Pokemon: Radical Redux

{Ashtwo}

Ash was walking down the halls. His scarf was loosely draped around his neck instead of tied up like usual, and his mouth was covered by a black mask. Looking around, he noticed there were a lot more grunts than before.

He figured that was the plan: the Masked Man had sent everyone who wasn't already under his mind control away so he could try to control Ash. Unfortunately for him, there was no way he could know it would be useless.

Of course, Ash still had to play the part. He started acting even colder. Whenever someone complimented the mask, he ignored them or just walked past without a word.

One upside to his new status as an "Executive" was that the Masked Man had given him a communicator directly linked to him. That meant Ash had managed to send Porygon-Z into the system to start gathering intel. It would take time, though, too fast, and it'd look suspicious.

Still, he had gained a few more privileges. Turns out the egg seller was also under the Masked Man's control, supplying high-quality eggs to subordinates. Now that Ash had access, he could exploit it even further.

He spent about an hour in the egg room, stealing every valuable genetic trait he could from the eggs and rendering them into standard ones. As always, he took a few, left behind a few rotten ones, and pretended to "take" an egg. Then, he passed off a couple of eggs to Hypno for delivery and quietly left.

As Ash walked down the hall, someone suddenly threw an arm around his neck and pulled him in. He looked over and saw Jay grinning.

"Yo, bro! Good to see you."

Jay let him go and walked in front of him, still smirking like an idiot. "Man, good to see you still walking around! Thought you vanished on us."

Ash glanced at him, voice low and muffled by the mask. "Didn't vanish. Just got... reassigned."

"Oh? What do you mean?" Helena asked from behind as the rest of the group caught up.

Enid rolled her eyes, arms crossed. "That your way of saying you ditched us?" she muttered. "Typical side character move."

"I didn't ditch you," Ash said flatly, his tone colder than usual. "Just had new orders. Better things to do."

Domino approached, nearly jumping in for a surprise hug, but paused when she saw the mask covering his face.

Owari walked up, waving casually and staring at the mask. "What's with the mask? You trying to cosplay as the boss now?"

Sayoko elbowed him in the ribs. "Be quiet. D probably has his reasons. Besides, you're not one to give fashion advice."

Ash glanced around at all of them. "What? I decided to wear a mask. I don't question your outfit changes, why should mine matter?"

That earned a quiet pause. Domino looked down, and Enid shifted uncomfortably. She still remembered mocking him for hiding his face before, and had never apologized. She was way too prideful for that.

Helena, who actually knew what Ash usually kept hidden under the scarf, wondered if this was really just part of his act.

Jay framed his hands into a box and looked through them at Ash. "Hmm... well, I think it looks cool. Gives you a sneaky kind of look. Must be more comfortable than just wearing the scarf, huh?"

"I suppose," Ash said simply.

Jay deflated, clearly expecting more than a two-word response.

"Soooo," Helena started, "why'd you decide to get a mask?"

"More convenient," Ash replied. "And the Boss gave it to me."

"Really? One of his masks, huh?" Owari crossed his arms and looked up at the ceiling. "Yeah, I guess he does hand those out sometimes. I saw him give a few to other grunts. You must've caught his eye, good for you."

"Yep! And it's all thanks to my recommendation," Sayoko said proudly, turning to Ash as if expecting him to shower her in praise. "Thanks to me, I just know D here will get a promotion soon. Maybe he'll even be an Executive like me. But of course, I'll still hold the title for youngest Admin."

"Hmm," Ash said simply.

Sayoko's massive, hopeful smile immediately faltered. She narrowed her eyes but said nothing.

Ash kept walking, saying nothing more, and the silence grew heavy around them.

Jay leaned in again with a sheepish grin. "Man, you've really gone into edge mode, huh? Like, before you were quiet, but now? Ice cold. I mean, I get it, promotion pressure and all, right?"

No response. Just the faint tap-tap of Ash's boots echoing down the corridor.

Helena watched him carefully, her eyes narrowing. "You've changed," she said. "Something's different."

