Boy Wonder

[]: Thoughts

{}:Translated Poke-speak

Chapter 3: The End of One life...

What has gone before: Ash won the Kanto League winning a triple crown of Tournaments in his region. Then after returning home Ash was kidnaped. Misty and Brock 8 months later found Ash but under circumstances they didn't expect. Ash had been brain-washed, tortured and turned into a killing machine and then he attacked them. However before a killing blow could be delivered to Misty three members of the Justice League, the Martian Manhunter, The Green Lantern and Batman stopped him from killing his friends. His sanity restored Ash went on to Professor Oaks lab and recoverd his Pokemon only to discover one more tragedy. His Beloved Mother had died. Then at the grave site a man approached and revealed himself to be Ash's father. His name... Bruce Wayne. Now we find our heros reaction to this startling revelation.

Misty and Brock where in shock. This man who stood before them was Ash's own father. Both had assumed that Ash's father was dead. He had never talked about him before and neither knew what to say for a moment. Then Bruce looked towards Misty "Are you his girlfriend?"

Misty just sighed sadly "No we're just friends. Both Brock and I are his friends."

Bruce then looked to Ash in front of the Grave who didn't hear them speak or didn't care "I take it that's... her grave." Both of them nodded in the affirmative.

Bruce then walked toward Ash and placed his hand on his shoulder. "Come on, you need to get out of the rain." Then he heard something.

"Pi....ka"

Bruce then kneeled down and saw that Ash had fainted. He then flashed back to years before... another scared, lonely boy grieving over his parents grave. [I'm sorry my son...I wish I had known about... I wish I had been there. Then maybe you wouldn't be going threw what I did. Damn it Talia, why didn't you tell me.] He looked over to Brock his face serious "You what's your name?"

"Brock sir."

"Brock give her the umbrella and come over here." He quickly did so. "Now hold this." Brock took Bruce's umbrella and held it up. As soon as Brock did that Bruce picked Ash up in his arms, which freed a trapped Pikachu who gladly cha'd a thanks, then he carried Ash back to the house. Both Misty and Brock noticed that now the lights were on in the home.

Misty decided to ask the obvious question "Mr. Wayne"

He continued walking forward without stopping. "Yes"

"Who's in the house"

"My butler Alfred."

"Oh"

Upon reaching the backdoor a somber dignified gentleman opened the door. "I take it this is Ash sir."

"Yes Alfred it is."

Alfred held the door for everybody and closed it after him. "I take it you are friends of young Ash."

"Yes I'm Brock and this is Misty. We've known Ash for about 4 years now."

"Very good."

Bruce had looked around then turned to the teens "Where is Ash's room?"

Misty automatically answered "Upstairs the second door on the right." Alfred raised an eyebrow but said nothing.

"Thank you." Bruce then went up the stairs with Ash.

"Do you two stay here often?"

Brock then turned around "When we weren't wandering the world on Ash's journey we where here. To be honest this is almost as much our home as Ash's."

"So I take it you have your own rooms then?"

Misty then answered "Yes the two extra Bedrooms were ours. Ummm Mister..."

"Alfred, Alfred Pennyworth. You may call me Alfred though."

Misty looked pensive "Alfred did Mr. Wayne know about Ash?"

"No, I'm afraid not. He didn't find out until earlier today when Prof. Oak called."

Brock then released a breath he didn't know he was holding [Well leave it to her. At least Ash didn't have a deadbeat dad. Still why didn't he know about him?]

Misty then started to steam. She was just looking for something to rant about. "Well he didn't have to be so bossy towards us. He just ordered us around like some cold-hearted bastard. Doesn't he have any idea what has happened to Ash."

She didn't notice Bruce had come back down the stairs "Unfortunately I do. I lost my parents in much the same way when I was younger then him."

Misty at that point looked down at the ground. "I'm sorry. Its just that today... so much has happened to us."

Bruce put a hand on her shoulder "I understand. You just need some sleep. You've had a long day."

Brock nodded in agreement "He's right. I know you stayed up all last night pacing around. Ash probably won't wake up until morning anyway. So staying up won't do you any good.."

