A True Christmas Present Part 5 By zapdos1alpha Zapdos1alpha@hotmail.com AAMRN ~ ~ ~ ~ With a luxurious Luau to welcome them to the states and a legendary pokemon Bringing the first of several tasks. Ash, Misty and Brock are on their way to Las Vegas. ~ ~ ~ ~ Journal entry December 20, 2012 Begin Recording We are now on our way to Las Vegas, Nevada. What awaits us there I do no know. All I know is there is there is a man who wants to battle me. Why? Because I'm the ten-year champion for the Pokemon League and the longest running champion in history. Even though this journey has one hell of a mystery to it, it has been good for misty and I. We have worked out our differences and have gotten together. I feel complete. I knew I had been missing something over the past year. That something was misty. I've never been happier. But there will soon be problems. Misty has challenged the league for her over all masters' title and championship. When another master, type specialty, challenges the league for the over all title it is a randomly selected opponent. Damn computer selected me. The challenger is not made aware of this. I have been dropping hints to misty the past couple of days on which of her pokemon she needs to use and which attacks. She keeps telling me she needs to do this on her own. I have decided to support her decision. But I have the right to call the time and place of the battle. One problem another pokemon master must act as referee. Brock has agreed to go along with my plan. By battling misty after I battle our mysterious guide our pokemon will be more evenly matched. I just hope she will understand. End Recording Journal Entry #156678491 December 20, 2012 After finishing his journal entry ash made his way back to the front of the plane. Misty noticed the troubled look on ashes face as he sat down. "Ash you okay?" she asked. Smiling at her for her concern "I'm fine just, puzzled over all this. I know there is a main motive for calling me out here. Same for Misty. The first was to get us back together and that has been accomplished. The second is for this guy to battle me. It has yet to be done. I know there is a third but I can't put my finger on it." Ash replied completely skirting the issue he had on his mind. "I agree, ash." Brock said. "There has to be something else to it. I can't believe that anyone would put this together just to battle you." At that moment ash's pokegear began to ring signaling a phone call. Pulling it out and attaching it to his pokedex he answered the call "Mom, Hello. Is something wrong?" Ash said. "If there is I'll turn the plane around and come home." "No, ash darling. Nothing is wrong. Can you send me the voice file of the holochips?" She asked "Sure mom. But why would you need them?" Ash asked puzzled "Well I need to compare something, sweetie. It has been bugging me since the Luau. Once I have compared what I need to I may be able to provide a couple of answers to you about what is going on." Delia replied back. "Okay mom. Are you ready to receive?" Ash said. "Yes dear." Delia smiled. And there was a long silence as ash transferred the voice files from the two holochips. "Thank you ash. I have them here. I'll get back to you as soon as I can. I love you. Take care all of you." She said after recording the files. "Bye" "Bye mom. I love you too." Ash replied and turned the video pick up to Misty and Brock. "Goodbye Mrs. Ketchum." Brock and misty both said and the call was disconnected. "That was strange." Ash said only adding to his puzzlement. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Back in pallet Delia had rushed upstairs to the attic of her home. Pulling out an old journal she played the last entry. Listening to it always made her cry. It stated that her husband, Dennis Ketchum, was off exploring some unknown cave in Sri Lanka. He never made it out of that cave. That was twenty-two years ago. Picking up the journal and taking it to her now husband, Samuel Oak, was hard. "Sam." She said "Yes Delia. What is it? What's wrong?" he replied seeing the tears in her eyes and on her cheeks. "I think I know who is doing this to ash. But I need you to check something for me first. I need you to compare a couple of voice recordings to see if they are the same person." She replied shakily. "Okay. Let me see them." Sam replied and busied himself with recording the three recordings. After a few minutes of analyzing the recordings he motioned for delia to come closer. "Okay the top recording is from the journal. The second is from the Luau. The third I assume is form the volcano. The first and third are clean no electronic manipulation. They match perfectly. The second was altered to disguise the voice but there is enough matching to be eighty percent accurate." He finished. Delia just sank to her knees crying uncontrollably. Rushing to her side and comforting her he asked the question on his mind. "Delia who did the journal belong to? "De... de... Dennis." She choked out between sobs. Looking at the journal on the counter then back to his wife. "My god. He's alive." He said and continued to hold delia. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ "Well folks we are beginning our decent into Las Vegas's McCarran International Airport. Please be sure your tray table and seat backs are in the upright position. Thank you for flying with us today." The pilot said over the intercom. A short time later they were on the ground and heading for the nearest pokemon center. The taxi took them straight to the famous Strip and the center located there. It was unlike any they had ever visited before. A small hotel was there as well as Slot machines for the older trainers that stayed there. "Welcome. How can I help you?" Asked the nurse behind the counter. "We need to heal our pokemon." Misty said pulling out her pokemon. Brock and ash did the same. "Very well. I'll get nurse Sarah to take care of them for you." She replied. "Sir you'll have to place your pikachu into its pokeball for healing and rejuvenation." "Hmm. My pikachu really hates his pokeball. Can you heal him with out him being in it?" Ash explained and asked. "No we use a special machine that work in unison with the pokeball. He'll be healed far greater than him not being inside his ball." She replied sweetly. "PIKA!" pikachu replied and scurried into Misty's arms. "Pi pika chu pi pikapichu" "I understand pikachu. It will be for only a short time. I promise." Misty said comforting the small electric mouse. "Honest pikachu. Only for as long as it takes to be healed." Ash said as well. "Pika pikachu chu pika pikapi chu piakpichu." He replied "I know you have been in your pokeball more the past two days than you have over the last ten years. I want you to feel your best and be at your best if we have to battle." Ash said to him gently stroking his fur. "Pika" he replied and jumped onto the table. With a saddened look ash called back pikachu and set his ball with the others. A short time later they were called back over to retrieve their pokeballs. Ash was the last to get his back. "I must say sir, I have never seen pokemon this level before." Nurse Sarah stated. "What do you mean?" ash asked. "Well we do a full check up on the pokemon when they come in. That includes a scan for their level and health. It is unbelievable the level your pokemon are at. Here is a printout of their levels and health. I would hate to be the trainer that comes up against you." She replied and left. Ash couldn't believe how much his pokemon had grown over the last year. It was something he needed to show to brock but right now they needed to get rooms for the night. Walking up to the main counter he spoke briefly with the assistant nurse. "No I'm sorry we are all booked up. There is a league battle going on right now at the MGM Grand. I can call the other hotels to see if they have anything." She said. "Yes, thank you. That would be great." Ash said back. "Who should I say is wanting the rooms?" she asked picking up the phone. "Ash Ketchum." He replied to her. "Wait. Did you say Ash Ketchum?" the nurse asked. "Yes." Ash stated to her. "I have a package here for you. Arrived this morning." She said handing over a small padded manila envelope. "Thank you." He replied. "Hold off on calling the other hotels for a few minutes. We may already have rooms." She nodded her head and went back to entering information onto her computer. Ash released pikachu and walked back over to the other. "We have another message." He said while pulling out the projector. Sliding the chip in he turned on the unit. "Greeting my friends and welcome to Las Vegas. You do not need to bother about rooms they are already taken care of for you. You will be staying at the MGM Grand. They are playing host the Western Pokemon Tournament. Only trainers form the Western United States are allowed to enter. I have endorsed all of you if you care to enter. It begins tonight and will last through tomorrow. I have placed three new pokemon for each of you on top of the highest point in Las Vegas, The Stratosphere Tower. You must retrieve the pokemon and Holochip without the help of your pokemon. The owners and management of the hotel know your coming and will assist you in every way. Out side of Las Vegas is a pokemon reserve. You can catch any of the pokemon in the reserve much like the Safari Zone in Fuchsia City. I hope you take the time to catch pokemon there. Professor Oak would love to study them. Good luck all of you." Getting up and preceding to the door of the pokemon center the three needed to get checked in and then get to the Stratosphere. Turning ash let the assistant know they had rooms and not to worry. Nodding her head she returned to her work. Brock had already hailed them a cab and they were taken to the MGM. Paying the cab fare they headed in and got checked into the rooms. Misty loved the room she and ash were in. It was done up beautifully and the many shades of blue in the room made it appear soft and inviting. After a short rest