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If I Could Change the World	By : suomynonakun Category: Pokemon > General Views: 9754 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Pokemon, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 10
- 11
To Surge's fury, Sabrina was amazingly calm, despite the threat he was proposing. Sabrina watched, her expression impassive as he advanced on her, nothing but impure thoughts on his mind. His massive hands grabbed her roughly by her shoulders. Sabrina looked up at him, allowing him to see her dark brown eyes. He watched as they narrowed at him.

Surge was suddenly unable to move; his arms, legs, head, everything was frozen in position. He frantically tried to walk but remained still and unmoving.

Sabrina withdrew herself from his grasp, a slight smile forming on her pale face. With a flick of her wrist, Surge flew across the room, still dressed in his boxers, his pants around his ankles. He hit the opposite wall with a loud thud and slid to the floor, unconscious.

Sabrina's abilities differed from Ash and Gary's in that they were not derived from a pokemon. Sabrina had developed her powers on her own and was skillful at using telekinesis, moving objects, even as large as Surge, with her mind.

Sabrina turned her attention to Blaine, who was busy trying to battle six of his pokemon against around twenty five of Team Rocket's. She quickly reached into the folds of her robes, pulling out her six of her own pokeballs. She tossed them into the battle, watching as her pokemon quickly joined Blaine's forces.

Erika's pokemon, all grass type, were having little luck against Blaine's fire type, but the variety of other pokemon were keeping Blaine's pokemon in check. Even with the added help from Sabrina's psychic pokemon, Team Rocket managed to faint all but Sabrina's and Blaine's strongest pokemon. Sabrina's alakazam stood by her side, while Blaine's archanine growled at the Rockets.

The Rockets formed a circle around them, blocking any means of escape.

"Finish them off," Erika commanded her forces.

All of the trainers cried a different attack at once. Blaine's eyes widened, his hope gone, and then he saw it. A little yellow pikachu pushed his way to the center of the circle. He scampered to Blaine's feet.

"Pikachu get out of here," Blaine said, looking hurriedly at the opposing pokemon as they prepared to attack.

"Chu," the pokemon said, stubbornly shaking his head.

Blaine didn't have to understand pokemon speech to know what Pikachu was saying. He was as stubborn as his trainer.

Pikachu glanced around the circle; the opposing pokemon stood glaring at him. He racked his brain for an attack that would wipe out the entire group in one shot, without knocking out Blaine and Sabrina at the same time. He smiled, remembering an attack Ash had taught him a year ago, Thunder Whip.

Blaine watched as the yellow rodent powered up. Pikachu cried his name out and Blaine stood, amazed as twenty five or so thin bolts of lightening shot from Pikachu's body. Each bolt fastened itself around an opposing pokemon's neck, almost as if it were a lasso.

The pokemon looked at the bolts, confused. They tried to pull away but the bolts only tightened painfully.

Blaine looked on, amazed at the yellow rodent's attack. The pokemon began to panic, rearing up on their hind legs, frantically trying to free themselves. Even though the bolts were still attached to Pikachu, he didn't seem to be feeling the sharp tugs the pokemon were giving.

Blaine watched as Pikachu's eyes glinted maliciously and a small grin formed on it's furry face. Without warning electricity quickly made it's way down each of the bolts and electrocuted all of the pokemon around the circle. The room began to smell of burnt skin as the electricity coursed through each of the pokemon's bodies. When the electricity subsided, all the pokemon lay fainted on the floor. The bolts of lightening disappeared as quickly as they had come.

Erika and the trainers looked at their pokemon, horrified. They slowly began to back away from Pikachu, who was now scratching the back of his ear with a paw. In almost one motion they all turned and began to run from the room. When Pikachu saw this he snapped back to attention. He released a powerful thunder wave, and the entire group fell to the floor, unconscious.

Blaine's jaw dropped and Sabrina raised an eyebrow. Single handedly Pikachu had taken out almost twenty-five pokemon and ten humans. Recovering from his surprise Blaine said, "We have to go help the others."

