Chapter - 13, Interlude

In the audience – 

People that were supporting Gary Oak, sadly clapped as he didn't win but gave a great battle and people celebrating Ash were jumping in Joy at his win and the amazing battle prowess he had showed in this battle. 

While some were sad, some happy, some angry at the loss of their bets. The most extreme reaction were Garys cheerleaders as they were crying while Hugging each other and Delia Ketchum shouting loudly as her son won while Misty and Brock tried to look as they didn't know that they knew who Delia or the Cheerleaders were. 

While in the private booth – 

Both Cynthia and Josh could not wait to battle them and they also looked at each other booths with a competitive spirit. 

While in another private booth – 

Professor oak was thinking something and looking at his Grandson and Pseudo-grandson in interest. And he had a face with full seriousness and his face not giving anything of his thoughts.

Professor Oak POV –

As I was watching the battle between my grandson and my Pseudo-grandson I couldn't help but remember when they were just small children and used to come to my lab and play with Pokémon, while Ash could make friends with even the most powerful and dangerous Pokémon, and Gary could be more of a tactical battler, they both inherited some of skills in training Pokémon. while Ash focused more on Quality and strength, Gary focused on Quality and diversity. Both admirable goals. While I was thinking that I remembered when I first met Ash, and while some might say why I remembered him as a mere infant, no that was my 2nd time meeting him, when I was a trainer myself, I had met the legendary Pokémon Celebi, and how I accidently time travelled to the future and met with Ash Ketchum. And after that I resumed my journey met many people and Pokémon and became the strongest Pokémon trainer in the Kanto and Johto regions by coming their champion. And after leaving my seat as a champion I had become a Professor and made the poke-Dex, I still laugh that I took an inspiration from myself. 

Now as I should stop musing about my past. Anyways after Gary chose Squirtle, I purposefully hid the other Pokémon and sent them to different researcher friends of mine, and gave Pikachu to Ash. And later somehow he had gotten the other 2 starters I had given my friends, got caught by ash. Later I learned about them safe to say I was angry would be a understatement and I think when I finished yelling at them, both of them had blood leaking out of their ears. And when ash was returning from his first journey, he had told me about what happened on New Island and everything about Team Rocket involvement to the legendries Mew and the new legendary created by Team Rocket, Mewtwo. And when he told me how he had gotten petrified and almost died. Safe to say I was scared, And when Ash told me how Mew had said that to gain more strength and this was just the beginning, I had to silently agree as I had met him in one of my/his adventures when saving a legendary. Soon he had asked me for some help and I was more than happy to help and he had left to Orange islands in a few days. His strength and Pokémon strength had increased by a huge margin and before I could say he could have easily reached Top 8 of the tournament Max, now his strength in total was of a lower ACE level. And when I didn't ask him about his training methods as I knew I keep my trainers privacy. But he had also contacted me about what I think of a rare mutation in a Onix. A Crystal Onix, thought to be a myth was found by Ash. And he had asked me to help him relocate to a safer place as he had heard some Pokémon hunters and Team Rocket was looking for it. and luckily ash had caught Onix, before they could case any harm to the rare Onix. When he transferred the Onix to me, I had contacted Lance about it, and informed him that I would keep the Onix with me and protect her near my Dragonite resting location. And I was also surprised when I was running test on her to find out she was pregnant. Wow Ash really had the Devils luck. And he had also caught some good Pokémon and trained them to a adequate level. And I think due to the Petrification and home sickness, Ash had become very protective of his mother. I mean seriously giving her A Meowth and A Mr. Mime for protection and not just some normal Meowth or Mr. Mime but both Pokémon had enough power to go toe to toe with a Gym leaders main team, and let me tell you they were no jokes. 

Now I currently I am here after the battle between both my Grandsons and I had to say both had done very-well for their 1st year into their journey. Now we just have to see what the new generation of monsters birth, and I know that one of the monsters were my colleges granddaughter Cynthia Shirona and boy she is powerful her strongest Pokémon and starter was at least on the level of a Mid-level ACE rank and her main team combined were on the level of Low Elite rank. That is something and I think within a year she should be able to reach high Elite and win the Sinnoh elite 4. While some may say I am bluffing you can see for yourself in a year. And for now, I can tell Gary was not ready to face her. And Ash he might be, but only 2 Pokémon of his are of her starter's level Pikachu Ash's starter that is around low Ace rank and Charizard his ACE that just made a break through and reached Mid-level ACE. And that is some power ash possess. And I think my Dragonite was a brutal but a good teacher in teaching Charizard. Now I just know that the battle between Ash and Cynthia is going to be an amazing battle and I would be here watching them. 

Delia POV –

Oh, I am so proud of my little boy, he has come so far from when he just started with his Pikachu. Oh, I am so proud of the man he is becoming. And the way he battles and his strategies along with all his Pokémon are so cute and I think I will especially thank Ash was giving such a cute Meowth and Mr. Mime, I know they are no ordinary Pokémon and he himself trained them for my safety even though I don't need such strong safety, while I am not any Pokémon trainer, but I can tell both of them are strong and according to Professor Oak, they should be able to go toe to toe with a high class gym leader. And while I am grateful for Ash for giving me such strong Pokémon, I can't help but think I took some of his strong Pokémon. until he showed me some of his Pokémon and he just wanted for me to be protected and he Knew I would feel lonely at home, so he got me Meowth and Mr. Mime, and I am happy with that. 