Ash glanced sideways. "Everything's always changing."

"Deep," Jay mumbled.

Domino clutched the end of her braid nervously, glancing between the others. "Well, um, I think the mask makes you look mysterious! But not in a scary way, more like… cool and brooding," she added quickly, forcing a smile.

Ash didn't reply, and Domino shrank back slightly.

Enid gave a dramatic sigh. "Ugh, you're all acting like he just came back from the grave. People change. Get over it."

She paused, arms crossed. "Besides, he looks real talkative now, huh? So mysterious. So edgy." Her voice dripped with sarcasm, but there was tension underneath. Maybe guilt. Maybe not.

"I don't need to explain myself to you," Ash said, still not looking in her direction. "I have orders. I follow them. That's all. I never talked much to begin with ,before you guys started following me around. I just remembered what I've always known. If you don't like it, you can leave me alone. After all, we aren't friends. Isn't that what you said?"

Enid opened her mouth to snap back, but paused. Something flickered in her expression. She looked like she wanted to say something else, maybe even apologize. But the moment passed. She folded her arms and looked away.

"Okay, edgy loner phase it is," she muttered. But inside, she was biting herself. Would an apology even be good enough? Could she swallow her pride for it?

Helena stepped forward, her voice steady as she tried to cut through the tension. "You've changed. Even for you, this is colder than usual. Just… promise me you haven't lost yourself in whatever mission they gave you."

Ash met her eyes. For a second, something flickered in his gaze. Then it vanished. "I haven't lost anything. I'm exactly who I've always been."

"Hmm," Helena said, clearly not convinced. Not after everything.

Then Sayoko stepped forward, wearing a smirk that didn't quite reach her eyes.

"You know," she said sweetly, "if you keep acting like this, I'm going to start thinking you're hiding something else under that mask."

"What I have is none of your concern," Ash replied. "Besides, I have better things to do. Work that needs to be done." He turned on his heel and began walking away, his steps slow and deliberate.

Sayoko frowned, her eye twitching slightly. How could D ignore her? He was supposed to be hers, and ONLY hers.

"You know," she said, her voice low and controlled, "I don't often give direct orders. But maybe I'm not feeling entirely like myself today. So, D. there's a mission I want you to go on. With me."

Of course, an Admin still holds some authority over a Commander, but that's if Ash were still a Commander.

He stopped mid-stride.

Then, turning slowly, he looked back at them, his boots tapping against the floor as he approached with quiet purpose.

Sayoko thought she'd won. She had an excuse to keep D all to herself for a while. But as D came closer, he looked down at her and smiled slightly.

"You know," he said, voice low and steady, "I don't believe I told you the news."

He leaned in, eyes locked with hers as his voice dropped just above a whisper.

"I'm an Executive now. That means I outrank you."

Sayoko's smirk cracked.

She blinked, once, twice, as D's words sank into her ears like cold iron.

"You're… an Executive?" she asked, trying to keep her tone light, but there was a sharp edge behind it.

Ash straightened up and nodded once, his expression unreadable behind the black mask. "Direct promotion. From the Boss himself."

The air shifted. Tense. Heavy.

Owari gave a low whistle, arms crossed. "No kidding. Didn't think the Boss moved that fast with anyone. Must've seen something in you."

"Must've," D replied coolly.

Sayoko's fists clenched at her sides, her smile tight, twitching at the corners. "That's… that's great, D. Really. I knew you were special. Just didn't think you'd jump the ranks without me."

Ash tilted his head just slightly. "You may request my time. But you no longer order it."

Enid, for once, stayed silent. Her arms were crossed, her gaze fixed on the floor. She couldn't bring herself to meet his eyes. Not after what he said. Not after he'd quoted her own words back at her: We aren't friends.

Jay tried to recover with an awkward laugh. "Haha, well, I mean, wow, Executive D. That's got a ring to it, huh? I always knew you were kind of a badass—ow!" He winced as Enid elbowed him hard.

"So," Ash said flatly, "if you'll excuse me, I have better things to do. Get back to work."

