Chapter 8 "Don't you think this is a bit much?" Ash asked as they entered a posh restaurant. Darrel laughed. "I know that your not used to such luxury but, the D district champion had a reputation to holdup. Can't blame you for acting surprised though. You didn't know what you were getting into when I challenged you did you?" Ash had been shocked for three days in a row now. First he met Richie on the road, second he became this district champion and won two badges and today was no exception. Ash scored a perfect in beating all his opponents in the tournament by using Pikachu and Bulbasaur. "How'd you know that?" Ash asked. Ash wasn't nervous about asking Darrel questions because it was just Darrel, Ash and his pokemon dining tonight. Richie said he didn't want to get hounded by reporters. Darrel smiled. "Because if you knew who I was, you would have moved onto the other side of the street." Ash thought it a good reason. "You also had the biggest look of bewilderment when you got carried off by the crowd." Ash sighed. "I'm that easy to read huh?" Darrel nodded. "Yep! Don't worry about it. That will pass in time if you decide to challenge me again. Yo! Waiter!" Darrel yelled to a guy in a tux. "Yes sir?" "Two orders of curry please and two chillers." Ash wasn't about to ask what he had orders when he ordered chillers but was curious. "What else do you think you know about me?" Ash asked. Darrel smiled and sat back in his chair. "You didn't have a fight with your friends and that you don't like to talk about the past. I'm thinking that you're a criminal of sorts because you mentioned that you've run into many Officer Jenny's." Darrel had whispered the last sentence. Ash almost gagged on his water. "It's nothing like that!" Ash spat out. "But I'm close aren't I." Ash sighed and put an arm behind his head like he always does when he gets nervous. "I'm on the run from team rocket." Ash said quietly. Then it was Darrel's turn to gag. "Team rocket?" he sputtered out. "What did you do to get their attention?" "They want my Pikachu because, it's a rare pokemon to them." Darrel sized up Pikachu from afar again. "They wouldn't just chase you just because of one pokemon would they?" "Try for about two years! They just decided to use new tactics lately that are scary." Darrel looked at Ash astonished. "What new tactics?" "Get rid of the trainer to get at the pokemon." Ash said darkly. "I've also been known to foul up their plans now and then." Darrel laughed. "No wonder they're after you. You have something they want and you're a menace. Way to go kid. I guess I underestimated you." "Now you see my problem. Something happened lately that has team rocket furious." Darrel laughed again. "What'd you do? Spit in the bosses coffee?" Ash laughed. "Nope, more like gave team rocket a slap in the face. They laid out a trap for me and I got caught." Darrel didn't laugh. "I was freed by some friends and that's one slap. The next part is me doing what I'm doing now." "And that is?" asked Darrel. Ash gave him a wink. "Hiding in plain sight." Darrel thought for a moment and then burst out laughing. "Oh, I get it! No wonder you looked horrified being paraded around town. You didn't want to be noticed. Too late to say I'm sorry but, aren't you worried that you'll be noticed?" Ash crossed his arms and looked smug. "If I could be recognized I would have already been nailed by team rocket." Darrel looked at Ash as if he was a weirdo. "I've met a few people that should have recognized me and didn't." Darrel laughed. "So your in disguise? What did you do? Changed the cloths of course; they're just off the shelf." Ash laughed. "I also ditched a few personal possessions." Ash said with some regret in his voice. Darrel nodded. "You didn't change your name though. I noticed that. So, what are you going to do?" Ash shrugged. "Since there are too many people I know in town I'm going to have to leave." Darrel nodded. Ash looked over to Abra and Pikachu who were having a conversation of their own. "After the tournament?" asked Darrel. Ash looked at his pokemon again before he gave his answer. "Maybe before then." Then the food came and that was the end of that conversation. "Lets change the subject to something more pleasant." Darrel said as they walked out of the restaurant. "How do you think your going to do in the tournament?" Ash, with a glimmer of fire in his eyes, picked up Pikachu. "We're going to win! Right Pikachu?!" Pikachu who was now hopping onto Ash's shoulder answered. "Pika!" Ash smiled. "That must mean yes." Darrel laughed. "You know, for a punk, you're not too bad." Ash got his hair mussed up again. "Same to you." Ash barely got away from a headlock. "I was ready for that." "Not even here two days and you already can predict what I'm going to do." Ash was given a thumbs up and was motioned to the car. As Ash climbed into the car he realized something. 