Ash Ketchum: Formula One Driver
Disclaimers:
I don't own Pokémon. They are the sole property of Game Freak, that Satoshi Tajiri guy, the WB, 4Kids Entertainment and Nintendo (wish I did own Pokémon). As for Formula One and the teams and tracks, I don't own them either (wish I did, again). Formula One is governed by the FIA, so they own it. Rich people in Europe own the teams of Formula One and rich people in Europe also own the tracks.
If you want to know more about Formula One, go to www.formula1.com. One of the best sites for Formula One news, races and other stuff!!! If you want to know what I think about F1, e-mail me as well.
Mario's Notes:
In the last chapter, a 17-year-old Ash Ketchum was racing at Germany and we take a look he got to Formula One. 4 years ago, Ash (who was 13 at the time) and Pikachu went out to catch some Pokémon, when Team Rocket ambushed them. Jessie, James, Butch, Cassidy and Meowth let Ash have it with everything they had, but an unexpected arrival of Charizard help even the odds. Near the end of the battle, James lost his cool. He took out a gun and shot the young trainer while using tranquilizer darts on Pikachu and Charizard. All was almost lost until Mewtwo came to Ash's rescue. With a powerful energy blast, the Psychic Pokémon blew Team Rocket away and knocked out Meowth. Mewtwo got Pikachu and Meowth back to health and a lost Michael Schumacher ran into them.
This chapter starts after Michael heard what happened to Ash from Meowth and he put Ash in the car and took off to Blackthorn City. I start this chapter from there.
Ash Ketchum: Formula One Driver
Chapter 2:Ash Meets Michael Schumacher
It only took Michael Schumacher 7 minutes to get to the Mahogany Town Hospital. Meowth and Pikachu held on for dear life as the greatest driver in the world showed why he is called that. Michael missed hitting cars and people as he raced through the streets at 100 MPH. Ash's battle took him well away from the Pokémon Center where he left Misty and Brock. The 4-time Formula One World Champion sped into the Hospital Emergency entrance, where some doctors had to jump out of the way.
"Hey!! I need some help!!! I got a kid here who was shot!!!" Michael yelled out to the doctors that were nearby,
"We'll take care of this!! Get a stretcher at the emergency entrance, stat!!!" One of the doctors yelled out. Another doctor helped Michael carry Ash out of the car, placed him on the stretcher and straight to emergency surgery. Michael, Meowth and Pikachu went to the waiting room to await anything on Ash's condition. Pikachu was feeling like he failed to protect his trainer, but there was nothing the mouse Pokémon could do. It wasn't long before Meowth broke the silence.
"Excuse me, sir. Where did you learn to drive like that?" Meowth asked, amazed that the man who got Ash to the town never lost control of the car and looked so calm as he raced on the razor's edge.
"I'm a driver on the FIA Formula One world circuit." Michael answered,
"Formula what? I've never heard of that." Meowth said. The 4-time World Champion was totally shocked.
Nobody has even heard of me?!! What kind of backwater country is this?!!! It's like a third-world country! I am going to KILL Ralf when I see him!!! Michael thought as suppressed his anger and calmed himself down.
"Hey, sir. Are you all right?" Meowth asked,
"Pika pika?" Pikachu added,
"I don't believe this. Haven't you people ever heard of Michael Schumacher, Rubens Barrichello, Mika Hakkinen, David Coulthard, Ralf Schumacher, Juan Pablo Montoya, Nick Heidfeld, Kimi Raikkonen, Jacques Villeneuve, Olivier Panis, Giancarlo Fisichella, Jenson Button, Heinz-Harald Frentzen, Jarno Trulli, Jean Alesi, Luciano Burti, Eddie Irvine, Pedro de la Rosa, Jos Verstappen, Enrique Bernoldi, Fernando Alonso, Tarso Marques and Alex Yoong? Any of them?!!" Michael said out loud in frustration, yelling out the names of the drivers who competed in the 2001 F1 season. His bellyaching for the got the attention of everybody who was near him and it scared them a lot. Meowth and Pikachu were starting to get a bit scared. Michael just looked around at everybody and sat back down, while mutering a few choice words in German.
"Who was that guy?" A doctor asked,
"I think it was Jeff Gordon." Another doctor answered,
"That isn't Gordon. That guy has a German accent." A nurse said,
"German? Could it be that Michael Schumacher guy?" All of the people took a quick look at Michael, Meowth and Pikachu. They all gasped and went back to work.
"Oh, god!! That IS Michael Schumacher." Another nurse said, but their supervisor gave them a look and everybody went back to work.
