The More They Stay the Same

Disclaimer - I don't own anything! Just your average klepto, stealing characters and forcing them to bend to my every whim!

Author - Warlordess

Dedication - Happy happy, joy joy, happy birthday to my dear friend (and rl kindred spirit), ​CultofWinters/CultofPokeshipping/Mike! You're a great guy and you deserve the world! Unfortunately, I'm pretty strapped for cash so I can't give it to you, but I can hopefully give you a little piece by offering this fic to the Gods in your name! Also, I make you suffer dearly at the hands of one, Ash Ketchum! Aaah, well, you'll see what I mean when you start reading... =3

Anyway, like I said, you're really important to me, you have a kind and courteous soul and I hope it remains strong through any trying times. Hoorah, you made it to 24 years old! That's a wonderful accomplishment despite the struggles presented to you by our effed up world, and I hope to help carry you through whatever things wicked this way will come! Love you, man!

OoOoO

Summary - It was always important to take stock of how much they'd grown. Without that, there would be no definition of their limitations. After all, as wise men once said: The more things change...

OoOoO

Things had c-h-a-n-g-e-d.

"Challenger Michael's Mr. Mime is unable to battle! The round goes to Kanto Champion, Ash Ketchum!" an enthusiastic voice blared over the speaker system, cheers erupting from the spectators who'd been watching the current match.

Ash recalled Charizard to his Pokeball in a flash of red light, holding the capturing device up to his forehead and whispering his thanks for the Pokemon's hard work. Then he placed the ball back on his magnetic belt and turned to the ever-present electric mouse on his shoulder.

"Pikachu, this is the last one. You think you got what it takes to help us beat 'em?" he asked, already knowing the answer he was going to receive, and sure enough his longest-time partner pumped his little fist high and nodded, leaping away from his trainer and scurrying down the safety zone, out onto the battlefield.

"Champion Ketchum has chosen Pikachu to be his final combatant! Now he waits with assuredly bated breath for Michael to pick his own; a competitor that will make or break his victory in their last one-on-one challenger battle!"

Ash viewed the teenage boy across the stadium from him looking somewhat pensive, probably internally debating his options, before withdrawing a new Pokeball from his waist and launching it forward, a blast of white light illuminating the silhouette of a hulking, rigid mass. It wasn't until the Pokeball had returned to its trainers hand that the light faded and a Chesnaught was revealed, raising their arms and howling triumphantly at their opportunity to prove themselves.

"Oh, Michael chooses to battle using Chesnaught, the famed grass-type starter from the distant Kalos region! What's more, electric is notoriously weak to grass-type Pokemon! Perhaps Champion Ketchum has made a mistake in relying on his Pikachu despite their years of camaraderie?"

Ash felt an inkling of irritation bubble up within him at the sportscaster's quip but bit it back and mentally shoved it down into the recesses of his consciousness. The whole point of a sport commentator was to rile up the crowd. The man was just doing his job. Besides...

... Nobody could be sure about a mistake being made until the match was over.

His stroke of confidence and smirk were both suddenly cut short when he felt a vibration in his cargo pants pocket. He shuffled awkwardly at the tingling discomfort and shoved a hand down to press the hold button on his cell-phone, silencing whoever was messaging him for now. He had other, more pressing matters at the time to be honest and couldn't afford to be distracted.