~*~*~

Richie rolled quickly to his right, the heat from Lorna's charizard's flame-thrower attack causing him to sweat. The spot of grass he had just been occupying burst into flame as the charizard's attack hit it. He quickly grabbed a pokeball and released his only water pokemon before the charizard could aim another attack at him. A wartortle appeared in front of him, ready for battle.

"So you want to battle, dear Richard?" Lorna asked, a smile on her face.

"Wartortle, hydro pump," Richie commanded the small turtle pokemon. Wartortle released it's strongest attack on the charizard, who, to Richie's dismay, wasn't phased at all.

"That was cute," Lorna jeered. "Now it's my turn. Char, slash!" The charizard lunged at Wartortle, her sharp claws ready to slash him to pieces.

"Withdraw!" Richie cried.

The charizard roared angrily as her claws bounced harmlessly off of Wartortle's hard shell.

"I'm tired of this," Lorna said. "Char, crush it."

Richie watched in horror as the huge pokemon lifted one of her gigantic feet and stomped down on Wartortle. When she lifted her foot, the water pokemon lay crushed, his shell split in two.

"Wartortle!" Richie cried, running to his fallen pokemon. After a moment he looked up at Lorna, his face contorted with rage. "You killed him."

Lorna simply shrugged.

Not too far away the battle between Misty, Brock and Koga's forces had stopped. They all stood, watching the standoff between Richie and Lorna. Everyone, including the Team Rocket members, was in shock; no one had ever seen a pokemon kill before.

"You bitch!" Richie said, angrily lunging at Lorna. Her charizard quickly swung her tail, knocking Richie to the ground. She placed her massive foot on top of his chest, pinning him down.

Lorna turned to Misty and Brock. "Recall your pokemon and give them to Koga, or my charizard will crush him." As if to prove her point the charizard pressed harder on Richie, causing him to groan.

"Don't do it!" Richie told them. He cried out as the charizard applied more pressure to his chest.

Misty and Brock exchanged unsure glances as they looked around the courtyard. They knew they were fighting a losing battle; half of their pokemon were already fainted. They simply didn't have enough people or pokemon to fight back. Sighing, Misty recalled her pokemon and handed them to Koga. Brock reluctantly did the same thing.

"Tie them up," Lorna commanded.

Blaine, Sabrina, and Pikachu rushed through the large hole in the wall, ready to battle. They stopped short upon seeing a charizard standing on Richie, and Team Rocket members tying Brock and Misty's hands behind their backs.

"Newcomers," Lorna said. "Don't try anything or my charizard will flatten him into the grass."

Blaine and Sabrina stood helplessly as two Rockets came and tied them up also. Pikachu remained still, unable to think of an attack that would take out the charizard without hurting Richie.

Lorna smiled wickedly. "Looks like you lose Richard," she said, looking down at him. "Even as we speak, more of Gary's army is storming the mansion. It's over."

~*~*~

Ash had only just avoided being hit with Gary's first attack. For a while both Ash and Gary remained silent, neither talked or used his powers.

"So," Gary said, breaking the silence. "How did you like my disable attack?"

Ash glared into the darkness, then powered up, releasing a thunder wave towards the sound of Gary's voice. The attack hit the wall harmlessly.

"That's what I love about my powers," Gary taunted. "I can sense where you are, but you have no clue where I am."

Ash was suddenly overcome by a wave of dizziness. Sensing this, Gary used it to his advantage. He powered up, a large silver glow forming around him. Before Ash even had a chance to react, Gary sent a psychic at him. Unable to even standup straight, Ash was hit full on by the attack. He flew backwards, towards the gym wall.

Lorna had just tied Richie up when a loud crash made everyone in the courtyard look towards the mansion. They watched as a man crashed through the wall and slid across the grass, finally skidding to a stop a good distance from them.

Gary climbed through the hole Ash had made when his psychic attack sent him flying through the wall. When Misty realized the man lying on the ground was Ash, her stomach dropped. But then, she and the other's watched, amazed, as he slowly struggled to his knees.