"I hope your friend pulls through all this." Michael said to Pikachu,
"Pika." Pikachu said quietly.
[End Flashback]
Ash had no time to remember the past. He had to focus on the future. He made it through the final chicane and a slow Jordan. He entered the stadium section one more time before coming to pit straight to take the checkered flag. The horns were louder than last time as he made the final corner. There was the flagman and his crew at the pit wall waving their own flags. Ash waved at his crew and crossed the finish line to win the Grand Prix of Germany.
"You did it, Ash!!! You won!! Come on back here and let's get this party started!!" One of the crew guys radioed,
"Who finished 2nd and 3rd?" Ash asked,
"Rubens got 2nd and Olivier Panis finished 3rd. Montoya's car broke down, allowing Panis to move up." The crew guy answered,
"At least Ralf crashed out midway through the race." Ash said as he did his cool down lap and waved to all his fans in the stands. He pulled his car into the podium parking spot and got out of the car, where his crew cheered loudly as his mentor greeted him. That man was Michael Schumacher. Ash really admired him for all that he accomplished in F1 and Ash even went as far as saying that Michael was one of Ash's heroes.
"Hey, well done Ash. That was a great race you drove today." Michael said as Ash took off his helmet and put his trusty Official Pokémon League Cap on his head.
"I was a bit worried when your brother ran over my front wing at the start." Ash said,
"Well, Ralf still hates your guts. But, I'll beat some sense into him as usual when we go to our parent's home." Michael said. All of a sudden, a small, yellow Pokémon leaped into Ash's arms.
"Pika-pi!!" Pikachu greeted his trainer,
"Pikachu! I hoped you were good to the others up on the pit wall." Ash said,
"Pika pika." Pikachu said happily as an FIA official came up to Ash.
"Excuse me, Mr. Ketchum. You're needed for the weigh-in, so we can get the trophy celebration started. Barrichello and Panis are already on their way to the podium." He said,
"All right. Here, Michael. Take Pikachu for me. I got to go do my thing up there. Pikachu, don't shock him." Ash said as he handed Pikachu to Michael and made his way into the garage. Minutes later, Ash, Rubens Barrichello and Olivier Panis walked onto the podium and took their places. All three drivers removed their caps as the national anthem of Japan was played, because Kanto and Johto are part of Japan. After the anthem was played, some important people in charge of Germany walked up to Ash, Rubens and Olivier and gave them their winner's trophies. Everybody prepared for the champagne bath, but one driver had to ruin it. It was Ash's hated rival, Ralf Schumacher.
"You should have crashed out when I ripped off your front wing!!! Why do you always defy me? I am better than you!!" Ralf Schumacher yelled out. A lot of people in the stands started yelling at the younger Schumacher, telling him to shut up. "No, I will not shut up!!" Ralf yelled to the crowd,
"Goddammit, Ralf!! Shut up!! It's your fault you crashed out after you it me!!" Ash yelled back,
"If my brother didn't stop me, I would have killed you right there in Austria!" Ralf yelled,
"Well that hasn't stopped you at all, asshole!!!" Ash yelled,
"That's it! Prepare to die!!" Ralf yelled as he started to climb the wall. Pikachu had enough and leaped out of Michael's arms,
"Pikachu!! What are you... oh no." Michael said as Pikachu leaped on a few more heads, jumped in the air and let loose a very powerful Thunderbolt right at Ralf. The younger Schumacher screamed out in pain as Pikachu shocked the living daylights out of poor Ralf once again. After the Pokémon finished, Ralf fell to the ground and a puff of smoke came out of his mouth.
"Pikachu did it again." Ash said as the crowd started to cheer again. Behind him, Rubens and Olivier carried a giant thing of PowerAde, which was very cold. As Ash acknowledged the crowd, Rubens and Olivier dumped the thing on Ash. "AHHH!! THAT SHIT IS FREEZING!!! You bastards!!" Ash yelled out,
"Hey, you did it to me at Malaysia in '04, you did it to David in Hungary last year and you did that to Rubens at Silverstone last year also!!!" Olivier said,
"Yeah. We've been planning this for months!" Rubens added,
"I'm going to kill you!!" Ash yelled out as the two drivers ran to get away from Ash's wrath.
"Well, this has surely been a great race day." One FIA Official said,
"Sure has. And we even got to see Ralf Schumacher get shocked by Ketchum's pet. What a day." Another FIA official said.
