Ash's Return: A Pokémon Story

Chapter Seven: The Finals

The surviving members of Team Rocket, including Jessie and James, were being led away by the Police and locked into vans. Gary's body was being stretchered into an ambulance. He was covered by a sheet, but a breath of wind lifted the covering from his face. Ash felt a rush of sadness and remorse at what had happened, wishing it could have ended another way. He would break the news to Gary's family himself and fill in the gaps of what he had been doing since his disappearance. The truth would hurt them, but they deserved to know. Ash knelt down to where Pikachu was standing and stroked his head slowly.

"They won't bother anyone anymore, Pikachu," he said. "We accomplished that much." Pikachu nodded slowly and stared at him. Ash could sense he was asking a question. "The competition? I don't know what will happen."

Brock and Misty approached and the of three of them grasped each other's shoulders, grateful that they had all made it through the battle mostly unscathed, with only a few minor injuries as proof of their taking part.

"I've been told the championship is to continue in three days, after they've done some basic repairs on the stadium to make it safe," Brock said as they stood in a circle. Pikachu looked up at them all from the centre.

"I'm glad you're both here with me," said Ash, smiling at his friends. "I couldn't have gotten this far without you."

"This far, Ash?" said Misty. "It's not over yet."

* * *

Despite the tough competition he faced in his opponents, Ash made it through to the final. He would face Angela, a Fire Spinner from the US who was famed for her unpredictability in battle. She had wiped the floor with the other finalists she had faced, but Ash was not despondent; she had never faced him before.

Ash and Pikachu were waiting under the stands for one last time. As he closed his eyes, Ash could visualise himself lifting the winner's cup into the air. He felt Pikachu's nose nudge his leg, and looked down.

"No matter what happens, I'm so proud of you, my brother," he said to his Pokémon. "No matter the outcome, we've had an adventure and it was all worth it." Tears formed in the corners of his eyes. Pikachu stared back at him, then gently leaped up to his shoulder. He unzipped Ash's backpack with his teeth and climbed in, rummaging around.

"What are you looking for, buddy?" asked Ash, but his question was soon answered. Pikachu climbed out, carrying a small satchel in his mouth. Without looking inside, Ash knew what it was.

"But, Pikachu, you don't have to—"

"Pika!" the Pokémon yelled. Ash sighed. He opened the satchel and pulled out the Thunder Stone.

"Are you sure?" he asked. Pikachu nodded assertively and gave Ash's hand a push. Ash met Pikachu's eyes, seeing the resolution. He nodded.

"Ready?" he asked. Pikachu responded simply by closing his eyes. Ash gently pushed the Thunder Stone onto Pikachu's chest, and after a few seconds he shone with a bright, white light.

* * *

"Welcome, Ladies and Gentlemen, to the final of the Pokémon World Championship!" the announcer's voice boomed from the speakers. The crowd erupted with noise. Ash stood on his podium, with Raichu at his side. The Pokémon's muscles rippled as he moved and his features had sharpened, but he was still easily recognisable as Ash's oldest friend. Across the stadium, Angela faced Ash on the other podium, with her Pokémon Arcanine sat stiffly next to her.

"We will now have a one-minute silence to commemorate the loss of life caused by the recent attack. Please stand." As one, every spectator present rose from their seats. Ash bowed his head. He pictured the stadium after the bombing; dust and rubble everywhere, screams of pain. The sights and sounds of that day would haunt his nightmares for years to come. He thought of Gary, and wished he could have done more to save him. His family were devastated. Ash had met them in the city and retold the tale of Gary's demise. Professor Oak looked crushed. Lulu was in shock. Ash was wracked with guilt, but he knew Gary's downfall was not his doing. Team Rocket alone carried that burden.