'I have been predicting a lot of things lately. Usually I can't see a foot in front of me. That's odd.' Ash couldn't explore the thought further because Darrel was speeding down the main drive. Then Ash got one of the bigger shocks of the day by Darrel. "Hey Ash?" "Yeah Darrel?" "I think you had better be careful around my sister." "Tara? Why?" "I think she has a crush on you." Ash felt all the colour drain from his face. He was officially panicking when Darrel told him something else. "And I think it's serious." "Waaaaaa! I hardly know your sister!" Ash practically yelled. Darrel had a big grin on his face. "You know I wouldn't mind you for a brother-in-law." Ash was not impressed. Fear Tara! Screamed his mind. Definitely fear Tara. Darrel got the look of sheer panic he was looking for and laughed hard. "Watch the road." Ash grumbled. "Pikaaa! Pika-chu-pi?" Ash looked into the back and saw Pikachu and Abra talking. When Ash turned around to them, they immediately shut up. Kolbind first Pokemon center "Your sure that you haven't seen this boy before?" Asked Misty to the Nurse Joy behind the counter. Misty was holding up a copy of the picture Snap had taken of their group a long time ago. "No I'm sorry Misty. I haven't seen him before." Misty got a very depressed look on her face. "Well Brock he's not here." Brock was told to wait outside the center while Misty investigated. The reason she told him to stay outside was she didn't want any lovey-dovey junk between the two(if that was possible) so that she could ask about Ash. "There's supposed to be a two more pokemon centers in the town, We should find one before nightfall." Brock had an equal look of disappointment as Misty on his face. The duo and Togepi went down the road and stopped at a intersection. "Not a lot of people around." Misty commented. "There's a curfew because of the pokemon tournament that's being held at the stadium." The two turned to see and Officer Jenny behind them. "Hi Officer Jenny!" said Brock in a sappy voice. Misty pulled on his ear. "Snap out of it Brock. What's this about a tournament Officer Jenny?" Jenny took out a pair of handcuffs. "I'll tell you down at the station. You should have been indoors hours ago." Misty had a look of panic on her features. "But Officer! We just arrived today and didn't know about the curfew!" "Today? You're pokemon trainers? Alright then, I'll let it slide this once." Suddenly a corvette came out of nowhere and was bulleting down the street at the maximum speed limit. As they passed Misty saw a teen with dark coloured hair and someone smaller with blonde hair. "Speed Demons!" Yelled Misty at them as they passed by. Then something happened. The blonde boy turned and looked at Misty and Brock and they both felt –something. It was a feeling of deja vue; that you had met someone before but couldn't place it. Then the feeling was gone as soon as they were out of sight. "Who was that?" asked Brock to no one. When Officer Jenny answered him he was thinking hard. He had seen those eyes before. "That was the new district D champion. Since your new here I'll tell you. There are four districts in this town; A, B, C, and D. Since this city is so big, it would be impossible for a police force to maintain order at all times. Instead, there are district champions who keep the trainers in line. It works well because, the champions are a symbol of that district and the district wants the best reputation. That was the District D champion and champion challenger. "Champion challenger?" Asked Brock. "If you win one match against a district champion. You can become the district champion if the current champ passes his title over willingly but, it would take about two weeks to become official. If the champion is stubborn, then the district