* * * * * * * * * *
After all the chaos of the trophy presentations was done, the three drivers, Ash, Rubens and Olivier had to answer the press and talk about the race in English and in their native language. As soon as that was finished, Ash went back to the Toyota garage and got his helmet from the car. He looked at the car for a second, before sitting on the tire.
"You know, buddy. I wonder what would have happened if Michael didn't offer me the chance to go to Formula One 4 years ago? Would I finally become Pokémon Master? Would Gary defeated me? Or, would I get killed by Team Rocket?" Ash said to himself as he looked at his Toyota Formula One car. "Well, at least you never say that I'm a moron, like Misty and you never go crazy over a girl like Brock. I really miss them a lot. And I miss Mom as well. This may sound crazy, but you, Pikachu and Michael have been there for me." Ash said. He stood up, took his helmet and exited the garage. He pressed a button and the garage door closed shut. As Ash made his way to the motor homes, he was stopped by his Toyota teammate, Allan McNish.
"Hey, Ash. Where are you going off to?" The Scotsman asked,
"Back to my room and hop in the shower. To get rid of all this PowerAde on me." Ash answered,
"Well, you go do that, but the team is waiting for you." Allan said,
"The team? What did I do?" Ash asked with a confused look on his face,
"Don't worry. Just hop in the shower, but hurry up." Allan said as Ash ran to his motor coach. 10 minutes later, Ash appeared wearing a Toyota F1 shirt, blue pants and his usual Official Pokémon League cap on. Allan was waiting for him. "Let's get going!" Allan said as he grabbed Ash,
"Hey, where did Pikachu go? I thought I told Michael to take him back to the motor coach." Ash asked,
"Pikachu is with the team. And don't worry about Charizard. He's still sleeping near the Jim Clark Chicane." Allan said,
"Did he burn any trackside workers again?" Ash asked,
"Not this time. Start moving your legs, man. We're late enough as it is." Allan said as he started to run towards the Media Center. As soon as the two got there, Allan told Ash to go inside first.
"Why me?" Ash asked, "Just do it, you idiot!!" Allan said. Without anymore fighting, Ash entered the Media Center, where the entire Toyota crew started to celebrate. The place was already jumping with music and Ash saw a lot of food just waiting to be eaten.
"It's about time, Ash! Where were you?" The head manager asked,
"I was getting this damn PowerAde out of my hair that Rubens and Panis dumped on me!" Ash answered,
"Well, you made it, now let's celebrate the team's 3rd ever Grand Prix win!!" The team started to party and Ash just went straight for the food as usual. "Man. Being in Formula One is better than training to become a Pokémon Master!!" Ash said,
"Pika!!" Pikachu added. Ash, Pikachu and the entire Toyota F1 team partied all day. This was one of the team's greatest Grand Prix wins since Mika Salo gave them their first victory at Monza in 2003.
[Flashback]
It has been more than two hours since Michael Schumacher found Ash Ketchum clinging to life a Team Rocket attack. There was still no word from anybody about Ash's current condition, which was making Pikachu more worried. During that time, word spread that Formula One World Champion Michael Schumacher was in the hospital waiting room, but nobody wanted to ask him for his autograph.
"I wish they would tell us what is going on!!" Michael said,
"Pika. Pikachu!!" Pikachu agreed,
"Now only that, I'm starving! I haven't had anything to eat all day." Meowth complained,
"Well, let's go get some food. We should have done that when we were waiting here!" Michael said as he picked up Pikachu. The mouse Pokémon didn't want to get anything to eat and was ready to shock the World Champion, but then one of the doctors that took Ash into surgery.
"Doctor, what happened?" Michael asked,
"Well, we managed to repair all of the bullet wounds that Mr. Ketchum suffered. But all of us were amazed that you got him here so fast. The police said that the place of the shooting was about 30 miles from here. I must know... just who are you? Jeff Gordon?" The doctor asked. This really annoyed the World Champion.
"Well, let's just say that I'm Michael Schumacher and I drive for Ferrari in Formula One." Michael said,
"You're WHO? Not THE Michael Schumacher?!!! The 200 Million dollar man?!! A living god?!!" The doctor asked,
"Yes, I am but that's not important. How's the kid?" Michael asked,
"Oh. Well, since I bet you broke the speed limit to get here and not kill yourself and the kid, he's going to live. His blood loss was minimum and the bullet wounds missed all the vital organs." The doctor said,
"Well, that's great. Isn't it?" Michael said to Pikachu,
"Pika pika!!!" Pikachu said happily,
"Ash is resting in recovery and we won't let anyone see him for a few hours. Why don't you three get some food." The doctor said. Michael and Pikachu agreed. At the cafeteria, Pikachu and Meowth were eating Pokémon food, while Michael was trying to find something healthy for himself. You got to remember, Michael is a Formula One driver and needs to eat healthy foods to keep his energy up.
