A subplot had better show up in this chapter…

Disclaimer: I don’t own pokemon; it belongs to Nintendo and Shogakukan Comics! This is non-profit, non-copyright infringing fanfic by me, so I own it. Okay? Okay!

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

Chapter 11

Ash tuned out President Victor Wang’s speech on the economy as he and the other gym leaders, Elite four, and masters sat in a large, quite empty, university lecture hall.

Why was this relevant?

Lance nudged him, and Ash frowned. < But it’s so boring! >

< They’re talking about cutting funding from the Pokemon Centers and breeding centers to fight the war in the Emerald Islands. >

< WHAT?! >

< See, that was important. >

Emerald, Ruby, Aquamarine, and Orange islands were only a few of the chains that lay outside Johto, Kanto, Houen, and Cosmos.

Ash wasn’t even sure why they had gone to war in the Emerald Islands, but Lance said it was because the indigo league was greedy and wanted the silver mines as well as the lumber in the area.

It made sense.

People would do a lot of things to get money. In morality, money was enemy number one.

Of course, money can’t buy happiness and peace of mind, but that wasn’t the point. The point was that the government wanted more resources and going to war for pretend reasons to get them was a-ok.

< You don’t think we’re fighting the government, are we? >

< I don’t know. >

< But it’s possible! >

< Never happened before… > Lance closed his eyes and tuning out Victor’s speech as well. He could use Return later. < But of course, anything is possible with a randomized deck. >

Ash nodded.

Two agonizing hours afterwards, the group exited.

“I hate how those bureaucrats are trying to control everything.” Jasmine griped. “They don’t’ know anything!”

“Isn’t that the truth…”

“We shouldn’t be fighting Emerald, what we really should do is focus on the healthcare crisis here in own country.”

“They have different priorities obviously.” Bugsy said bitterly.

“But they won’t cut the gyms,” Morty concluded, “Because we’re a main source of revenue.”

“Hai.” Sabrina agreed. < So we are really just breadwinners. >

< It’s better than being bombed like those civilians in Emerald, though. > Agatha reminded those present.

< Yes, I suppose… >

“Horrible.” Falkner said, shaking his head as he straightened his kimono. “But really, what can we do about it?”

“If,” Surge lowered his voice, “We even think of rebelling, they’ll bring out the tanks and gas on us.”

“True…” Will echoed in a whispery tone. < The future of that would not be pleasant at all… >

The group split and dispersed, moving on to lighter topics as some security walked by.

“So Ash, it looks like you made Champion after all.” A snide voice intruded.

“Misty.” Ash said, swallowing his revulsion.

He hadn’t liked traveling with her, and after becoming Champion he had managed to avoid her… until now.

Misty put a hand on her hip, trying to make her assets look good but sadly it was a failed attempt.

Ash averted his eyes. * Ew… *

Misty inched closer.

Ash began to sweat. * What is up with her!? First, she taunts me and now, is she… *

He rapidly fled from that thought and backed away, as Misty actually invaded his personal space.

< Oh, this is not going to be pretty. >

“I know that, Agatha, I remember what happened before.” Lorelei said, as she began stacking the ice cubes in her drink.

Agatha chuckled. “I wonder why she can’t remember?”

“Idiocy can’t be cured apparently.”

“Well, neither can selfishness, greed, abuse…”

“That’s also true.”

Ash unfortunately, ran into the wall, but just at that moment, there was a handy diversion.

Surge’s Electrode had exploded, downing Whitney’s Milktank.

“What are you two doing?!” Misty yelled.

“Practice battle, why?”

Whitney shrugged, recalling her miltank. “Looks like we tie…”

“You’re not bad for a kid.’ Surge said, as they shook hands.

“Hey, that’s a good idea.” Brock said, seeing a chance to impress one of the pretty Johto gym leaders.

Claire paled as he turned near her…

“Wait! Stop! What are you doing?”

“Will you go on a date with me?”

Lance’s cousin glared, flipped her blue hair, and put a hand on Dragonair’s poke ball. “No.”

“If I beat you, can you?”

“Sure… if you can beat me.” Claire synopsized.

“Onix, Geodude, Graveler, go!”

“Kingdra, Dragonair, Gyarados.” Claire countered. “Surf.”

NO contest…

Brock burst into tears; while Ash escaped to another area and made himself a root beer float to sooth his ruffled feelings.

Lance found him a few minutes later. “Nice.”

Ash looked up from devouring the confection. < Well, it’s a great way to unwind, isn’t it? >

< Yes. >

End Chapter

Complete 5/14/04