For a moment Gary faltered. "How are you still alive?"

Ash slowly stood up, shaking his head to clear it.

"I hit you with a full power psychic!" Gary said in disbelief.

Ash shrugged. "Let's see how cocky you are when I can see you to attack you."

Gary sneered, although it was obvious some of his confidence was gone. The two men began to circle one another, oblivious to all the people who stood watching. Ash flipped away from a psybeam Gary suddenly launched at him. The attack hit a tree with enough force to knock it over. Ash countered with a thunder bolt, but Gary teleported out of the way.

To all who watched, the fight could be compared to a battle between gods. Ash and Gary quickly shot attacks at one another, each more powerful than the one before. Nature itself seemed angry, for as they fought, dark storm clouds began to form in the sky. Everyone was so enraptured by the fight, no one noticed a figure climb over the courtyard walls and begin to sneak stealthily towards the crowd.

Misty discreetly tried to loosen the ropes that bound her hands. All eyes were on the fight between Ash and Gary, giving her leeway to slowly back away from the group. She was taken by surprise when a hand suddenly covered her mouth, muffling the scream that emitted from her lips. She was dragged behind a group of trees, out of the sight of her enemies and friends.

Misty struggled to free herself from the newfound threat. She was turned around and found herself face to face with a young man with short spiked black hair, a red sweatband wrapped around his head. Her eyes widened in surprise as he slowly removed his hand from her mouth. "Tracey?" she hissed in disbelief.

He smiled timidly and turned her around to untie her hands.

"What are you doing here?" she asked, astonished, looking over her shoulder.

"Ash called Professor Oak and told him what was going on. When I found out, I realized� well, I�ve been pretty selfish. And an ass. I rounded up trainers from Pallet and came to help," Tracey explained as he finished untying her.

She turned to face him, gingerly rubbing her wrists. "There are way to many Rockets. Even with the added help of Pallet Town trainers, we'll never be able to stop them."

Tracey broke into a grin. "I made a few calls before I came. When people found out what was going on they were more than willing to help."

"So how many people do you have?" Misty asked.

"About one hundred fifty."

Misty looked at him in surprise. "Where are they?"

"Outside, waiting for my signal," Tracey told her, looking pleased at her reaction.

Misty gave him a hug. "I'm glad you're back. I couldn't believe it when you and Ash stopped talking."

He looked at the ground. "That was my fault. I ruined our relationship, and he never did anything to me but be my friend."

Misty looked at him sympathetically. "Tracey, you've known Ash for years. He's very forgiving. I bet he'll be glad you want to reconcile."

"Where is he?" Tracey asked.

A moment later a thunder bomb crashed into a tree a few yards away from them. They both stared at the spot where the tree had stood moments before. "Was that from Pikachu?" Tracey asked, his eyes fixed on the smoldering crater that now occupied the place of the tree.

"No," Misty told him. "That was Ash."

"Ash?" Tracey repeated, confused.

"Wait here," Misty said. "I'll go get Brock." Tracey watched as she snuck from behind the trees.

Placing her hands behind her back so as not to alert any casual onlooker, Misty resumed her position next to Brock. They stood near the back, out of the view of most of the Rockets. Brock looked at her, his eyebrows raised. "Where did you go?" he whispered.

"Be quiet and follow me," she ordered.

Once they were safely behind the trees Misty dropped her hands and began to untie Brock.

"What's going on?" Brock asked, confused as to how Misty had freed herself.

"Brock look who's back," Misty said as she finished untying him.

He turned to see Tracey standing behind him. "What are you doing here?" Brock asked.

"I came to help," Tracey told him.

Brock looked him over suspiciously. After a moment, Brock apparently he decided he could trust him, because he turned to Misty saying, "What's the plan?"

Misty explained about the trainers Tracey had rounded up.

"Well," Brock said, after hearing the news. "Send about a hundred to the front of the mansion, Lorna said more of Gary's forces were attacking."