"Pika pika. Pikachu?" Pikachu asked,
"You're asking we why quit the team? Well, I was sick of losing all the time." Meowth answered,
"Chu. Pika pi. Pikachu?" Pikachu asked,
"You're right. It's not that at all. To tell you the truth, I want to evolve. I want to finally become Persian. I want to become more powerful than I already am." Meowth answered,
"Pika! Pikachu pi. Chu, pikachu." Pikachu said,
"Really? You don't mind if I tag along with you and the twerp?" Meowth asked. Pikachu nodded and patted Meowth on his back. As the two Pokémon were talking, Michael called Ferrari HQ on his cell phone. The team was wondering where he was.
"Yes. I got all your messages. Me? I'm fine. I got lost in Johto for a while. Where am I right now? That's what I wanted to talk to you about. Yeah. I found this kid, shot up really bad. He's alive. But, for some reason... I see a lot of potential in him. I mean is that he would make an excellent driver in F1. How old? That's the problem. He's only 14 years old. I know he's only a kid!! But, he could make history since the FIA doesn't have one of those mandatory age limits like NASCAR has. You think I'm crazy? That's the first time you said that. Well, I'll be coming back to Milan in a few days and I will have the kid. Oh, and tell Corinna and my kids that I'm fine and I'll be back soon. Oh, and remind me to kill Ralf also." Michael finished his conversation and put his cell phone in his pocket. He looked at Pikachu and Meowth having their own conversation on the table. As he went back to the table, Michael saw foot long hot dogs cooking on a grill. Michael tried to think about healthy stuff but it failed. "Oh, what the hell? I haven't had a foot long in 4 years. I hope my fitness trainer doesn't kill me for this." Michael said to himself as he went up to the counter.
[End Flashback]
It was around 8 P.M. German time when Ash entered his room with a sleeping Pikachu in his arms after the team's victory party.
"That was one of the best races I have seen yet, twerp." Ash saw his other Pokémon companion, Meowth sitting on his bed polishing Ash's race helmet.
"So, you watched the race from here Meowth?" Ash asked as he placed the sleeping Pikachu in his little bed,
"Sure did. I knew you were going to win after you missed the first lap crash in that Jim Clark turn or whatever it is. And after Ralf ran over your front wing." Meowth said. Meowth defected from Team Rocket and joined forces with Ash and Pikachu. Since being Ash's Pokémon, Meowth has gotten more stronger and finally learned Pay Day. The cat Pokémon is much more happier with Ash and Pikachu.
"Rubens couldn't believe that I beat him again. He was beside himself." Ash said,
"And Olivier Panis wants to kill me. We made a bet before the race that you would win it. Panis thought you would lose, but he lost and I won the bet. He tried to kill me after he came from the press conference, but I used Fury Swipes on his face." Meowth said as the Pokémon finished polishing Ash's helmet. "So, when's the next race?"
"The Hungaroring in Hungary. I hate that place." Ash said,
"Yeah. The place is so old and is not popular with the fans. Oh, that reminds me." Meowth got up and handed Ash a note from the greatest driver in the world, Michael Schumacher. "Schumi came by and asked me to give you this note. I didn't read it, but he had a very serious look on his face." Meowth said,
"When doesn't Michael Schumacher have a serious look on his face?" Ash said as he looked at the note. "I got to go see him about something. I'll be back, Meowth." Ash said as he left his room to go find Michael Schumacher. It was Michael who helped him break into Formula One at the end of 2003. Michael Schumacher isn't a driver anymore. In 2004, he was involved in a crash with Ash at Austria. The crash broke both of the German's legs and almost broke his neck. He announced his retirement just 1 month after the crash. The crash was actually Ash's fault, but the world champion doesn't blame him for what happened, nor does the FIA. They said it was a racing accident. Ralf Schumacher, Michael's younger brother wants to kill Ash for what he did to his brother. Because of this, there has been a hated rivalry between Ash and Ralf with Michael defending the young former Pokémon trainer. Despite Michael's retirement, the once greatest driver in the world is an important member of the Ferrari team, as well as a very important ambassador to Formula One. His injuries have fully healed, but Michael still wears a leg brace on his left leg just to be on the safe side. The German is just happy to be alive and well. As he entered his room at the Ferrari motor homes, Michael was still working of some papers for the FIA and Ferrari.