"Alright already. I'll go to sleep." She then marched upstairs and disappeared for the night.

Brock then noticed that 2 other pair of eyes stared at him. "Let me guess. You want me to do the same?"

"Well young sir you yourself don't seem like you have had much rest either."

"Well you're right at that. I assume your staying here?" They nodded in the affirmative. "Well Delia's room is still open and the last guest room is as well. That's downstairs. The basement was converted apparently."

"Very good. Now you should follow your own advice."

"Well good night Alfred. Good night Mr. Wayne." Brock then headed up to his room.

"Good night."

The Two men stood there for a moment. "This has been an interesting day hasn't it Alfred?"

"Yes I do believe it has sir."

Bruce then sat down in one of the chairs. "I almost can't believe it. I haven't seen Talia in over 15 years and I find out it's because she had my son. I have a son who's almost as old as I've been Batman."

"Ms. Talia was a good woman. I know I didn't know her as well as you did but she did keep a good home it seems."

"Yes from what the Professor told me she raised Ash well."

"Master Bruce I do have one question though."

"What is it?"

"When you were talking to the Professor you didn't seem terribly surprised by what he told you."

"That's because I already knew."

"How sir?"

"J'onn did a routine test of his DNA to check for modifications and the computer noted the similarities. J'onn told me and we did a check. Thats when I found out Alfred. I'm just surprised the Professor hadn't called me earlier. If he had I would have searched for him myself. Alfred could you get me some Tea please?"

"Of course, Master Bruce." The elder gentleman then walked to the kitchen leaving Bruce to his thoughts.

[Why Talia. Why couldn't you tell me. I would have been there. But could I keep an eye on him full time? What about Ra's is that why you hid him?]

The next morning Ash awoke in his own bed, Pikachu sleeping beside him. Ash looked around his room. He got up and looked for clean clothes to wear. He looked high and low but could find nothing that fit him. All were too small except the clothes he was wearing. "Just perfect. So its either this or that damn jumpsuit. Well this day is off to a great start." Then he started to notice some more of his old things. He smiled and picked up his pokeball styled alarm clock. Then his mind wandered back to the night before he first left on his journey.

"No I can't think about her. I just need to find something to do that's all. I know I'll clean this place up a bit. That'll take my mind off things." Ash then started to pick up things left on the floor. "Damn I've not even been up 15 minutes and I already made a mess. Mom's.... Way to go Ketchum." He nodded his head sadly and got back to cleaning up. Then he noticed something. A large envelope on the Dresser. He walked over and picked it up.

"Hmmm... What's in this?" He opened it and inside was a picture and note. The picture was of him at the league tournament, just after his victory. Misty had just kissed him on the cheek and Pikachu was riding on his shoulder just living in the moment.

He then started to read the note aloud "Son, I just wanted to tell how proud I am, I always knew you'd be a pokemon master someday, and that days finally here, I'm so happy to be able to see it! and this picture I took, you've kept the secret from your mom quiet well, I do want grandkids just not yet ok? Also later I want to talk to you about your Father. I think it's time we went to see him." Ash just stood there for a second. He started to tremble and he let go of the picture and note. His fist then started to clench open and shut. His mind then flashed back to his own personal hell...

He found himself stripped to the waist strapped to a table. The only light in the room was glaring down on him so he couldn't see only hear.

"You want to be free" It was more of a challenge then a question.

"YES LET ME GO!!" Then Ash felt a harsh sting in his mind and he cried out in pain.

"You want the Pain to stop?" Again a challenge.

"YES MAKE IT STOP!!"

"THEN EMBRACE THE PAIN! EMBRACE YOUR HATRED AND ANGER AND YOUR PAIN SHALL STOP!"

Then just as he was told he did, but this time his arms and legs were free and he had nothing holding him back from the destroying whatever was in front of him. In this case his own room.

With a cry that shook the room the dresser was toppled. The various objects on it that didn't break upon the floor were crushed underfoot. Then pictures on the wall were thrown about crashing against the opposite wall or in one case destroying the mirror. Needless to say this woke up the pokemon sleeping on the bed. Pikachu was totally stunned by the rage showing on his trainers face as he destroyed the room. Pikachu was about to shock some sense into Ash when he noticed the door open and Misty came into the room.

