Chapter 2!
Disclaimer: Pokemon belongs to Nintendo, Game FREAK, Satoshi Tajiri, and Shogakukan Comics etc. Charlotte belongs to me. Do not take my non-profit, non-copyright infringing fanfic since it’s mine under international copyright laws.
Notes: <> indicates telepathy, ** indicates thoughts, italics indicates poke speech.
Chapter 2
“Sugoi…”
“I’m glad you could come for a visit.” Blaine said, smiling at his grandson. * Stupid laws… Oak that bastard… *
It had taken months before Oak had agreed to let him have Ash for Christmas vacation. That perverted old man… he didn’t even _want_ to know what might be going on. But would the law listen to him? No.
Oak had way too much pull with the Indigo governing council.
He sighed.
The seven-year old boy was still staring at the Aron. “Grandfather, you’re the best!” He hugged Blaine tightly.
Aron, Charmander, Scyther, and Absol. The latter two were from Birch.
Absol preened as Ash hugged her too.
“Why haven’t you trained them?”
“Oak wouldn’t let me…”
“Hmph.” Blaine glared at the sand. “Well, I’ve got you for two weeks and a half. Let’s go do some training like you were meant to!”
“Okay!”
Being with his grandfather was so nice… he didn’t have to watch his mouth all the time…
And there was no Gary around.
It wasn’t as if Gary was really mean, he was just… well; Oak obviously liked him better since he was his _real_ relative.
“Come on.” Blaine’s health had improved to the point where he could run a few miles before giving out. It was much better than a wheelchair!
“Scyther, use Slash!”
The Tangela quailed, giving Charmander time to hit it with a Flamethrower. Ash was still in awe.
How fast they had leveled up! Was this what being a trainer was like? The feeling of exhilaration and freedom was so cool!
He never wanted it to end.
But that wasn’t possible… when he went back to Oak’s, Oak would…
“Ash?”
His grandfather was looking at him concerned. “Does it hurt somewhere?”
“Not really.” Ash said truthfully. Oak had stopped hitting him a few months ago, but that didn’t make him trust the sneaky snake any more.
I hate him.
When I become a powerful trainer, I’ll get my revenge.
Even at a young age that concept was really real.
And… father and mother… who killed you?
I’ll find out and kill them!
Then I’ll be happy.
The day after, they went snorkeling and looked at all the brightly patterned tropical fish. Cinnabar was so pretty…
I don’t want to go home!
“Grandfather, I don’t want to go home…”
“That’s not your real home.”
“I know! I…” Ash began to cry. “I’m scared.”
They were sitting in the shade of the abandoned Cinnabar Mansion, watching the sunset and eating strawberry ice pops.
“What happened, Ash?”
The boy began to spill. It took two boxes of Kleenex, and afterwards, he treated Ash out to hamburgers and French fries. Then, he read Ash a bedtime story – make that eight, before Ash fell asleep.
Blaine was furious. But the law decreed Ash would stay with Oak until he left on his journey.
But Oak was abusing his child; any idiot could see that!
Argh. So what could he do? Oh, it wasn’t fair!
Oak paid high fees to the governors, but they turned a blind eye to everything he did in return…
Equivalent trade?
He’s _hurting_ my grandson! If I steal Ash away, I’ll be incarcerated and he’ll only be sent back there.
What to do?
That night, Birch and Blaine had a long telephone conference.
“It’ll be risky, but if what you say is true, I’ll do it. He has no pull here in Houen.” Birch confided. “I wouldn’t mind.”
“I’d have to quit communicating with him, and I’m finding that difficult to believe. Still… to save his life…”
“Don’t worry, it’s only for a year or two.”
“I hope so…”
The next morning, Ash woke up to find his grandfather looking at him seriously.
“Grandfather?”
“Ash, I have an idea. But it’s very risky. If it succeeds, you’ll never have to go back to Professor Oak again.”
“Really?” Ash’s eyes sparkled brightly with life at that statement. * Never go back? I won’t get hurt anymore? *
He’d still become stronger though.
Weaklings were just that, weak.
I don’t want to get hurt anymore.
“W-what do I have to do?” All right, some habits were harder to break.
“We’re going to turn you into someone else. Create a new identity. I asked for Bill’s help on this, and he agreed, since I helped him capture one of his Porygon.”
“I’ll be… someone else?”
“Yes, how’s the name Ruby sound?”
“That’s girly…” Ash frowned. Even at this age, he knew.
“What about Silver?”
“Silver? Hm…” Ash nodded after a few minutes. “I’ll do it.”
“Come with me then. We have to change a few things.”
Two days later…
Ash fingered his new red locks somewhat self-consciously. It wasn’t that bad, he supposed. What really were odd… were his silver eyes.
How had Grandfather done that? They were cool though!
He spent the rest of the vacation training with Grandfather, then on the last day waved goodbye at the airport and went off to Houen, where new life awaited.
End Chapter
Completed 10/3/04