champion would have to have another battle with the champion challenger to decide who would have the title. "That sounds confusing." Said Misty. "So the people who just sped by are the current champion and the champion challenger?" Officer Jenny put her hands on her hip and smiled. "Yep! The current champion is willing to give up his title but, for some odd reason, the champion challenger won't go through with the title exchange. My guess is that he's taking the badge challenge right now." Misty and Brock exchanged glance. "What's this tournament you mentioned?" Asked Misty. "There is a tournament going on at the stadium. You can't enter because you're late. You can go watch though. I'll let you kids go then and be sure to find somewhere to stay the night." "Thanks Officer Jenny. You were a great help." Called Misty over her shoulder. "Don't go that way!" Yelled Officer Jenny. Misty and Brock stopped. "Why not?" They asked as soon as Officer Jenny came back. "The area your heading into is district D." "So?" asked Brock. "Every city has it's bad part of town. You wouldn't last three minutes down that way. Come with me, you can stay the night at the station. I'll have someone show you around tomorrow." Officer Jenny, Brock(drooling of course) and Misty went down to district A to the police station. "Ash? Something wrong?" Asked Darrel. Ash had turned around and turned pale. "I thought I saw someone else I recognized." "Team rocket?" Ash shook his head. "No, someone I fear even worse." Darrel looked over to Ash and then the rearview mirror. When he didn't see anyone he pressed who. "The friends I left behind." Darrel put a hand on his shoulder. "Do they know that your OK?" Ash nodded. "Then that should be enough for them. Don't worry, once things cool off between you and team rocket, you can go home. "I hope so." Ash said and then went silent. Ash watched the buildings pass by and though about Richie for a minute. Ash knew it was time to tell him about Mew. Stadium "Stupid kids." Growled Butch. "Think they're better than team rocket. Did you see that snob? Acting like the reporters weren't even there." Butch was showing Cassidy for the first time that he was jelous of someone else's talent. "You overdid it when you told that kid you would beat him up." Said Cassidy. Butch just snorted and turned back to what he was doing. "I don't care. I'm sure that the Ketchum kid will show up here. Once we have taken everyone in the Stadium hostage that is." Sneered Butch. "Don't get over confidant. We'll set up our operation tonight and pull it off at the finals. No trainer could resist watching a final battle. Once the battles over, we'll spring the trap." "Jessie." Whined James. "What!?" she growled. "The stadiums closed, can we take a break now?" "Quit you whining!" growled Meowth for her. "We've got to get this tunnel dug so we can snatch some pokemon." "But we've been at it for hours." Whined James. "We can stop once we're finished. Now shut up and dig." Snapped Jessie Team rocket was still digging at sunrise. Next Day "Another day another battle." Said Ash cheerfully as he left the room. "Yeah." Said Richie with very little enthusiasm. Ash turned to look at his friend. Richie had gotten quiet since last night when Ash had told him the whole story behind his leaving. Richie paled at Ash's recount of the kidnapping, rescue and escape at the hospital. Most importantly, the proof of Mew that it all happened. "You OK? You've been quiet every since last night." Ash asked worried. Richie looked at his friend and saw Ash's expression of concern. "You're not worried one bit are you?" Richie said in surprise. "Nope." Ash did a pose with a peace sign and Pikachu on his shoulder copied his infamous pose. "I figure that they'll never catch this Ketchum. There's nothing to be worried about if I'm alert." "Then I'll be worried enough for you." Said Richie. Ash gave his friend a playful punch on the shoulder. "Why worry? They don't know who I am and this disguise is perfect! They won't find me in a million years." "Ash, this is serious." Said Richie suddenly. His tone commanded all of Ash's attention. "You can't run forever. Your going to get caught sooner or later." "How can they catch someone who isn't there?" Ash interrupted. "What? Be serious! This is important." "I am being serious. They are looking