"What's going..."the words stopped in her throat as Ash brought down the bookcase in his room with a resounding crash. Then she quickly came up to him and grabbed his shoulder. "Ash stop this now it's not going to do any good!"

Then with a cry Ash spun around throwing a punch right at her face. Misty's eyes lit up with fear as for a split second she believed that it was about to connect. Ash's eyes met hers and that one look of fear was enough to stop his rage. In a show of control neither thought Ash was possible of he stopped his fist from connecting with her nose.

The look of rage in Ash's face was quickly replaced with one of horror. The horror of what he had done to his room and what he almost done to Misty. "What..." He turned around at looked at what was left of his room. "What have I done. What have I become."

"Ash are you okay?" He turned back to Misty and saw the look of worry and pity in her eyes. A look he never wanted to see there. He then ran past Misty and out his door.

Ash ran downstairs and out to the back yard. He stood silently for a second then he headed toward the hill and what was at the top. As he came to the top he noticed he was not the first to reach it. There was man at the top.

[Who's this guy? Why does he seem so famialar?]

Bruce placed a single red rose at the grave and stayed in a kneeling positon. "Well it's been a long time hasn't it Talia."

Ash got a quizzical look on his face [Who's Talia?]

"Almost 15 years now. Things changed for you didn't they. They had to if you changed your name. Heh. Although just about any last name is better then Head."

[Head? If that's what it was then thank god she changed it.]

Bruce stood up. "It looks like you made a good life for yourself and Ash. My son seems like a fine young man. I just wish we got to meet under better circumstances."

[So he's my father. Well maybe I should introduce myself.] "So do I."

Bruce was then subject to reaction he rarely was used to, surprise. He turned around quickly an saw Ash. "Well at least this time your awake."

Ash then had a sheepish look on his face "Sorry about that. I've always had a knack for sneaking up on people. Mom always said it must have been an inherited trait."

Bruce took a measuring look "What else did she tell you about me?"

"Not much mostly vague things. Nothing like your name."

"Well perhaps it's time I should introduce myself. Bruce Wayne."

Then Ash turned thoughtful "So that's where she got it from."

"Get what from?" Now it was Ash's turn to be startled as Misty had come up behind him .

"My middle name. Ashton Bruce Ketchum."

"That's your middle name?"

"Yeah" Ash then looked up in the air "Always wondered where she got it from." Then his gaze turned to the headstone. "Guess now I know."

"Ash what happened back there?"

"...."

Bruce then got a curious look. "What happened?'

"Well Mr. Wayne your boy here trashed he room but good. So Ash you gonna answer my question?"

Ash turned away from both of their stares. "I don't want to talk about it."

"Okay then can you tell me why you're wearing the same clothes from last night?"

"Nothing else fits."

"Oh"

Bruce then got a thoughtful look on his face. "I can correct that easily enough. Misty maybe you and Brock should stay here and clean up the mess and I'll get Ash some new clothes."

Ash then turned back to his father. "You don't need to do that. It would be way too much trouble."

"Not really It's not like I can't afford it. Being rich does have benefits after all."

Ash got a questioning look on his face "You're rich?"

Then something clicked for Misty "Wait you're the Bruce Wayne. The Millionare play... philanthropist from Gotham City?"

He gave Misty a look that if it could kill it would make her wish she was dead but his voice did not change tone "Yes I am."

"Still you don't need to.."

"Yes I do. You also need to get cleaned up before we go see Prof. Oak.. He said he has something we both need to see."

"What is it?"

"I'm not sure. Come on Alfred will stay here and help Misty and Brock clean up." He then led Ash off but not before giving Misty a look that would allow no debate.

Later on at Professor Oaks Lab/Home Misty, Brock, Gary and Richie were waiting for Ash and Bruce to arrive.

Misty was beginning to get impatient "Where are they? It's not like he's buying a new wardrobe."

Richie leaned over to Brock "Well good to see that she hasn't changed any."