and long make out session they went to get brock and head for the Stratosphere. Before leaving the hotel ash found an ATM machine. Knowing the high service cost he pulled a thousand out of his account. He didn't want to use the card Gladius gave him any more than absolutely needed. Climbing into the cab brock spoke up. "I wonder what is in store for us now." "I don't know brock. But I have a very terrible feeling something is going to go wrong." Misty said. Placing his arm protectively around misty ash mirrored her feelings. It was a short ride down the Strip. The lights were on in full force and it was an awesome sight. Ash and Misty had never been to Las Vegas before and was amazed at the beauty of it at night. They arrived at the Stratosphere. Walking in they spotted the front desk. Ash walked over to it leaving Misty with Brock. Misty felt a little smothered by the attention but was glad they were protecting her so much. It allowed her to watch ash with out having to watch out for her own self. "Excuse me. May I speak to your manager in charge here tonight?" ash asked the blonde desk clerk. "May I ask the reason as to why?" She replied softly. "It's a personal and private matter that only the manager can take care of." He replied back "It will be just a moment sir." She replied and bounced off. She returned a few moments later with a very tall and stocky man. "My name is William Hurst. I'm the manager on duty tonight. How can I help you tonight." He said even though ash was a good six feet tall he still had to look up at this man to talk to him. "My name is Ash Ketchum. I need to get to the top of your tower and retrieve items that were left there." Ash replied to the man. "Ash Ketchum did you say." William replied puzzled. "Yes that's right Ash Ketchum" ash nodded to the man. "Bernice. Take over I have something that needs to be done. It's task number eighty on your tag sheet." William said to his assistant. "Mr. Ketchum please this way." He said motioning him to follow. Ash waved Misty and Brock over so they could go up together. "This is Misty Waterflower and Brock Slate. They are my traveling companions." Ash introduced them to William. "William Hurst and it a pleasure to have you here." He replied shaking their hands dwarfing them completely. They spoke while heading to the elevators that would take them up to the top of the tower. William was explaining his initial shock to ashes name. "Quite honestly sir. When we received the information on you and your friends, we were not sure if you were real or not. When it said you had to retrieve something from our tower, we sent our best people up to find it but found nothing." "Well we are definitely real. As for the items I think they are there now. Placed there today by a pokemon." Brock replied. "Here are the elevators. It will be a quick ride up the one hundred and seven stories." William informed them. "It will feel like your stomach is left on the ground." They all got into the elevator and found William was correct. It did feel like their stomachs were left below. Walking up to the second story of the viewing area they proceeded outside. Once there ash scanned the tower but found nothing. Recalling the projection he looked to the top of the spire and found a silver box big enough to hold nine pokeballs. He watched as the chair shot up into the sky. He needed this ride shut down for a short time while they got that box. "Sir there is nothing here." William stated "Ah but there is William. Take a look on top of the spire." Ash said pointing. "We need to get that silver box. That ride needs to be shut down and locked down so we can get it." "We were instructed to aid you. But shutting down the big shot is..."William began. "Is what needs to be done to aid us. Brock and I will do the rest. We just need the ride shut down." Ash replied back while setting down his pack and pulling some climbing gear from it and put it on. William walked over to the ride operator and had him close the ride. As it shut down they heard the loud hiss of pressure being released. It soon stopped and William nodded to ash and brock that it was okay. Misty hugged and kissed ash and asked him to stay safe and she asked brock the same and hugged him. They looked at misty then at each other and in silence ash began to climb. It was a windy evening and the tower was swaying slightly. Ash knew he was a good climber. He had very little trouble making it to the top and securing himself he began to attach a pulley to the tower. He hooked a carabineer to the case and the rope to it as well. He slowly began to lower it. Once to the ground he removed the pulley and rope. Calling down to stand clear he dropped the pulley. He watched it fall and with a clang it hit the ground. Ash removed his safety and began his decent. At that moment a burst of wind made him lose his grip. A second burst of wind carried him off the spire and toward the side. Thinking he would hit the tower he braced himself. It never happened he was carried