He turned and walked off again. Helena looked like she wanted to reach out and stop him, but held back.

"I…" Domino murmured, "What happened while we were gone…?"

Jay nodded slowly. "We were gone for like a week. Why does it feel like D doesn't even know us anymore?"

And for once, Enid had nothing to say, as she silently watched D walk away.

—

{Meanwhile, with the main group}

The island came into view as they leaned against the railings of the ship. Thankfully, it was starting to warm up, especially near this island. The temperature here felt totally different, like they were entering a whole other world.

"Okay, I take back what I said," Misty murmured, eyes wide as she watched flocks of Wingull circle overhead. "This place does look like a fairy tale."

"I know, right?" Yellow said, spinning once on her heel with her arms outstretched. "It's so warm! And the air smells so nice!"

Ash, who had been leaning with his elbows on the railing, gave a small nod, though his gaze was more serious. Vee and Pikachu were perched beside him, enjoying the sun. It was nice… seeing Misty and Yellow so casual, so relaxed.

Seriously, Ash still remembered how things used to be. Misty was always angry, and Yellow had the confidence of a malnourished kitten.

But now, after a lot of time, and, admittedly, some hard-earned character development, they were more comfortable in their own skin.

He cracked a small smile, "Careful," he said to Yellow without turning his head, reaching a hand out and catching her. "You're one twirl away from falling overboard."

She stopped mid-spin, wobbling slightly as she got a bit flustered. "I, uh, yeah, thanks," she said sheepishly.

Brock joined them at the railing, tugging at his muscle shirt before leaning next to Ash.

"It's a coastal city built over ancient Water Pokémon migration routes. The sea literally flows through the streets. Kinda hard not to feel relaxed here."

Ash gave him a look. "You sound like a tour guide."

"Hey, I read the brochure!" Brock grinned, holding up a slightly crumpled glossy pamphlet with a cartoon Lapras waving on the front. "Not every day you visit a city that floats and has a museum older than the League. The curator practically begged me for pictures."

"Oh yeah… him," Misty said, brows furrowing as she laced her fingers behind her head. "I forgot, is 'Curator' his actual name, or just, like... his job title?"

"Nope, real name. Curator Romulus. Don't ask me why," Brock said with a helpless shrug. "He is the museum head, though. Does field work too, but apparently that doesn't make him officially a Curator? League titles are weird. Either way, he's basically family. Got me my first fossil kit and let me catalog museum samples before I could spell half the words."

Ash snorted. "So basically you're working this trip."

Brock put a hand to his heart dramatically. "It's not work if it's for science. And free food."

"Pretty sure that's how scams work," Misty said.

"Pretty sure you're a scam," Brock shot back, grinning.

"Wow," Ash said, mock-impressed. "You're brave today."

Yellow giggled behind them, half-hiding her face behind Chuchu. "You guys really do talk like siblings."

Ash rolled his eyes. "Only difference is, we choose to hang out."

"Regrettably," Misty deadpanned.

"Constantly," Brock agreed with a sage nod.

"But also," Ash continued, "you're lucky I haven't pushed either of you off this boat yet."

Yellow raised her hand. "I would support him in a court of law."

"Oh wow," Misty laughed, putting a hand to her chest. "Betrayed."

"Oh well, I don't know~" Ash said with a smirk as he reached down. Pikachu was wearing his little suit again. "What do you say, Lawyer Pikachu?"

Pikachu crossed his arms, looking proud.

Misty blinked a few times. "I don't know if I should be disappointed in myself for falling for your bit twice… Like, I knew you had that and I still fell for it again."

Yellow smiled as Pikachu adjusted his little suit and struck a smug courtroom pose.

"Oh my gosh," she whispered, stifling a laugh. "He's even got the power stance."

"Objection!" Ash said in his best faux-lawyer voice, pointing dramatically. "This whole friend group's out of order!"

"Your Honor," Brock said, stepping in without missing a beat, "I'd like to submit Exhibit A, Misty's entire personality, as evidence of ongoing chaos."