Brock whispered back "Yeah I just think she wants to get some time alone with him again."

"Ya think."

Gary then in his cocky tone "You know if I didn't know any better I swear you were upset that he wasn't spending time with you Misty."

Misty blushed but then glared at Gary "Shut up Oak. Who asked you."

Gary smirked "You know I think you two must have been rubbing off on each other. You are as easy to mess with as Ash and he shops like a Girl."

"Excuse me do you all know where Professor Oak is?" They all noticed a young man who had walked into the room, he was dressed in a dark red collared shirt, black jeans, black shoes, and black shades. Following behind him was a Pikachu. All stood there for a moment looking at him. He looked familiar to them but with he short slicked back hair they couldn't place him.

Misty drooled at how he looked. [Whoa girl. No good turning into Brock. He's not as cute as Ash anyway. Well maybe if he cleaned himself up a bit Ash....wait a second I know that Pikachu] "Ash. What the hell did you do to yourself?" Then everyone else realized who it was.

Ash took of his shades "I just wanted a new look that's all."

Richie then asked "Hey where's your hat?"

"At home. I didn't want hat hair just after getting a new hair cut. Da.... Fa... Mr. Wayne and Alfred will be here in a second so where is the professor?"

"Gramps is in His Lab. I'll go get him and tell him you're here."

Bruce and Alfred then walked in and everyone waited in silence for a minute for Gary to bring back his grandfather. "Ah well your both here. If you two would follow me Delia had a recording she wanted you two to see if... Well come along." Bruce and Ash followed Oak. Misty got up to go along when Brock stopped her.

"Brock what are you doing?"

"Simple. It's family business and as close as we are to him we're not family. If they wanted us to come along they would have asked."

"But Brock we're closer to him than anyone. Not even his own father knows him as well."

Then Alfred spoke "While that may be true. I know Master Bruce. He is a terribly private person and I suspect his son is much the same."

Misty then quietly sat back down. [He's right. Ash always seemed a very public person but he kept so much to himself. I could tell that he keep a lot inside.]

Professor Oak led them to a small room with a TV and VCR sitting in front of a table and two chairs.

"I'll Put in the tape and then I'll go. It was ment to be seen only by you two. That's what her will said anyway." Samual Oak put the tape in, pushed play and walked out.

The screen Started off black but then some one appeared on the Screen. It was the late Delia Ketchum, but she looked different. To Ash she looked a bit younger and her hair was done differently. It was down and some of it seemed to cover her face. Then she began to speak.

"Hello Beloved. Hello my son. If your watching this tape then I can assume that something has happened to me. I made this tape to say goodbye and to let you both know I loved you both. You two are more important than anyone else in the world. I also made it for you to know my final wishes for you both and to also maybe answer some questions you may have. Ash I want you to get to know your Father. Don't hold the fact that he wasn't there against him. If you want to blame anyone blame me. Beloved, I'm sorry I never told you about Ash. When I discovered that I was pregnant I was scared. I'm sure you can understand why. That's why I decided to change my name to protect our son."

She took a breath. "I had hoped to eventually bring us all together and be a true family, but now it seems that this is impossible. Bruce please take care of my baby. He is my entire world but also if he decides to go off on his journey please let him do so. I know he will be a master and achieve his dream. I also know that he would be a worthy heir to his father's legacy. I know he'd make you proud. Now for some details that you might already know but I want to say them out loud. My home and everything in it I want to go to Ash. Bruce hold it and take care of it until he comes of age and don't ever let him give up on his dream whatever that maybe. Ash... You were my whole world, I've nearly lost you a few times. I know that and I know you tried to keep that from me like on Shaomoti. Please take care of yourself. I love you son, and remember one thing."

Her face turned serious for a moment "Change your you know whats every day. That's an order." The she smiled and laughed then the screen turned black.

Both Bruce and Ash sat there for a second. Then Ash began to sob. He put his face in his hands and cried.

Bruce then pulled out a handkerchief and gave it to Ash. "The time for tears have past son, tell me...what do you want to do about it?"

Ash just looked at him confused. "I..."