for Ash Ketchum not Ash the unknown trainer." "You won't stay unknown forever if you keep winning these battles." Growled Richie. Ash went silent. "Ash you need to go home and figure this out." "I can't. Not until I find a way to reverse what team rocket did to me. I don't feel like Ash Ketchum anymore." "What?" Asked Richie. "You don't feel like Ash? You are Ash Ketchum, how can you not feel like him?" "It's hard to explain. The only thing that could come close to describing this feeling is that I'm changing from the inside out and I-I don't know if that's a good thing Richie, I really don't." Pikachu put a hand on his trainers cheek in sympathy. "Pikachu, pi-pika-chu." "You still have me Ash." "Thanks Pikachu. I needed that. Shall we go and kick some tournament butt?" "Pikachu!" "You bet! "Then lets go!" Ash turned down the hallway and called for Richie to follow. "Hey Richie! Are you coming?" Richie looked at Sparky and smiled. "Sure am. Wait up!" The two friends went off to the tournament with Darrel in the corvette. As soon as they got there, they were mobbed by reporters again. After reaching the safety of the locker room, Ash came face to face with Gary. "Well if it isn't the ego king from the other day. Hope your ready to lose because I'm going to win!" Ash ignored his snide remark and got ready to go out next. "Hope you're ready to lose because I'm not going to lose to a second rate trainer like you." Ash said as quietly as he could as he brushed past him to the stadium area, Gary was astonished! The voice sounded like Ash but, Ash would never say anything like that to Gary. "Pikachu-pika-chu-pi-pika." "Didn't know you had it in you." "Neither did I" Ash said smugly as he walked towards the stadium entrance. Ash took his appointed position and waited for his opponent. Who he saw was a bit of a surprise. 'I don't believe it! It's A.J.' Ash thought pleasantly surprised. 'Time to get some revenge!' "Hey Pikachu look who it is. Want a rematch with sandshrew?" Pikachu's eyes narrowed as soon as the rock pokemon was released. "PI!" "Yes!" "Pikachu! I choose you!" The battle began. At the end of the battle the announcer went ballistic. "I don't believe what I have just seen folks! The district D champion's Pikachu took out all three of the challengers pokemon. I have never seen such skill! One, two three and they were all out. What a display of skill! If the D champion keeps this up, he'll win the tournament for sure. In the stands 'This kid is good. The ego king here could be a problem. I should have grandfather send me my best for the finals.' (Guess who this is. Duhh!) "Brock! Did you see that!" Misty exclaimed in surprise. Brock was watching the blonde haired boy who was known as the district D champion. "Yeah, that was some match." Brock said absentmindedly. Misty hit him with her mallet. "Not that! The D champ. Didn't you think there was something familiar about his style?" "Yes, are you thinking what I'm thinking?" Misty's eyes burned. "Yeah! Some fool let Ash get his hands on some hair dye. Now we know where he is. How do you want to go about this?" "I say we jump him as soon as he gets out of the stadium." "My thoughts exactly." Grinned Misty. "Wow! Did you see that match?" Asked James in awe. "Pretty impressive." Said Jessie. "That kids got the right stuff." Said Meowth. "I bet he trains his pokemon all day and night. The pokemon should be just right for stealing." After "Way to go Ash!" Cheered Richie. "Remind me not to ask you for a rematch." "Thanks." Ash grinned as Richie gave him a thwap on the back. "I don't know who you feel like right now but six straight perfects in two days is not too shabby. Who are you going to use tomorrow?" "Pikachu, Bulbasaur, Rapidash, Kingler, Snorlax and I'm considering of using Abra." "What?!!! Are you insane?! That's a bit risky isn't it?" Ash shrugged. "I'll use Abra if it's an emergency. I can't shake a bad feeling that something is going to happen tomorrow." "It's just your imagination. Here comes Darrel." Ash tuned to see Darrel ahead of about thirty reporters. Ash sighed and began to move to the crowd. "Sorry Ash but, your going to have to answer a few questions if we want to get out of here this time." Darrel said. Ash looked at the reporters and got an idea. "I'll answer all the questions asked of me.." Ash said. With that