Ash has also gotten a lot more attached to me, and I think finally after a year without me also might be cause of that, I did not want to let him go his journey but it is a gateway of passing for everyone to go on a journey in their life at least once to know the world and themselves and Ash has done wonderful till now. I know Ash is a little tense with a match with a girl names Cynthia who according to ash is one of the toughest trainer and won the last year Sinnoh League. And I know just the thing that will help him relax and get back, my homemade food should help him. 

Delia: come, Mr. Mime lets make a delicious meal for Ash and his friends. 

Mr. Mime: Mime Mr. Mime. 

Brock POV –

As I was reading the books Ash got for me from the Orange Islands, I couldn't help but remember my life before I met Ash. Me, Ash and Misty and our adventures across the Kanto region. Then Ash going to train in the Orange Islands and then meeting him in the Kanto League. When I first saw Ash battling in the Kanto League, I couldn't help but smile, about how when Ash battles me for the 1st Official Badge at the Pewter Gym and now seeing him battle made me truly proud of him. And I can also say that me, Ash and Misty have learned a lot from each during our adventures. I also learned a lot from by meeting Professor Oak, I learned a lot about Pokémon from him, and when I met Ash's mom Delia, I learned she was an amazing cook and learnt some of her own recipes and also I learned some homemade recipes from her. Soon I saw, Ash after his battle with his Rival Gary Oak. As I saw him walking towards Nurse Joy, and I ran towards her to propose to her of my undying love. 

Misty POV –

As I was outside the Pokémon centre seeing Ash's water Pokémon and I couldn't believe how many he had beautiful water type Pokémon and other cute Pokémon's he has caught. During his training in the orange Islands and according to Ash, professor has allowed to him to bring all of his Pokémon to watch his final battle with at the Kanto League. Yeah couldn't believe that the boy that I fished out of the river on his first day of his journey would be now competing to win the Kanto League. As I was petting Ash's Lapras and Vaporeon. Oh they are the most beautiful Pokémon she has seen. Its sad that she couldn't pet Ash's Empoleon and according to Ash and Professor Empoleon's do not likes to be pet by anyone other than their trainers and are extremely prideful and their pridefulness could be compete with any Charizard. 

Soon I went to my own Pokémon and made sure they were okay and well fed, and I turned towards the Pokémon centre to see Brock kneeling front of Nurse Joy, oh no you don't mister. As I thought and ran towards Brock and to stop him from harassing Nurse Joy anymore. 

Pikachu POV –

After Nurse Joy had healed us, and told us to rest and returned rest of my other team members in their poke-balls, I went towards the window to see the moon, during my travel with my trainer Ash and his friends we got an habit of seeing the moon and the stars, before going to sleep. As I saw the sky I couldn't help but I couldn't help but remember my life, when I was a small Pichu till I met Ash then our meeting on the first day, our fight and then our adventure across the Kanto Region, our various gym battles and then the dreadful day I will never forget, the day we met the legendary Lady mew and her clone created by Team Rocket, and how almost Ash died and he was bought back by Lady Mew and how from then on our training got more serious and Charizard also returned to our team and we started our serious training, in the Orange islands and we met many more comrades and we also challenged the Orange gym's and won them all, and during training with Chansey and Mr. Mime under Gravity along with Ash and then we started to follow a patter Eat, Train, Heal and Rest, Eat, Train, Heal and Rest, Eat, Train, Heal and Rest… and to get over that continuous loop, Ash had decided to challenge the Orange island Gyms and explore various islands sometimes and soon our gruesome training trip ended and we came to the Kanto League and after 5 days we will face the greatest challenge to win the Kanto League, Cynthia Shirona the greatest challenge and just from seeing her I could feel strength and her scent had carried of a very strong Dragon and Ground type Pokémon. And just from the scent I felt she was very dangerous and seeing her clip of her starter Pokémon and her winning the Sinnoh League also made a good motivation for me and Charizard. As I was thinking of our next opponent a voice came that scared me. 

Chansey: you should go to sleep Pikachu, tomorrow is the day we go see our opponent you should sleep and get a full rest NOW. 

Pikachu: yes mam. 

Saying that I went to the bed and shut my eye. That was Chansey the only one that none of us team will not say no to her and disagree with her. We all were scared of her, and all listen to her even Ash and Charizard will not disagree with her. As I was thinking that, sweet sleep hit me and I fell asleep. 

Ash POV – 

Soon I was talking with Nurse Joy about my Pokémon when suddenly Brock came and before he could say 3 words misty came and took him away by the ear. And after knowing my Pokémon condition I left and met up with mom, and she made her famous food and soon we were joined by Brock, Misty, Professor Oak and Gary. Soon after having our dinner we went to our respective cabin and I had some good rest while on my bed I think about my battle with Gary and about Cynthia and how would our fight go, will I win? While many questions were going through my head, I heard mom's voice. 

Mom: honey, is something the matter?

She said while sitting on the side of the bed and stroking my head. 

Ash: I was thinking about the fight with Gary and my match that will be soon happen with Cynthia…

Mom: son, go to sleep, thinking about it now won't make much of a difference, you and your Pokémon have trained hard and I know you will do well. 

Ash: mom, will you sing to me like you used to do when I couldn't sleep?

Mom: sure, honey. 

As mom sang the lullaby, sweet sleep took me and I fell asleep. 

3rd person Pov – 

Mom: good night sweety, I love you and I am proud of you. Always remember that. 

As Delia said that she kissed her son's forehead and left the room to sleep herself. 

Soon the next day we see Ash, Delia, Brock, Misty, Professor Oak and Gary sitting in the audience to watch the fight between Cynthia Shirona and Josh Renner….