"You don't have to answer me now but if you want to come I have something I want to show you when we get to Gotham. Only though when you have you answer." Ash could only nod.

Later on after Ash had calmed down him Bruce, Misty, Brock and Alfred returned to the Ketchum home. Ash sat with Pikachu on his lap in the living room. Misty, who was the only other occupant, then decided to ask a question.

"Ash, penny for your thoughts?"

"I'm thinking about what to do next. About what to do with my life." [About how to keep you safe from me.]

"What's there to think about. I thought we'd hit a different Pokemon league or something."

[If only it were that simple anymore.] "I'm not sure I want to...yet anyway."

"Well you have just now recovered. Brock and me haven't had a real time of rest since... it happened. I guess a vacation would be nice."

Ash then stood up and placed Pikachu on the ground "Come on Pikachu lets take a walk outside."

"Pika" {sure}

"Sounds good to me Ash."

"Sorry Misty. I need some time to myself. To think. Okay?" [And if I lose it again I know you won't be hurt.]

Misty looked a bit hurt but nodded . "Okay Ash. Take your time." [Is he avoiding me?]

Once outside Ash just started walking and Pikachu followed.

"You know what little buddy. This I think is the first time we've had some time to be together just the two of us in a long time."

Pikachu just ran and hopped up on his shoulder {Yeah. Your right.}

"I'm just glad your alright Pikachu. Not knowing how you were these last few months was just killing me."

{You and me both.}

"So do you think we should just head on out?"

{Hell yeah.} Pikachu poked his own stomach {I need to get back into shape.}

"I'm just not sure. I don't think my hearts in it right now. I mean I did it. I am a master. What's the point. Do I just keep on battleing? Is that all I'm going to be?."

{I thought that was your dream. To be a master trainer.}

"It is or was... I don't know. Hell I'm not even sure of who I am anymore!"

Ash and Pikachu had walked quite a ways by this point and now found themselves on the top of a hill. Ash stopped and looked towards the setting sun. Then he sat down.

"Pikachu. Can I tell you secret?

The electric mouse nodded {Sure}

"They broke me Pikachu. They made me their killing machine."

{No they didn't. Your fine now. You didn't kill anyone.}

"No I didn't, but only because someone stopped me... Pikachu I was gonna kill her. I was an inch away from killing Misty. To top it off. The killer is still in here. In my head."

{What?}

"When I trashed my room... that was him. I almost hit Misty."

{Is that why you wouldn't let her come with us.}

Ash nodded sadly "I can't trust myself near her. I could never live with myself if I hurt her."

{Ash you would never hurt Misty. If you could have you wouldn't have stopped yourself back there.}

"No. I was lucky. What if next time I couldn't stop myself. I can't take that risk. Maybe if I find a way to control it then I could but until then..."

{Ash? What are you talking about?}

Ash stood up, ran his fingers through his hair and looked at his friend. "Come on Pikachu. I have to announce something to everyone."

Back at the House Alfred was serving Dinner when Ash returned.

Misty was the first to greet him. "How was your walk Ash."

"It was nice. Saw a good sunset while I was out there." Ash then to Misty and Brocks surprise ate rather sedately. Both of them gave him curious looks.

"Ash" Brock said "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine... all things considered, anyway." No one need elaboration on that point.

Bruce after swallowing a bite of his meal. "Ash I don't mean to hurry you but Tomorrow I need to return to Gotham. I have work to catch up on there. Are you coming with me to Gotham?"

Ash put down his fork and looked over the table. "Well I guess now is as good a time as any. Yes I want to go to Gotham."

Both Brock and Misty got hopeful looks in their eyes and Misty asked "So how long are we going to be in Gotham before we hit the American League Gyms?"

Ash then had a regretful look on his face. "Not us Mist. Just me. I don't think I'll get back to training for while. I think you can consider me retired.."

Brock just sat there slack-jawed and Misty was just as stunned.

Alfred just looked on and gave a supporting smile and Bruce seemed unreadable until he spoke. "Are you sure this is what you want?"

"Yes. I don't know you that well but I'd like to."

