*Whistles*

Disclaimer: No, I _don’t_ own pokemon, it belongs to Nintendo and Shogakukan comics! Was that so hard? This is non-profit fanwork, no copyright infringement intended, and I wrote it myself so it’s mine. My work, ok?

Notes: <> for telepathy, ** for thoughts, italics if a pokemon talks

Chapter 3: Watch Eye

Agatha was unsurprised when Lance returned, a fainted Ash in tow. “You stopped him, didn’t you?”
Lance inclined his head.

< Child, are you sure that is wise? >
< Agatha… I am Chosen. I have my own path to walk, and I don’t want his death on my hands. There is plenty of blood. I know you see it, so don’t tempt me. >

< So you say. > The ghost woman said cryptically.

Lance did not bother to ponder the statement before he put Ash to bed. The boy woke up in a few hours, still frazzled, but at least he was alive.

Was that really a good thing?

Gary started. “Oh, you’re awake! How was it?”

“Awful.” Ash muttered, staring downwards.

He didn’t know what else to say. * Awful… *

Because truth was truth, and those memories were no lie, so Ash was glad to be alive.

However, a faint stinging wash of shame permeated his body. He wasn’t a child! * I don’t need to be rescued! Why didn’t he leave me alone? I’m the Champion, so I can take care of myself! *

< Would you rather be dead, like I was going to leave you? > An ancient voice called.

Ash jumped. “EEEK!”

“Ash, that’s grandma Agatha.” Gary laughed. “Don’t worry.” He recognized the faint maroon haze.

Ash relaxed only a tad. * And what are you doing? *

< Telepathy, child. Surely you know from Sabrina? >

He did… * Oh. *

< And don’t be ungrateful, there is much that is beyond your comprehension in this world, so… >Agatha left it at that, not wanting to influence him down the wrong step.

But Ash still felt… worthless. No, that wasn’t it. He just felt… pale, and insipid, and so unreal, compared to those lightning flashes… and Lance never faltered! He just wanted to be the same…

Yes… I have to get stronger too… I’ll earn Lance’s respect again. He won’t just see me as another kid who happened to beat him by luck.

I’m more than that; I know it! He’ll have to see it too.

I promise.

Ash vowed to keep the dark at bay while he continued his training. He didn’t want to fall into a maelstrom of memories and lose himself.

It still hurt though, obviously.

So no more Mewtwo, even the Master Ball probably wouldn’t help…

What a despicably vile strain of luck.

He closed his eyes and went back to sleep. He would rest first, and recover.

And Lance would learn to respect him too.

Somehow, somewhere, someway…

Apparently winning didn’t mean much, at least not carefully regulated, safe, battles.

It wasn’t real world preparation at all…

What was going on with Mewtwo? He was just trying to catch it like any other pokemon. Nevertheless, Mewtwo was not just any other pokemon.

Was it the most powerful? Ash wasn’t sure, but it would be a safe bet.

He sighed. * Things just get more convoluted, don’t they? *

Why couldn’t things stay simple? He should not have gone after Mewtwo in the first place. It was beyond him.

That was probably the most shameful thought of all.

I’m not good enough…

He couldn’t be weak anymore. He had to do real training.

It was time to truly seize the day and work. For the Champion, and for himself, he would move past this.

And maybe… maybe… he could move past that expression of reproach and disapproval and fear… fear for him? That was… touching, if nothing else.

It was time to fly.

He had been a grub long enough, sooner or later he had to undergo metamorphosis, or die in the process.

Let’s go.

The next day, he started training again. Not just his team, this time. The pokédex hummed and buzzed and he transferred and switched and gifted every pokemon he had caught with his presence. Day by day, even from week to week they were working and hopefully growing.

Growth…

The dragons flew overhead, in their own flights of glory.

He would learn to soar too, someday. That day would not be so far in coming.

Charizard roared, flamethrower downing an entire meadow of pokemon. Ash smiled.

“Excellent.”

The fire in his eager eyes glazed over, hardening into the determination of steel pits… or ice. Either way it didn’t matter.

Raichu called up a storm, her electricity having improved so she could alter the seasons to a small, very small degree. Nonetheless effective, the strategy

Dragon

For him, was it? He didn’t know, didn’t care much anymore.

Ice

Lapras’s attacks were flawless, executed perfectly. Winter at its best, that blizzard…

He was proud.

Good… we’ll conquer this; it can’t always stay this way, can it? I just want to see the light again…

Light…

Alakazam, beautiful, all of those ghosts stood no chance, I’m proud of you.

Spark…

Flaming Thunder, it’s a completely new attack but I will, I will get better. See? Doesn’t Raichu and Charizard work well as a team and not?

Glass…

I didn’t mean to break that window. It was an accident… simply that and nothing more! I’m training, see, but you can’t catch me…

Media…

The billboards are fire and ice but it doesn’t matter. Thank you, Blaine…

Lavender

End Chapter

4/6/04 Complete in one day