over the side. Looking he noticed the glass flying past him. Flipping over he pulled a pokeball from his belt throwing it he called for charizard. At the top of the tower screaming at the top of her lungs, misty ran for ash the fence she began to climb ready to jump off after him. Brock stopped her and watched in horror as ash plummeted to the ground below. They saw the bright flash of light and then saw charizard appear. It easily caught ash and flew him back to the top. Landing he placed ash on the ground and looked at misty. She ran over to ash and hugged him tightly. Soothing her and calming her down ash looked up at charizard. "Thank you, Charizard. I owe you my life." Ash said. "Char, charizard char char." It replied back. "Yes it was something. I may have saved you a long time ago. But you have saved me now. And not only me but someone else too." He replied stoking Misty's hair. "Charizard thank you for saving ash." Misty said to the dragon pokemon. Nodding its head it took off and sped around the tower before landing again. "I can not believe this." William said enthusiastically. "I have a charmander at home. I have never seen a charizard before." "Well train your charmander well and it will become a charizard." Ash said. "Do not force your pokemon to evolve because you want it to. Let it decide weather or not it wants to evolve for you. If it does you will have a bond with your pokemon that no one else will have. I made charmander evolve into charizard and he became unruly. We are now best friends and team mates." "I see this. I hope you will have a great stay from here on out in Las Vegas. I must return to work." William replied and left them. "Charizard we'll need to get you a new pokeball." Ash said. But he shook his head no and handed the ball to ash. He caught in shortly after being released and seeing the predicament they were in. Shaking his head ash took the ball. "Thank you again. You've earned this rest. Charizard return." He said. With that a red beam enveloped charizard as he returned to his ball. "Lets get back to the hotel" Brock said and the three headed back. Misty really never let go of ash that night. She new she should go home but couldn't not with ash nearly getting killed. She cherished every moment they spent together. The pokemon were sent back to Professor Oak since they all had the maximum amount of pokemon. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Samuel Oak was still comforting his wife. She had been hit hard with the realization that her original husband was still alive. He was a bit angry with him for not calling or writing to her all this time. Twenty-two years he spent away. It was hard for him to accept it too but the data didn't lie. Delia had stopped crying a while ago. She now just sat there rocking gently in her husband's arms. She was going through all the years since his disappearance. She had given up all hope of him being found or returning after five years. It was that point she turned her full attention to Ash. It was also at this time she found her bank account always had money in it. She had kept excellent records and knew she had always spent her paycheck. But yet her account always had money in it. Even when ash started his pokemon journey there was money there. Shortly after there was a lot of money there, enough to support her, the bills and ash on his journey. She never could explain it until now. She shot up in Samuels's arms. Realizing what was up she finally spoke. "Now I understand." "Understand what delia?" Sam asked startling delia. "Well Sam, all this time I have never wanted or needed for money. I never questioned why or how there was money in my account when I had spent all of my paycheck. Now I know. It was Dennis taking care of ash and I." She stated, "I need to tell ash." She started to get up and was stopped by Samuel. "Delia, think this through." He began. "One. Dennis is presumed missing after a five year search. Two. There has always been money in your account to support you and ash. Three. A man sets up a rendezvous between ash and misty to get them over their yearlong fight. Finally Four. This man is leading them to him. Ash will find out shortly. When he does, all hell is going to break loose. I know ash is still angry for his father leaving him. That's why it took him so long to accept me as his stepfather. This is one case I say we stay out of it and let it run its course." Looking to her husband and smiling sweetly she agreed and sank back down to the floor and his loving arms. