Wai~! New fic!

Summary: Pride goes before a fall. Humans trusted and abused their pokemon too much. Now, precisely four years, six months, seven days, and eight seconds later, Ash Ketchum returns to a world where pokemon rule all…

Disclaimer: Phantomness does not own pokemon. Pokemon belongs to Nintendo and Shogakukan Comics. This non-profit, non-copyright infringing fanfiction belongs to me.

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

Ages: Ash is 16, Misty is 18, Brock, Bruno, and Lorelei are 23, Lance is 24, Sabrina is 21, Agatha is very old, and so is Kurt.

Title: Hubris

Prologue/Chapter 1

Ashura Satoshi Ketchum was not in a good mood. Upon his return from the far-off region of Houen, he had discovered first hand, exactly what had transpired in Kanto.

A pair of Scyther had met him at the airport and checked him through security – consisting of an Alakazam, a Machamp, and a Skarmory – and then, he had been subjected to a long lecture on what to do and not do. He was not allowed to capture any pokemon in Kanto or Johto unless said pokemon desired it, he was not allowed to speak to any human until their master gave them permission, and he had to treat every pokemon – be it the lowliest Rattata – that he came upon, with respect.

What had happened in Kanto?

Ash had been missing since he completed the Orange League years hence. Upon his championship, they had offered him a trip to Houen, and he had stayed there for a year or so. However, when he had tried to return to Kanto, he found a civil war brewing – and now it looked like a winner had been decided.

The pokemon had won and taken control of the system.

Most of the human population had been killed. The remnants were either slaves or rebels…

Oh dear…

So as Ash walked out of the airport, self-consciously checking his simple gray top and pants, he wondered just what he was getting into.

Meanwhile, in Mount Moon…

Agatha banged her cane against the ground, calling the meeting to order.

“Now as you all know,” Lorelei said, “Our spies have reported that Ash Ketchum is returning from the Houen Region as we speak. I doubt that he knows of our situation…”

Misty sighed. “So?’

“He has a capable team of pokemon. We could use him on our side.”

“He is a guest… and the pokemon native to our region will not hurt him for that very reason…” Brock nodded. “It makes sense, but…”

He didn’t want to send his friend in to fight a war.

“Now, on our other topic.” Sabrina cut in. < Our few spies among the pokemon society have reported that they know of Lance’s location. >

“Oh?” This was new. They needed Lance. For deep in the heart of Indigo Plateau, there was a machine that could only be powered by the four Elite. The pokemon had found it, but upon entry, a wall of dense black energy had grown around the machine, protecting and shielding it.

After many weeks of fruitless effort, the pokemon had left it alone.

Inside that machine was a virus, capable of killing every species of pokemon. It was only to be used in an emergency.

Now, they were in that state.

“So, where is he?” Brock asked.

Sabrina sighed. < Whirl Islands. It seems that Lugia’s chosen him personally. >

That was not a good sign. Legendaries generally did not bother to keep slaves. Why Lugia had Lance, no one was certain, but…

< Was there any word on how safe he was? >

Lorelei had sent a Seel and a Dewgong of hers out to investigate.

Sabrina shook her head. < No. They only saw him in passing. But they’re worried. Lugia can be cruel…. >

< Then we’ll have to go rescue him? > Agatha sighed.

< I’m afraid so… >

“What else can we do?” Misty asked.

Bruno simply grunted.

“Filthy human! Watch where you’re going!” A very familiar Meowth yelled. Two humans in white uniforms carrying heavy packs followed.

Ash gaped. “Team Rocket?”

“Hey, it’s the twerp! Hand over that Pikachu now!”

Ash half-smiled. “Sorry, Meowth. Pikachu died of the X-variant like most of the electric pokemon did two years ago. I don’t have it.”

Meowth’s jaw dropped. “What?”

“Anyways, I’m here on diplomatic leave, so…” Ash flashed a brilliant red crystal on a chain around his neck. “I’m here for two months. I trust you do know the rules concerning visitors?”

Meowth cringed. Yes, in some parts of the world, there were still places where humans controlled the world and not the pokemon. They would soon fall though, he believed. Still, for now, if he hurt the brat, he’d be punished – by becoming one of Ash’s’ pokemon.

“Yeah, yeah. Now get out of my way.”

Meowth and his two slaves left, as Ash looked around. Maybe coming here hadn’t been such a good idea…

“You have another patient.” The Tentacruel spoke.

Lance groaned inwardly as he climbed out of bed, pulling on the white robe he wore to mark his station as healer. He was lucky, he supposed – he treated his dragon pokemon fairly and they knew it, so when the tables turned and the pokemon ruled all, they hadn’t torn him to pieces or sold him into slavery like so many others. They had ‘given’ him to Lugia instead. He now worked in the whirl islands, healing wounded pokemon.

It could have been worse.

Golden bracelets wound their way up his arms, like bracers. They looked beautiful, but they had another function.

They kept him alive, and they kept Lugia’s eyes on him. Three years ago, after an incident, he had tried to kill himself…

And failed.

But for now, he turned his attention to the wounded Seel, wincing in sympathy. Placing his hands over the wound, he concentrated as light, the same shade of his golden eyes, surrounded the pokemon, healing it completely.

Unfortunately, such power did not cure more difficult ailments and conditions.

As the next patient, a nearly dead Seaking was brought in, Lance rolled up his sleeves with a wince.

End Chapter

Completed 3/10/05

Ash: Phew, so I’m not a slave?

Phantomness: Nope!

Lance: Seems like I am though

Shoyko: How depressing…