"Then we'll leave in the Morning."

"I do have one question though?"

"What is it?"

"Can I bring my Pokemon? At least Pikachu?"

"I think arrangements for them can be made to accommodate all of them. Wait how many do you have?"

"I'll only be bringing the lead Toros so 13 total."

Alfred then got a curious look on his face. "What Pokemon do you have master Ash?"

Ash then seemed to think for a second "Pikachu, Bayleaf, Charizard, Cindaquil, Bulbasaur, Tododile, Heracross, Pidgeot, Noctowl, Kingler, Lavitar, Phanphy, Toros, and oh wait I forgot about Muk so 14.

Alfred noticeably winced at the last name. "I see. Some of those are known to be rather hard to raise young sir."

"You're telling me. Charizard gave me no end of trouble after he first evolved. You know much about pokemon Alfred?"

"Oh yes. A long time ago when I was a boy my parents lived in Saffron City. I had a few pokemon myself."

Bruce then looked over to his butler "I didn't know that."

"It was a very long time ago..."

Ash then took one last bite. "Well I'm done. I Think I'll go pack so we're ready to go in the morning." He picked up his plate and put it in the sink and walked out of the Kitchen.

Misty only looked on as he did. [Ash...why? I just got you back.... I can't believe you're leaving.]

The next day Ash got up early and left the house with Bruce and Alfred. Then they returned to the house and left for the Airport. The private jet was waiting for them as Ash began to make his good byes. Ash stood there with Pikachu on his shoulder, next to Alfred and Bruce standing in front of his friends.

Alfred took Ash's carry one bag and Bruce put his hand on Ash's free shoulder "We'll be in the plane. When your done here we'll go, Okay?" Ash nodded and Bruce and Alfred went to the plane.

Then Ash was alone with his Mentor Professor Oak, his rival Gary Oak, and his friends Tracey, Richie, Brock and Misty.

"I really don't know what to say guys."

Tracey then took the initiative as walked up to Ash. "Ash I owe you a lot man. Especially sense you got me the chance to work with the Professor as his assistant. Ash you just take care of yourself and don't be a stranger." Tracey then shook Ash's hand and stepped back to the others.

Next Richie approached to say his good-bye. "Well Ash... I guess this is it then."

Ash just nodded. "Yeah it is."

"Ash I'm really bad at good-bye and I really doubt that we'll never meet again. So I won't say good-bye. I am glad to see that you became a Master and the next time we meet I'll be one too. See you Ash."

Richie then nodded to the others and walked off to continue his journey. Now Professor Samual Oak came up to Ash.

"Well my boy you've done well for yourself. You have some good friends here and I'm glad to have had you as a student of mine. I wish you weren't retiring from training but I won't try to convince you not to. Ash your mom was a magnificent woman when I met her and you are every bit her son. I wish you well."

Then Gary just walked up to Ash. They just kinda stared at each other for about a minute. Just about everyone Ash included expected one of them to possibly throw a punch. Then something completely unexpected happened. Gary grabbed Ash in to a bear hug. Gary nearly squeezed the life out of Ash. When he let Ash go Ash could see the Gary had tears in his eyes that he held back but his voice was a cocky as ever. "I don't believe for a second that your quitting. When you come back Ketchum I'm gonna kick your ass in the rematch you owe me." Then Gary turned around and walked off to his Grandfather. He faced away from all the others and stayed that way.

"Well that was unexpected" was all Ash could say. Then he noticed Brock was now next to him.

"Your telling me Ash. Well then Ash I know you need to do this. I'm no expert when it comes to father/son relationships but I do consider you family. You've always been like a little brother to me and now your leaving. I'm gonna miss you bro." Brock the hugged Ash lightly and when he finished he continued. "You know this is just killing her Ash."

"I know Brock. Its just that I have to do this on my own."

"Are you coming back?"

Ash was silent for a moment and seemed to consider his words carefully "Take care of her for me will you Brock."

"I see. Take care brother."

"You to... brother."

They hugged one more time and then Brock walked over to Tracey and they began talking. Ash then turned around was about to leave when one more voice spoke up.