the group of reporters began to ask questions. "by one person only." Ash added quickly. The group looked at each other. "Decide among yourselves before I change my mind." As Ash had planned, the reporters began to argue and Ash was lucky to slip out in the confusion. "I wish I had thought of that when I was younger." Said Darrel as the trio headed out on the road. "How did you ever think of that?" demanded Richie. Ash put his hands behind his head and began a story. "I've pulled that type of trick off before. On team rocket of course." Darrel laughed and Richie went a little pale. "Elaborate." Said Darrel through chuckles. "I need a good laugh." Ash smiled and went to a flashback. "It happened about a week before my capture. Team rocket ran into another group of rockets that wanted my pokemon. I was in no condition to fight so I turned them against each other.' "How?" Asked Richie no interested. "Well you've met Jessie and James. There's a pair called Butch and Cassidy that are also in team rocket that just hate them. I already knew about the friction between them and said some smart aleck comments that got them fighting. I was especially proud of the 'Are you going to let such amateurs order you around?' jibe." "Ouch!" laughed Richie. Ash crossed his arms and began to hum a tune that sorta sounded familiar. Ash was unaware that what he was doing was a built in protection device of the Ultimate Trainer. 'He calls.' Thought a pokemon under the sea. 'It is time to gather the others.' The pokemon left the safety of the depths and flew. "I can't believe he gave us the slip!" roared Misty. "It was like he knew we were coming! When I get my hands on that district D chump, I'll-I'll…" "You'll what?" Asked Brock interested in her revenge. "Do something obviously!" snapped Misty. 'I just wish I knew what.' She thought glumly. 'That boy! I don't know whether to kiss him or slap him. It's just like him to be so noble.' "Just don't kill him. Leave that job for his mother." Brock said. "Alright." Next Day Ash had gotten up and had taken a shower when he heard the commotion outside. Ash dried himself off and got dressed. Richie was up as Ash left the bathroom with his head stuck out the window. "Uhh. Ash? You better take a look at this." Richie said in a jittery tone. Ash obliged and got a look of the crowd outside. The first though that entered Ash's mind was.. "No way!" Ash could guess why the crowd was there. "What did Darrel do?!" Asked Ash in disbelief. "It looks like everyone in the district is here!" "Actually, everyone in two districts." Ash and Richie turned to see Darrel in the doorway with two very intimidating brutes. "Time to go to the stadium." Before Ash could protest that he hadn't eaten, he was rushed out the door. "Wait! Pikachu!" Ash was let go of their grip to collect his pokemon. "Pikachu?" Ash didn't need to have special abilities to know what Pikachu was asking. "I know Pikachu and I don't like it either." Ash was led downstairs to the main lobby to find it empty. "Wha?" "No ones allowed in. We had to get police protection for you. I've never seen so many people gather in one place before. The news is out and your quite the popular guy." Ash had a thought strike him. "That wouldn't be because of what I told you over dinner is it?" Darrel smiled. "Not all of the story leaked out." Ash groaned. "Thanks." Ash growled. Darrel smiled and pat his back. "Not a problem. Just do me one favor? Win the tournament, I have a fifty spot riding on you." Ash walked out the doors between Darrel, his two buddies and a lot of officers. They made it to the corvette with no interruptions and soon Ash was at the stadium. "Like I would ever think that this would happen." Ash thought out loud. "What?" Asked Richie. Ash was caught off guard and shook himself to clear his thoughts. "I never would have thought that I would leave my friends and this would happen. I'm wanted by team rocket, famous and I'm not enjoying it." Richie looked at Ash's worried face. "Fame isn't as cool as it's cracked up to be is it?" Ash shook his head. "Time to battle!" Ash said solemnly as he entered the locker room. Still unable to shake off the feeling that something bad was going to happen, Ash prepared his pokemon. "Come on out everyone. I want to talk." All the pokemon came out of their pokeballs and sat down. "What's