Gym leaders adopt or foster children, which brings some more fame. Don't be surprised if when we finally get you two home you have a large welcome home party."

They saw Ash, the girl and Lance come back in, with smiles on their faces. They closed in on Byron.

Soon the food was served. Nurse Crimban was once again pressed into service in the Paediatric ward and helped serve. All the kids seemed to have a hard time stifling a round of giggles seeing the older nurse with a cone like party hat sitting on her hair bun. The songs were sung and the cake was brought out. It looked like a pair of pokeballs with nine candles on each one. Danny made his wish, though he had hard time figuring out what he would wish for. He felt a little like the kid who had it all, right now. They then began to open all the cards, and soon each sat at a table with open cards propped up from all over league area. even two from a region that had not officially entered the league yet, called Orre. Each found one card in a gold leaf sealed envelope with the instructions on it to open this one last. When they did, they saw it was a card that was signed by Ash Ketchum, Misty Ketchum, Steven Ketchum, and a small paw print. Also was the words: See me Now.

They looked toward Ash and saw he had set up a laptop on a table. The laptop had the League symbol on the top. Next to him was a pair of pokedexs and two sleeves, like trainers carried. Then there was a large covered basket near him too. He seemed to be talking to Lance as they approached him.

"It's only three," Lance was saying. "plus one from Byron, so it's not like your party here a few years ago."

"I know." Ash told him. "But then there is Volkner and Wattson, who sent those in." He looked at Lance. "I am just wondering if that is too much for now."

"Ash, your being contrary." Lance laughed. "Your brothers, Tommy and Eddie got a lot more then that at that party here, and you didn't object. If your worried about their capabilities, just remember who their father is, foster or not. He can help. Besides, all the region heads said no prob, and President Goodshow OK'd it. Oh and to let you know, your dad, said he already knew that those could breed, they just need an available ditto. There seems to be a rash of them recently. I'll ask Duplica to look into it."

"Al-right." Ash conceded. "Just help me set the timer thing here so it will click over on the proper day. And good idea about Duplica, Just wait till she gives birth, OK? I don't want to have to deal with Gary when he gets into hyper worry mode." He laughed then turned to the kids. "Well, I hope you two are having a good time at your party."

"Yes sir." they both said at the same time, causing some laughter.

"Ash, my name is Ash." He mechanically corrected. "Since I became a tri champ, four or five years ago I have been able to licence trainers who have reached the age of nine."

"Si... Ash." Daniel corrected himself quickly when Ash gave him a sharp look. "I thought the age for getting your pokemon trainers licence was ten?"

"That's what I thought too," Ash grinned. "When I was told that a Tri-champ, any of the Elite four, or the heads of the region can go one year earlier. It gives some of us something else to do besides public appearances, ribbon cutting ceremonies, and the like. Now, I can't officially licence Kalie yet, but I can set a timer on her pokedex so when her real ninth birthday hits the day after tomorrow, it will automatically show her as a licensed trainer."

He plugged the pokedex into the laptop, keyed in a few things, then leaned back so Lance could do his override and set the timer, before pointing the video pick-up of the pokedex at Kalie and clicking the mouse on the 'photo' button. He did the same for Daniel, minus the override since he was nine already. Then he looked at both and became serious.

"Normally now, I would hand you your choice of starter pokemon, or you would pick from a selection from Professor Rowan. The problem is that the Professor has none at the moment. I do however have two pair of pokemon that belonged to a trainer that vanished a year ago, and hasn't been heard of or from since. The pokemon need to have somebody to care for them. They come from the Unova region, and as chance would have it they have the steel element in them, so they sort of fit the family type for you." He looked at both of them. "Thing here is, there are two pair of each type. That means that you two will be getting two pokemon from that region. And," he stressed the word to snap them out of their shock. "We recently discovered an extremely rare pokemon. It was known that it could breed, with the aid of a ditto, only to a few people. Now there are going to be greater numbers of it. I found four eggs and sent one each to Professor Oak, and Professor Rowan. After getting permission from the region heads, and president Goodshow, I will be giving you two one egg each. The pokemon that hatches from this egg, will be rare, and possibly powerful, so pay attention to your father since he knows how to train strong pokemon. And lastly, both Volkner, from Sinnoh, and Wattson from Hoenn sent you a magnamite."

Ash plugged a cord into pokeballs and started to change the registration on each of them.

"The first of the Unova pokemon is called klink. It is pure steel type. If you want to breed them, you will have to get a ditto for that. The other Unova type is called ferroseed, and is a steel/grass type. And the egg," he paused for a moment, before continuing. "is a heatran. a fire/steel type that was once considered among the legendary types, till it was discovered that it could breed and the fact that there were more then one. It will always be rare, but with the discovery of the breeding, there will be more that may be caught. Listen to your father with this one. And finally, your magnimites." He keyed in the last number. "Your father has a pokemon for each of you too, but he can reg it, and it would be better at that if he did. I would like for you to promise me that you will wait at least three to four months after you get home before you start your journey. That should help you get back in the swing of life outside the hospital." He saw both the kids nod.

The Party over, they all returned to the Paediatric Ward. All agreed that the eggs should go to the Gym, due to the fact that a heatran had a high internal temperature that might prove dangerous to the hospital. While in the ward, they took turns letting out their pokemon, and some of the other children would admire or pet them. Then all the pokemon were recalled and the kids had their dinner, before watching some television and then went to bed. As he nodded off, Daniel found himself praying that this was not some dream and he 'heard' a mental 'voice' say it wasn't.

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Another Chapter done. Hope you all enjoy this, I am getting a huge kick writing these. OH, and I got a couple of emails. No Daniel is not a dup of me. Ash is appearing in this chapter only. The pokemon world events in this and other of my fics are based off my first fic: "Shadows on the Heart, Windows to the Soul". And Yes, I used to write Fics for Fanzines in my younger days. I have a little bit over nine years of writing experience.

NEXT: Daniel and his new family head home, and Daniel learns some things about himself and about the rewards for being good.