Misty nodded. "Yes and with the help of the rest of the trainers, we may be able to take out Koga and Lorna's forces."

"But Koga has our pokemon," Brock pointed out.

"Actually," Tracey said, interrupting. He grinned as he pulled twelve miniaturized pokeballs from his pockets. Misty and Brock raised their eyebrows. "Tracey shrugged. "What can I say? I'm an amateur pickpocket." He pulled a few bottles from his pockets after handing them their pokeballs. "I brought some potion for you guys too."

"Wow," Brock said. "You sure came prepared."

"I'll go tell the trainers the plan," Tracey said. They watched as he jogged to the courtyard wall and climbed over.

Ash and Gary were both ready to launch another attack at each other, one glowing silver, the other gold, when a loud shout caught both their attentions. Ash watched in fascination as he realized the shout was a battle cry, and about fifty trainers had just attacked the Rockets.

Gary frowned when he saw his troops being attacked, but returned his attention to his adversary, whom he was pleased to see was still watching the fight. Gary smiled, ready to use Ash's distraction to his advantage. Gary was already powered up so he launched a psychic at him.

Ash didn't see the attack coming until it was too late. For the second time that day a psychic hit him, and he felt himself be flung painfully to the ground. He lay on the ground dazed for a while, then sat up, his head spinning.

Gary stood, not far from him, a triumphant look upon his face. "What do you think, Ash? One more psychic should finish you off."

Ash didn't say anything, but he knew Gary was right. Another hit like the last one could very well kill him. Ash tried to get up, but he only made it to his knees before another wave of dizziness from Gary's disable overcame him. He watched, helpless as Gary released another psychic.

"No!" Ash heard a voice cry. Before he knew what was happening, a man had jumped in front of him, shielding him from the attack. Gary's attack blew the man backwards, off his feet, and Ash caught him. He looked at the young man's face in disbelief. "Tracey?" he asked.

A numbness came over him as he looked at his mortally wounded friend. "Why did you do that?" Ash said, horrified at the sacrifice Tracey had just made.

"Without you," Tracey began weakly. "Gary will win. Only you can stop him." He grimaced in pain. "I'm sorry for everything Ash."

"It's okay Tracey," Ash told him. With that, Tracey's body fell limp, and Ash gently laid his dead body on the ground.

The gathering storm clouds finally burst open as Ash stood up, anger building in his very core. The rain poured down, trickling down his face and flattening his ebony hair to his head. The rain began to soak through Gary's clothes and a small shudder ran down his spine, not from the cold, but from fear. His enemy glared at him, the expression on his face so calm it was unnerving. "This ends now, Gary," Ash said, his voice low and deadly.

The sky was suddenly lit up as a bolt of lightening cut through it, followed closely by a loud crash of thunder. The rain poured down, soaking all who fought in the courtyard. Once they were joined by the extra trainers, the fought quickly turned against Team Rocket. By working to together more than half of the Rockets' pokemon were fainted.

Misty was the first to see it. Shining bright among the dark clouds hovered a glowing golden ball that grew in size as she watched. Pikachu looked up and he flattened his ears to his head in awe. It was only when the little pokemon uttered, "Pikapi," did Misty realize that the glowing ball was none other than Ash himself.

The fight began to quell as others began to notice what was going on above them. They stood, rain sliding down their faces, watching and waiting to see what would happen.

Gary stood, ready to teleport if necessary. He had no idea what Ash was up too. He wiped his soaked face with his sleeve and continued to look up, watching as the golden glow surrounding Ash continued to grow larger. Suddenly Gary understood exactly what Ash was doing. He was drawing power from the electric energy in the clouds. Gary's eyes widened as he realized that this attack would be similar to the one a Team Rocket Headquarters, except on a much larger scale. He quickly prepared to teleport, but it was too late. An enormous lightening bolt shot at him, moving so quickly he had no chance of escape.

Misty watched as the bolt of lightening , which was wider than Gary himself, struck him. The entire courtyard was illuminated by the light and everyone shielded their eyes, the brightness too much to take. Still keeping her eyes shaded, Misty looked up at Ash, who was slowly descending from the clouds, but still concentrating on his attack.