up Ash?" Asked Pikachu. Ash was thankful that for the moment he could understand his pokemon. "I can't shake a feeling that something is wrong. Promise me something?" "Shoot." Said Bulbasaur. "Promise me that if something happens today that you'll stick together? I also want you to promise me that you'll be careful out there today." "Technically that's two things but sure. I promise." Said Pikachu. "Ditto!" agreed the rest of his pokemon except for Mew. "What about you Abra? Or should I be asking Mew about this?" Abra/ Mew tilted his head to the right and nodded. "I agree." Said Mew telepathically. "Then let's go win this thing." Ask put his hand in the middle of the semi circle and all the pokemon followed suite. Meanwhile "What are you two doing here!" Growled Jessie as she sized up her opponent underneath the stadium. "None of your business!" Snapped Butch. Meowth was staying out of this fight. "Of course it's our business! As your superiors we want an answer!" Cassidy and Butch had a gleam of pure hatred in their eyes as James butted in. "We won't tell you!" Growled Cassidy. Jessie put a hand up to her cheek and laughed. "HA HA HA HAA! You have to! Or we can tell the boss that your having problems with authority!" Butch and Cassidy gave each other a look of regret. They knew that Jessie and James had them over a barrel. "This is what we got planned." Said Cassidy reluctantly. Above "Another fabulous win for the D district champion. In all my years of reporting pokemon battles, this one takes the cake! All six of his opponents pokemon were fainted by a single Kingler. He will go onto the final round against the winner of the next match. That makes this the first time in the history of this tournament that someone has gotten a perfect score to the finals! Wish him luck folks!" Ash went off to the change room and sat down. "How are you Kingler? Not too tired I hope." Kingler shook what he had of a head. "How about you Snorlax?" Snorlax didn't answer because it was sleeping. "ZZZZZZ!" "I guess that answers my question. Snorlax return!" The tubby pokemon was sucked into his pokeball. "I choose you! Tauros!" Ash held up a pokeball containing his pokemon. "Pika?" "Don't worry Pikachu. I'll just switch Tauros for Snorlax so I have a fresh pokemon for the competition." "Time to go finalist." Jeered Darrel behind the locker room door. "Let's win this Pikachu!" Pikachu jumped on Ash's shoulder and pointed a paw to the door." "Lets go get'em." Said Pikachu. Ash laughed. "That's the attitude I want. Lets go!" Ash walked out of the locker room and out into the arena. Ash was shocked to see Gary on the other side of the ring. "Down to me and you ego king. Let's see what you're made of." Gary said the wrong thing to the wrong person. Ash was angry; his passion and will to win burned brighter. "Lets get this on." 1 Hour later. "This is a battle of all battles! Neither side has given any mercy. They are both down to their last pokemon with the early withdraw of Tauros. All of Gary Oaks pokemon have been fainted. The district D champion has recalled all of his pokemon after the matches. It is down to the champs Pikachu and Gary's Umbreon. (The fight went like this Gastly-Abra, Fearow-Kingler, Sandslash-Bulbasaur, Eggsecuter- Rapidash, Alakazam-Tauros,) "What? Giving up already?" Sneered Gary. "No just waiting for you to send out the next pokemon." "Go Umbreon!" Yelled Gary. "I choose you! Pikachu!" Ash yelled as his pokemon leapt out to do battle. "Time for a rematch." Growled Pikachu at Gary's Umbreon. "Have we met?" Asked the Umbreon. "We battled when you were Eevee. I've gotten better since then." Pikachu crouched close to the ground and prepared to attack. "Faint attack!" Ordered Gary. Ash waited before giving out his order. "Pikachu! Wait for it!" "Gotcha!" Pikachu had been powering up the entire match for the attack. This attack was the equal of ten thunder moves. Ash had thought of it as they went out to the arena. Pikachu would be gathering energy long before it would battle and then would relax. The effect would be a build up of electrical energy that Pikachu would contain throughout Pikachu' body. Once Umbreon hit Pikachu with any attack, that would be game over. "That's it. Get it Umbreon!" Encouraged Gary. Ash watched as Umbreon neared Pikachu and got an idea. "Pikachu! Dive to your right!" Ash yelled at the last second. Pikachu did as told and Umbreon sailed past him. "Pikachu! Bite him in the tail and then release the energy!" 