"You're not going to go without saying anything to me Ash Ketchum."

(She Follows the path of least resistance)

"Misty..."

(She doesn't care to see the mountain top)

"Ash why are you going?" Misty now stepped in front of Ash to block his path.

(She twists and turns with no regard to distance)

"I need to get to know my father."

(She never comes to a stop)

"Then why can't I go."

(And she rolls, she's a river)

"I have my reasons."

(Where she goes, time will tell)

"Then why can't you say them"

(Heaven knows, he can't go with her)

"..."

(And she rolls, all by herself)

(All by herself)

"Well."

(He's headed for a single destination)

"I just don't want any distractions."

(He doesn't care what's standing in his path)

Ash then started to walk past Misty only to have her grab his shoulder.

(He's a line between two points of separation)

"Am I a distraction."

(He ends just where it says to on the map)

Ash just stood there motionless and said nothing.

(And he rolls, he's a highway)

Misty spun him around and looked him in the eyes.

(Where he goes, time will tell)

His eyes seemed cold but Misty swore she saw something was being held back.

(Heaven knows, she can't go with him)

He turned his face to the side and looked away from her "I'm sorry Misty."

(And he rolls, all by himself)

"No. Its not good enough. Ash...please don't go."

(All by himself)

"I have to Misty."

(And every now and then, he offers her a shoulder)

"No you don't" Misty then hugged Ash and seemed determined not to let go.

(And every now and then, she overflows)

Ash was about make her let go when she did something else he didn't expect

(And every now and then, a bridge crosses over)

She kissed him. With everything she had she kissed him.

(It's a moment that every lover knows)

The kiss ended as suddenly as it began

(And she rolls (and he rolls)

Misty looked into his eyes and then saw the pain in his eyes

(She's a river (he's a highway)

"I'm sorry Misty. I really am.

(Where she goes (where he goes)

Ash then embraced Misty again

(Time will tell (Time will tell)

"I have go Misty."

(Heaven knows she can't go with him (he can't go with her)

He let her go and began to walk off.

(And she rolls all by herself)

Tears began to form in her eyes "Good bye."

(And he rolls all by himself)

Ash then turned around and waved.

(Fare thee well)

Then Ash walked to the plane before he could lose his self-control and release the tears that threatened to appear.

Once on the plane both Alfred and Bruce noticed his state. "I just need some time to myself." Ash then sat down and as he looked out the window he let the tears start to come.[It's the way it has to be Misty. If I could I'd let you come but... It's useless. Face it Ketchum, you can never see her again. Its for her own good.] The only comfort Ash would allow himself was holding Pikachu as he cried silently.

An hour later Misty and Brock had just arrived at the former Ketchum home. Misty walked in first.

"I need a drink. How about you Brock."

"Sure.

She walked thought the living room to go to the kitchen only to be stopped dead in her tracks. Then the tears she had been holding back since Ash's plane had taken off finally were released.

The sound of her crying brought Brock into the room.

"Misty whats....oh I see." Then Brock held his friend close as she cried. She did not stop crying for a long time.

There in the middle of the room was a shiny new bicycle and sitting in the basket was a hat. It was Ash's Pokemon League Expo hat.

End Arc One.

Next Chapter: Now Ash has left his old life behind seemingly forever. Now Ash must adjust to life in Gotham City. Next Chapter " and the beginning of a new one." What lays ahead for our hero?

Authors Notes: Well that ends the first Story arc of Boy Wonder. Which I call Death. Next chapter begins the second arc of the fic which I call Take Flight. Now before you all kill me do you really think that this is the last you'll see of Brock and Misty. Well maybe. If I get a good enough responce I might bring them back in. Well I hope you enjoyed this chapter. I want to thank my good friend Classic Cowboy for helping me with this chapter. Which he did... a lot. It was his suggestion for the song in this chapter. Which is Pam Tillis' The River and the Highway. When he suggested it and I heard it I knew it fit that scene far too well not to be included.. Well please review and let me know what you think, Also if you want an email for when I update or a question (which I will answer) you can email me at Fusionblaster@Yahoo.com