When Ash's feet gently touched the ground the attack stopped. Both men fell to the ground, Ash unconscious and Gary dead.

All was quiet for a moment as everyone stood frozen in place, shocked. Then slowly, some of the Rocket's tentatively neared Gary's charred body. His skin was black from electrical burns and the smell of cooked meat lingered around him.

Misty ran to Ash's side. He was unconscious, but otherwise unhurt. The rain began to taper off, and the dark storm clouds dissipated, allowing the warm sunlight to break through and shine down upon the scene.

~*~*~

Whispers. That's all he could hear. Although it seemed like hundreds of voices, he was sure it was only a few. The whispering was making his head spin as it all bunched together becoming an indecipherable hiss. Then, almost without realizing it, he was able to make out words.

"Will he be ok?" The phrase echoed through him as if his body was an empty cavern.

"I don't know. That attack was so powerful. It took almost everything he had."

He recognized the voices. Misty and Brock. He felt as though he was swimming. He was deep, under murky water, swimming through his clouded mind. He desperately tried to break the surface, to wake up.

They didn't notice when he first opened his eyes. He slowly looked around the room, allowing his vision to focus. He heard a small voice squeak, "Pikapi!" and felt a light weight press on his chest as Pikachu climbed on him.

"Hey, Pikachu," Ash mumbled, petting the pokemon.

At the sound of his voice Misty and Brock looked at him, surprised.

"You're awake!" Misty said, relieved to see his golden brown eyes open and alert.

Ash slowly sat up, smiling slightly when Pikachu slid from his chest and landed softly in his lap. He glanced around, seeing that he was in his room. The crimson shades were pulled open, allowing the sunlight to stream through the window and illuminate the room. Ash never did like the coloring of his room, he was set on the color black, so crimson and cream did not seem to suit him well.

"What happened?" Ash asked, looking to Misty and Brock for answers.

"You've been unconscious for three days," Brock told him. "Gary is dead, and the rest of the Team Rocket members are in jail, awaiting trial, along with Erika, Surge, Koga, and Lorna."

Ash nodded in approval.

"Ash that attack was incredible!" Misty said.

"Yeah," Brock agreed. "It was fortunate that storm came up, it gave you a lot of extra power."

Ash raised his eyebrows. "That storm came up because it was part of my attack."

Misty and Brock frowned, unsure of what he meant.

Noting their puzzled expressions, Ash explained. "One of my attacks, hurricane, is similar to solar beam. It takes a while to form, but it gives you a lot of extra power."

"So that entire storm was created for one of your attacks?" Brock asked.

Ash nodded.

Brock and Misty said nothing as they both looked at him in awe.

~*~*~

Ash sat quietly eating his dinner in the mansion's dining room. It was late and everyone else had eaten hours ago. Ash sighed sadly. It had been six days since the battle with Gary and they had held Tracey's funeral earlier that day. Ash was still in his suit although his tie was untied, hanging loosely around his neck. Ash looked remarkably different without his trench coat and with a hair cut. Although his hair had never been long, it was noticeably shorter.

Ash looked up when the door opened. Richie entered the room and gave him a small smile. With a suit on, Ash looked very similar to Richie with the exception of his black hair.

"How are you doing?" Richie asked as he settled himself in the chair across from Ash. He knew Ash was taking Tracey's death very hard.

"Not bad," Ash responded before taking another forkful of his dinner.

Richie opened his mouth to say something but was interrupted when May walked into the room, her long brown hair pulled neatly into a bun. Although May had been saddened by the death of her brother, she hadn't blamed Ash. As she had said, the Gary she had grown up with was not the same Gary Ash had killed.

"I was hoping to find you two together," she said glancing between the two of them. "I'm sure you both have been wondering what's going to happen now that Ash is back. After all he was the Pokemon Master and now that he has returned..."