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Once Misty, Ash and Brock had returned to the hotel they discussed what has been happening. After a great dinner, Misty decided to go swimming. This left Ash and Brock alone for a while to talk. "What's on your mind Ash?" Brock asked quietly. "I don't know if even battling will be enough." Ash replied. Seeing the puzzled look on brocks face he continued "I received a report today on my pokemon levels and hp." "How high are they?" Brock questioned. Ash handed the report over to brock after a few minutes of reading brocks expression turned to one of shock. "Ash this says pikachu is close to the 500 level not the 400 like you told me." "I know." He said worried. "I don't know if she'll be able to win against me." "Forfeit the match." Brock suggested. "I can't. Once the challenge has been seen and the opponent chosen the only one who can withdraw is the challenger." Ash replied. "It's like going up against the elite four for the first time. You face them in succession. You are given a chance to quit before each match. If you don't the battle commences and you continue on if you win. If your beaten then you go and train more then try again." "I see. Once the challenge is brought before you, a computer randomly selects the opponent and at the time of the match you offer the challenger the chance to leave peacefully." Brock stated summing up what ash had said. "Yes." Ash replied softly. "I can only help you ash. You have to make the choices. I can't do that for you. But you are stuck between a rock and a hard place." Brock said standing and placing a fatherly hand on ashes shoulder. Leaving the room he left ash with his thoughts and concerns. Once misty had returned from swimming and brock had a chance to call Melanie they sat down to listen to the new holochip. "Well I see that you are physically able to handle the final task. This is good. I hope you are all enjoying this trip. Even if you are being told where to go next. The good news is you do not have to leave Las Vegas tomorrow. You will remain there, for it is the location of the next task. Your task lies in the tournament. There are three American League gym leaders present. They are from Washington, Idaho and Utah. It is the perfect chance for you all to earn the three badges needed to face me. The three gym leaders are not slated to battle tomorrow. Special battle rooms were set up to emulate their gyms. They can hold a gym battle anywhere they choose. I hope you win ash. So our match can be an official American League Championship match. Your new holochip will be given to you after the third match. Goodnight for now and good luck." "Hmmm looks like we get to have some fun tomorrow." Misty said. "I'm looking forward to battling for the badges. "As am I." Brock responded. "How about you ash?" "I am too. It will be fun. But I'm not going to take any chances. I'm keeping Pikachu and Squirtle since they can work best as a team. But I'm calling in the heavy hitters on this one." He replied. Releasing charizard, cassy, bulbasaur, noctowl, umbreon, and espeon he spoke to them. "Okay guys. I know you have been my all star team. But right now I need some heavy hitters. I'll bring you back once we are finished here." After a brief discussion with his pokemon they all agreed and he recalled them all. Going over to the phone he dialed the lab number. A short time later Professor Oak answered. "Hello Ash, How are you?" He stated nervously. "I'm doing good. I'm sending back the majority of my team. I'm keeping Pikachu and Squirtle. I need you to send me my heavy hitters line up." Ash replied "I have them here. Which ones do you want?" Samuel asked. "I want Articuno, Moltres, Suicune, Raikou, and Entei." Ash replied evenly. Misty and Brock looked to each other with their jaws hanging wide open. They couldn't believe the powerful pokemon ash had. "What about Lugia, Ho-oh and Zapdos?" he asked again "Send Lugia as well. He'll make a nice psychic pokemon to round things out." Ash replied. "Okay ash, send your group over." Sam replied and saw the pokeballs appear. Sam placed the legendary pokemon on the transporter and keyed it. The six balls vanished and ash replied he had received all of the others. Looking to brock and Misty he nodded "Tomorrow we all face some tough trainers. I don't know how long they have been gym leaders or how strong their pokemon are. I do know this. We have been together through it all for the last thirteen years. We know each other's strengths and weaknesses. We will prevail because we are together. To our victories." He said holding out his hand. With a fire born of competition misty stood and placed her hand in ashes. Brock nodded as he stood and placed both his hands around theirs. "To our victories." They all repeated and separated. "We need to sleep. I have a feeling that after tomorrow we'll be seeing who is behind all this." Brock said. "Goodnight you two." He said as he left the room. Misty and ash watched him leave, and then looking to each other they said what was on both their minds with out talking. Tomorrow will be a very long day. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Well that's it for part 5. I hope your enjoying the story. Battles in the desert, a chance a three new badges. Will they win? Wait and see. If you're reading the fic thank you. Please send your review to zapdos1alpha@hotmail.com Any flamers please be kind it's my first fan fic. Not my first story but first fic.