"Oh. Hello Ash. I didn't hear you come in." Michael said as he put down his papers,
"You wanted to see me, Michael?" Ash asked,
"Yes, I did. Ash. Have you ever heard of the NASCAR decision back in 2001 to raise the mandatory age limit to 18?" He asked,
"Yes. I remember that. I think I was at your home and I heard about it." Ash answered,
"Um, I just got a letter from the FIA. It seems like they are following NASCAR's lead by raising our mandatory age limit to 20 years old, effective next year." Michael said,
"That means that I am banned from F1 until I am 20." Ash said. Michael only nodded, but he was afraid that Ash might go crazy. But what Ash said and did truly shocked him. "So, I'm 17 now... and that means I have over 2 1/2 years before I can come back to race in F1." Ash said in a dejected tone. Michael was a bit surprised that Ash didn't raise hell like he usually did.
"But, they are making an exception on your case." He said,
"Why? I am a driver with an FIA Super License. I got to obey the age restriction as well." Ash said,
"Just listen to me. Since you are turning 18 in February of next year, the FIA has already talked to some teams in the American Le Mans Series and NASCAR so that you can continue your career in another form of auto racing. When you become 20 and all filled up with a few years of extra racing experience, the FIA will welcome you back with open arms and teams will have first crack of signing you." Michael said,
"Man, that's unheard of to me." Ash said,
"Well, I have heard that Audi Sport and Panoz really want you to drive for them at Sebring and Le Mans in 2006." Michael said,
"I'm hot property?" Ash asked,
"Yes you are. Because of your talent, maturity and you are very popular with the fans, especially girls, you would generate tons of publicity." Michael said,
"Hmm. When do the FIA expect a decision?" Ash asked,
"At the Japanese Grand Prix, where you might run your last race for a few years." Michael said. Ash started to think heavily about the situation. He is not eligible to race in F1 until he is 20, because of the new rules and Ash doesn't turn 18 until mid February. Some NASCAR teams already talked about giving him a ride until he is 20. Audi and Panoz really want him to drive for them for Le Mans and Sebring. Hendrick Motorsports and Roush Racing want him to drive at Daytona and Indianapolis. Right now... he needed some more time. And maybe to see what all the teams are offering for his services.
"Michael... I, um... need some more time. It's already the end of July. I got until the end of October to make my decision, but I need to get away from Formula One and start some thinking." Ash said,
"I think that is a good idea. Your contract states that you can take some races off if you want. Why not miss Hungary and go back to your home." Michael said,
"I was thinking about missing Hungary anyway. But, I want to come back for Belgium, Italy, the United States and Japan. If I miss Hungary, I got over a month to think it over." Ash said,
"That is what I would do. The Toyota guys already have their #3 driver, Fernando Alonso ready to take your place. Why don't you get some sleep and talk to the Toyota guys tomorrow." Michael said as got up and walked to the table where his briefcase was sitting on.
"Yeah. That would do just fine. I can't wait to see my Mom after many years." Ash said as he left Schumacher's room and headed to his. He left so fast that Michael didn't see him leave, but heard him.
"Ash?" Michael called out, but the young man already left the room and went back to his room to get some rest.
He took it better than I thought. If I was his age and I had to deal with that, I probably wouldn't handle it very well. I'm really going to miss that kid and all his Pokémon. He's a really nice kid and might be one of the greatest Formula One drivers in history. At least Ralf will be happy to see him leave. Michael thought to himself as he started to do some paperwork.
To Be Continued...
The second chapter of Ash Ketchum: Formula One Driver is done. Ash has won the German Grand Prix. But with the announcement of the FIA's plan to raise the mandatory age limit to 20, will Ash find another racing series to drive in? Or... will he have to go back to Pallet Town?
Is it good? Is it bad? Does it suck so much? Will it have AAMRN parts? Are you confused about the way the story goes to the present and past? What about Misty, Brock and the rest of the Pokémon crew? But, most of all... what do you fans think of Ash being a Formula One driver?
I would like to see what you Pokémon fans think of my story so far. I'll read anything from you. And yes, I will read your flames as well. At this point, I will be very happy if I got ANY e-mails or feedback about this story from you, the readers. Just to see that you took the time to read my very first fanfic.
My e-mail address is... Hornet19us@Yahoo.com. I can't wait to hear from all of you Pokémon fans and I hope you like my story or took the time to read it.
I should shut up now, shouldn't I? Be back soon with Chapter 3!!
Typed by Mario Alvarado
3/10/2002