Ash looked at her in surprise. In reality the thought had never occurred to him that he could be the master again. Judging by the expression on Richie's face, it hadn't crossed his mind either.

May continued, oblivious to the pair�s reaction. "I researched the problem. The winner of a pokemon battle between the two candidates is declared Master. Quite simple."

Ash nodded, but Richie paled. Only once had he beaten Ash, when they had competed at their first Indigo League Championships. And now Ash could probably beat him only using Pikachu. Pikachu was the most powerful pokemon Richie had ever seen.

"Well," Richie said, trying to find his voice. "We might as well battle now."

Ash lifted an eyebrow. "Richie, it's almost midnight."

"There's no time like the present," Richie said, shrugging.

"But-"

"Let's just do it," Richie interrupted.

Ash continued to protest. "I don't want-"

"What's the matter?" Richie asked, cutting him off. "Afraid you've lost your touch?"

Ash raised his eyebrows at the comment, but made no retort. "Alright, let's battle."

They walked into the gym, which was lit up, the grass field ready for a battle. Ash noted that the gaping hole was still in the wall, allowing the cool night air to blow gently through the gym. Ash and Richie took their positions at opposite ends of the field. Pikachu stood ready at Ash's feet.

"Three pokemon each?" Richie asked.

Ash shrugged. "That's fine."

Richie looked at him suspiciously. "Do you even have three pokemon?"

"No," Ash told him bluntly.

Richie threw up his arms in exasperation. "I can't use three if you only have Pikachu!"

Ash looked puzzled. "Why not?" In his mind it was almost unfair to have Pikachu go up against only three of Richie's pokemon. "I have complete faith in Pikachu and it's my choice," Ash said. "Are we going to battle or not?"

Richie sighed. "Fine." He reached for his pokeballs. He knew he had to choose carefully, against Pikachu no type really had the advantage.

The sound of the gym door opening drew Ash's attention from Richie. Misty, Brock, Sabrina, and Blaine entered the gym. They took in the scene.

"What's going on?" Brock asked May, who was standing on the sideline.

She turned to Brock. "The only way to decide which one of them will be Master is through a pokemon battle."

"This should be interesting," Blaine muttered to Sabrina, who nodded.

Ash watched as Misty's eyes narrowed as she discovered what was going on. She glared at him and their eyes locked with one another. An unspoken message passed between them: If Ash won Misty was going to leave.

The crack of a pokeball quickly brought Ash's attention back to the battle. Ash looked up to see a large purple head floating above him, two disembodied purple hands near it. "Haunter," the pokemon said, announcing it was ready.

Ash nodded. Richie had chosen a pokemon that had speed; he was thinking defensively, something Ash knew he could use to his advantage.

"Pikachu, thunder bolt," Ash commanded. Pikachu nodded and began the battle by launching a thunder bolt at Haunter, who disappeared.

"Confuse ray," Richie called.

Haunter reappeared and released a confuse ray at Pikachu.

"Use agility to dodge." Pikachu quickly leapt out of the way, narrowly missing the confuse ray.

"Lick attack," Richie commanded. The purple pokemon's long tongue shot towards Pikachu.

"Two can play the disappearing game," Ash muttered. Louder he said, "Pikachu, stealth."

The yellow pokemon disappeared from sight. Haunter stopped his attack ad looked around the gym in confusion, then he too disappeared.

Well, that's interesting, Ash heard Pikachu think to him.

What? he asked.

I can still see him, Pikachu told him.

That�s� useful, Ash thought. "Pikachu, thunder bomb," Ash said aloud.

Richie watched as a ball of electricity formed in midair, then was launched at nothing. As fast as Haunter was, he wasn't quick enough to dodge it. He reappeared as he was hit then fell to the floor, fainted. Richie recalled him.

"Nice try," he said to the pokeball.

Unfortunately, Richie noted, Pikachu didn't even appear winded. After a moment of thought Richie pulled another pokeball from his belt. Ash watched as, with a red flash, a tall furry yellow pokemon appeared, white fur wrapping around his neck like a collar. The hypno stood on two legs, swinging the medallion he held back and forth like a pendulum.