'Oh, I get it' Thought Pikachu as dived under the Umbreon. 'The electricity Pikachu had built up will work better if Pikachu has a more direct line to Umbreon's body. If Pikachu bites Umbreon and unleashes the electricity, it will be a one hit KO for sure.' "Pika!" Yelled Pikachu in a battle cry as it did a flip to face the tail in question. "Umbreon, sand-attack." Yelled Gary suddenly. "Pikachu! Close your eyes!" Countered Ash. Pikachu closed it's eyes as it leapt forward and Umbreon kicked up some sand. Pikachu was faster than Umbreon and instead of biting a tail, Pikachu bite Umbreons leg. "Umbreon!" Growled the Umbreon in pain. "Now! Pikachu!" Pikachu opened it's eyes. Turned the sides of his mouth in a bit of a smile and sparks of electricity sparked from his cheeks. "Umbreon! Quick attack!" Gary yelled. Ash smiled at his opponents' optimism. Umbreon would not get up after this attack. "Chuuuu!" yelled Pikachu with his teeth in the other pokemon's leg. There was a rumble before the flash. "Zaaaaaaapppppp!" A large amount of electricity blinded the audience and short circuited the lights. Every person in the arena was in darkness except for one pokemon in the middle of the field. "Pikachu!" Pikachu was glowing a bright yellow, gold glow. Pikachu's movements could be traced by the crowd as the pokemon went back to it's trainer. Ash had descended the stairs and Pikachu jumped into Ash's arms; illuminating his features. "We seem ~crackle~ having ~zzzt~ difficulties. One moment ~scrrr~" Then the lights went back on. 'So Pikachu. What do we call that move? Electric Bite?' Whispered Ash. "Try Thunder Thrash." Said Pikachu in a voice that everyone could hear. Of course they heard Pikachu –Chu-Pika. Ash didn't smile when he saw Umbreon. It was breathing and in the middle of a black ring that the electricity made. "Umbreon! Are you alright?!" Cried Gary as he ran towards his unconscious pokemon. Gary knelt by his pokemon and lifted it's head on Gary's lap. "Ladies and gentlemen! We have a winner! The district D champion has won it in a fantastic display of a new move from his Pikachu." The roar was deafening! Ash had no other cheer to compare it to. It sounded like an eruption it was so loud. Ash then focused back at Gary; defeated and alone. "Pi?" Pikachu saw Ash's features change. Ash had lived to see the day when he beat Gary. Now that it was here, it was a bittersweet victory. Ash walked over to Gary and knelt. "Umbreon will be OK. It's just a little shocked. If you take it to a pokemon center, it should be back to normal by tomorrow morning," Gary looked up at Ash and saw who he truly was. Ash did the mistake of blocking out the light so only his silhouette could be seen. "Ash?" he asked in disbelief. Ash nodded and smiled. "Looks like you're the first person to see who I really was." Gary stood up slowly cradling Umbreon. "I may be the loser this time but, at least I have style. What did you do to your hair? It looks atrocious!" Ash sighed a cloud out of his mouth anime style. "Don't ask." Gary held out his hand and Ash was stunned. "Great match." Ash looked at the outstretched hand and put out his own in friendship. "Yeah, great match." Ash agreed. Gary then noticed something coming Ash's way from the stands and smiled wider. "Your wrong about me finding you out first." Said Gary with the same arrogance that he always had. "What?" Ash asked confused. Gary gestured with his head. "Look behind you." Ash prayed that Gary wasn't serious about it but, turned anyway. What he came face to face was Misty and Brock. Before anyone could clobber him or say anything, the stadium began to rumble. "Crummmbble. KA-BOOM!" When the dust cleared, a metallic monster that resembled a giant Nidoking had emerged in the middle of the field. Then, two voices could be heard clearly from the clunker. Disclaimer: I do not own pokemon or anything related to pokemon. Pokemon and its associated characters are copyrighted by Nintendo/Game Freak. This is a pokemon fanfic created by my mind only. Authur note: Those wondering why I haven't translated all of the poketalk, it is because Ash isn't used to his power yet and the translating wavers now and then.