Misty rolled her eyes so hard it looked physically painful. "Objection denied. That's selective memory and emotional slander."

"Wow, those are definitely real legal terms," Ash deadpanned.

"You know what?" Misty pointed at all of them in turn. "I don't even care. I'm going to find gelato and pretend I don't know any of you."

She turned on her heel and marched toward the food court area on the upper deck.

"Bring me back something blue!" Brock called after her.

"Blue what?"

"Doesn't matter!"

Ash shook his head, chuckling. "Okay, if I'm being honest, I didn't expect to get this much value out of Pikachu's little suit. I thought it was gonna be a one-time thing."

"Well, he does look cute," Yellow said with a smile, and Chuchu nodded in agreement, looking up at Pikachu with sparkly eyes.

Vee rolled his own eyes and nudged Ash's leg. "Vee…"

Just then, Misty returned, juggling a few cups of gelato. She handed the blue one to Brock, then gave another to Ash and Yellow, smirking when she looked down at Vee.

"Looks like he wants you to make one for him too," she teased.

"Ha, seriously," Ash said, "the tailor I paid didn't believe me the first time. But, meh, what's another few hundred if it's for the memes?"

Pikachu, without missing a beat, took his 'lawyer fee' in the form of a generous scoop of Ash's gelato.

"Wait," Misty said, raising an eyebrow, "that thing cost you a few hundred?"

"Best 250 I ever spent," Ash said, wiping an imaginary tear from his eye.

Misty rolled her eyes but couldn't hide her smile. "Okay, okay. I've got a question. If one of us had to get adopted by a Pokémon, who's it gonna be?"

"Yellow," Ash and Brock said at the same time.

Yellow blinked. "What—why me?!"

"You're the most adoptable," Ash said simply.

"Pokémon literally follow you around like you're a Disney princess," Brock added. "You're already halfway there."

"Hey, that's not true!" Yellow protested, puffing out her cheeks.

Chuchu patted her gently on the head in quiet agreement. "Pika…[No, you are…]"

"I bet if we ever see another Legendary, it'll take one look at her and just go, 'Yup. Mine now,'" Misty teased.

"Hey! I don't want to get kidnapped!" Yellow pouted harder, trying to look angry, but it didn't work.

"Don't worry," Ash said, patting her head. "We'll protect you. We can't let our emotional support friend get taken."

Yellow gave a dramatic sigh, trying to copy the way she'd seen Ash do it, and slumped against the railing. "Can I at least pick which Legendary adopts me?"

"Nope," Ash said immediately. "That's how Molly got taken by Entei. You never pick."

"Oh yeah," Brock nodded solemnly. "The moment you pick, the universe picks back."

"Wait—what?" Yellow blinked. "That's not how that works!"

"Hey, I don't make the rules," Ash replied, nodding as if it were established law.

"You literally just did," she shot back, pointing at him.

Misty, now lounging in a deck chair with her gelato, smirked. "I feel like Suicune would try to adopt her. All mysterious and dramatic. I'll be right there next to you~"

"Wrong," Brock declared, raising a finger like a professor. "It's Celebi. No contest. She's got the haircut, the forest energy, the bird friends—"

"I don't have bird friends!" Yellow protested.

At that exact moment, a random Pelipper swooped down and landed casually on the railing next to her.

Everyone stared.

Yellow turned slowly and pointed at the bird. "...I don't know him."

That somehow made it worse. All three of them were trying, really trying, not to burst out laughing.

Yellow turned to Chuchu in desperation. "Chu, help me here."

Chuchu patted her hand sympathetically.

"You traitor," Yellow whispered.

They all cracked up.

After a few more minutes of laughter, the ship's horn gave a deep bwooouugh, and the island finally came fully into view, Alto Mare

"Well," Ash said, adjusting his bag as he stood up. "Guess cruise time's over."

He glanced over to Misty and smirked. "I hear there's a Water Chariot Race happening near the docks. Wanna go destroy some noobs?"

Misty's eyes lit up. "Is that even a question? Obviously!" She fist-pumped the air, already fired up.