"Hypno, confusion!" Richie cried.

"Don't look, Pikachu," Ash said. Pikachu covered his eyes with his paws and was unaffected by the attack. "Use thunder wave," Ash said when the attack had passed. The thunder wave hit its target but wasn't enough to finish off the hypno.

"Poison gas," Richie commanded. Hypno nodded. A green gas began to form around the hypno, slowly making its way towards Pikachu.

Ash appeared unfazed as he called out Pikachu's next attack. "Lightening Tornado, blow the gas away."

Richie watched intently, unsure what to expect. What appeared to be a small bolt of lightening formed at Pikachu's feet, spinning with the movements of the winds of a tornado. The lightening bolt continued to grow and began to spin faster, its movement causing a harsh wind to form. The gas was blown away, but Pikachu didn't stop there. The tornado grew larger as Pikachu added more power.

Hypno began to back away as the tornado's path shifted and began to head towards him. Hypno was suddenly caught up in the winds, and no matter how he struggled he was pulled into the center of the unnatural tornado. He was electrocuted until the tornado stopped and Hypno was violently thrown to the ground.

Richie sighed, recalling his fainted pokemon.

Ash patiently waited as Richie carefully contemplated which would be his third and final pokemon. After a long silence, Richie picked a pokeball and maximized it. "You're my last chance," he muttered before throwing the pokeball. Everyone watched with bated breath as the light from the pokeball materialized into what looked like a small pink blob. Its small face appeared to be drawn on.

"Ditto," he said in a high pitched voice, announcing his presence.

Everyone stood in silence, wondering if Richie's decision had been wise.

"Ditto, transform," Richie said, commanding the little pokemon's only attack.

Ash watched as Ditto slowly morphed into an exact replica of Pikachu. Ash nodded in approval of Richie's choice. He was going to try to defeat Pikachu by pitting him against himself. "Thunder," Ash commanded.

One of the two yellow rodents that stood near the center of the field nodded, indicating which one was the real Pikachu. Energy began to crackle around Pikachu and he released a powerful thunder at the other pokemon.

"Use agility to dodge it!" Richie cried, hoping he would be fast enough. Ditto leapt out of the way, narrowly missing being hit.

Relieved that Ditto was unhurt, Richie called, "Thunder wave."

Pikachu's clone powered up and shot a thunder wave at his opponent.

�Take it,� was all Ash said.

The attack hit Pikachu, but Richie watched as the little yellow pokemon simply absorbed the electricity into his body. Once again, silence washed over the gym. Richie racked his brain, trying to think of one of the special attacks that Ash had taught Pikachu.

Richie and Ash's eyes met. They stared at each other for a moment; time seemed to slow down. Ash's mouth broke into a grin and for a brief moment Richie saw the young boy he had befriended when he was eleven, cocky, but determined nonetheless.

Simultaneously both trainers called out, "Thunder Bomb!"

Both pokemon powered up, electricity crackling around each. Two identical balls of electricity were released at the same time. The balls collided in midair causing a bright explosion. Everyone shaded their eyes. After a few moments Ash and Richie cautiously looked to see the result of the attacks. Both pikachu stood in the center of the field. For what seemed like an eternity the two stood, staring at one another, as Ash and Richie had done, then one simply fell over, too drained to continue.

As the trainers and the spectators watched, the fallen Pikachu slowly transformed back into an amoeba-like pink blob. Richie sighed as disappointment filled his features. He recalled Ditto, saying, "I know you did your best."

Pikachu scampered over to Ash and skillfully climbed onto his shoulder. Ash affectionately ruffled his fur. "Great battle, Pikachu," Ash congratulated. He walked across the field and extended his hand to Richie. "Nice battle. That was fun, I haven't had a real pokemon battle in a long time."

Richie nodded shaking his hand. "I'm glad you enjoyed it," he said, although he lacked enthusiasm. He was disappointed, but at least he�d lost to the best.

"Congratulations, Ash," May said as she Brock, Sabrina, and Blaine joined them.

Silently noting the absence of Misty he said, "For what? It was only a pokemon battle."

Everyone sent him odd looks. Brock was the one to answer his strange question. "It was a pokemon battle to determine who became the Pokemon Master."

"Whoever said that?" Ash said, a small smile forming on his face.

Richie and May looked at him as though he was insane.

Ash's smile turned into a full grin at their expressions. "I tried to tell you in the dining room, I don't want to be the Master."

Richie's perplexed expression changed to one of surprise. "Why not?"

"I love Misty. Being the Pokemon Master is what ruined our relationship in the first place. I won't lose her again." After a slight pause he added, "Where is she anyway?"

"She left when you won," Brock told him.

Richie furrowed his eyebrows. "Why did you battle if you had no intention of taking the job?"

Ash grinned. "No one says Ash Ketchum has lost his touch!"

~*~*~

Ash stood outside of Misty's bedroom, his ear pressed to the door. He could hear drawers slamming and he assumed she was packing. He softly rapped on the door with his knuckles.

"Go away," was her muffled reply.

"Misty, I need to talk to you," Ash said.

"No," she answered.

Ash heaved a frustrated sigh. "So that's it?" he asked. "You'll just leave and go back to Cerulean? You'll just forget about me, about the past few weeks and go on with your life?"

"That's the plan," he heard her say.

Ash closed his eyes and rubbed his temples with his forefingers. "I don't know why I love you, you are the most stubborn person I have ever met."

The drawers stopped banging and the room became silent. As Ash listened the door was unlocked with a click. Misty pulled the door open and leaned against the doorframe, her arms crossed. "Don't ask me to stay, Ash," she said, hurt filling her crystal blue eyes. She turned away from him and walked back into her room. She silently continued packing, violently shoving her clothes into her bag.

Ash followed her inside and took a seat on her bed. "I wasn't going to."

She stopped packing and looked at him in surprise. "You weren't?"

He shook his head. "I would never ask you to do something that would make you unhappy."

"Good," she said, tossing her hair over her shoulder and resuming her packing. "Because I can't do it again. I can't hang around here trying to hold our relationship together while you traipse around the world."

"No one is asking you too," he replied.

Misty threw her arms up in exasperation, whipping a pair of socks that she was holding through the air. "I don't understand you!" she cried. "You say you love me, but you aren't even trying to persuade me to stay!"

"Why would I ask you to hold our relationship together if I won't be traveling all over the world?"

Misty opened her mouth to retort, but upon realizing what Ash had said she closed it. A look of confusion washed over her.

"I'm not the Pokemon Master, Misty," he told her.

"But you beat Richie," she said.

"Yes and while you ran off to pack, I told Richie that I didn't want the job," he informed her.

Misty shook her head. "I don't understand.

"If being the Pokemon Master means I have to lose you again, I don't want the job," he told her. "I am completely and totally in love with you, Mist. I have been since the moment I met you."

She sat down next to him. No matter what her mind said, her heart knew he was telling the truth.

Ash continued. "You complete me. You are my soul and because of that you have more power than anyone could ever receive from the Crystal of Nine. You have the power to completely and utterly break me and you've done it before. But you make me feel alive, you are a part of me and no matter how many times you break me, or my heart, I will always love you. You own me, Misty."

Misty's eyes filled with tears at his words. She took his face in her small hands and their eyes locked. "I will never hurt you the way I did before. I love you too much to ever cause you that much pain again."

With that he kissed her. And as they kissed they were no longer the hardened people they had grown to be. They felt as if they were once again nineteen, too young, too naive to understand love. And yet back then, when they were innocent, they had understood. They may have known what true love was better than most adults because nothing had been allowed to interfere back then. Love was love, it was pure, simple and when they were younger nothing else mattered but the fact that each was made perfectly for the other. They had been and still were the perfect match, but, after all, soul mates always are.
- 10
- 11
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If I Could Change the World