The Return (Part 1 of 4 to tis story)
Ash's dad come back. But this time he wants to bond with Aiden.
Aiden and Michelle: 13 years old.
One morning as Aiden was just waking up, his dark blue Xtransceiver rang. Grumbling, he climbed down the ladder from his bed and answered it. "Hello?" The face that appeared on the Xtransceiver made Aiden want to hang up right away. It was his grandfather.
"Hi Aiden, what'ya been up to?" Shane asked.
"Um...not much." Aiden said timidly. Shane obviously saw the nervousness in his face.
"I'm not a monster Aiden. Don't be so nervous."
"You know I shouldn't even be talking to you, right?"
"Come on champ, it's just..." This ticked Aiden off, a lot.
"DON'T call me that!" Aiden interrupted.
"Aiden, do we have to be enemies? I mean, we are family."
"Yeah, I know. Sorry."
"It's alright. I was just wondering, Do you want to meet up Carl's Pizza today? About eleven?"
"Why?" Aiden was very suspicious.
"I just want to talk, that's all." Aiden thought about this. He knew what his dad would think if he went with Shane. This aside, the man did seem genuine. Maybe once would be ok.
"Uh, sure." Aiden said, still unsure. But he figured one time wouldn't hurt.
After getting ready for the day, Aiden went downstairs. He knew exactly how to pull this off. "Dad?" Aiden said, as Ash turned his head from the TV. "Could you drop me off at Carl's at ten? I told Brandon I'd meet him there. He wants to get an early lunch 'cause he helping Brock at the Pokemon center today."
"Sure champ." Ash said as he looked at his watch. "Oh, we better get going now if we wanna make it on time." Ash called Pikachu and grabbing his keys, the two went to the car. After Aiden was dropped off at Carl's he walked across the street to the Pokemon Adoption Center, since he had an hour to kill. He was glad he said ten, he didn't want any chance of the two meeting.
Aiden made his way inside. He and his father had been here many times, he liked coming there. Unlike Pokemon caught in the wild, these Pokemon were specially breeded for a specific purpose. Many breeders could get good jobs for breeding excellent litters of Pokemon.
The pokemon are raised at the centers from birth. All got good homes. It was surprising how many were breed. Some were breed for fighting, others for companionship. But mostly, these Pokemon were breed for looks to be used in contests. Aiden went over to the glass, looking at the baby Mudkip and Bulbasaur. They were all so cute. Just then he heard a voice. "Aiden?" Aiden looked beside him.
"Oh, hi Pete." Aiden said to the man. Pete was the manager of the store, plus the top breeder of the shop. "Can I go see the pokemon?"
Usually, Pete didn't allow anyone under the age of sixteen to go in the room, holding the Pokemon. But Aiden was so good with them, he never minded. "Sure Aiden. Just remember to wash your hands afterwards, one of the Bulbasaur just came back from Nurse Joy today. Poor girl was sick." Pete said, as he unlocked the door.
"I will. Thanks Pete." The young man said politely.
After looking at the Pokemon for a while, Aiden looked at his watch, 10:50. He couldn't be late. He quickly washed his hands and ran out the door. Rushing across the usual busy street, Aiden found a table in Carl's and ordered a drink.
A few minutes later, Shane came into the restaurant. Spotting Aiden, he walked to the table and sat down. "Hi Aiden, how are you?" Shane asked, a nervous look on his face.
"I'm alright um... I'm not sure. What do I call you?" Aiden asked, a bit puzzled. Shane looked at the boy. he knew he couldn't ask the boy to call me grandpa or grandad. He wouldn't usually think of allowing his grandson do this, but he had no choice.
"Just call me Shane, for now. That is my name after all." Shane said, clearing his throat. Aiden nodded, that seemed fair. "So, what kind of pizza do you like?" Aiden thought very hard about this. "If you're anything like me, you'll probably like..."
"Pepperoni and Jalapeño Pizza" The two said together.
"Haha, yeah. Shane?" Aiden asked.
"Yeah?"
"It's just... You seem so nice. why does dad hate you so much?" Aiden asked.
"Well, for the first thing. My past with Team Rocket. I can't blame your father for hating me for that." Shane said, his head down, ashamed.
"As far as I'm concerned Shane, a man's past is his own business. He shouldn't judge you for that." Aiden said, still unconvinced.
"That's not all. As you know, I left him and your mother before he was born. Your great Uncle Brian, Delia's brother took care of Delia and Ash for the first few years before his death." Shane said, giving a moment of silence for Brian.
"Oh yeah, how did Uncle Brian die?"
"Your great uncle died in a car crash. It happened in front of Cassidy Pond's farm."
"Wow, I never knew that."
"Also, but worst of all. Out of nowhere, I showed up at the front door of your house about nine years ago, hoping he would forgive me." Shane said, even more ashamed before.
"He still may, someday." Aiden said, although he doubted his father ever would. Ash had become bitter on the subject of his father.
When Aiden was about to stand up to leave after lunch, Shane spoke. "Hey Aiden, I was just wondering, I have three tickets for the Starmee's game next month, if you're interested. You can bring a friend." Shane said as he held up the three tickets.
"Oh, yeah!" Aiden yelped in excitement, disrupting everyone in the pizza joint, who stared at him. Aiden just shrugged and sat back down, not embarrassed at all. At this, Shane just laughed.
As Aiden was about to call Ash to pick him up, he was surprised to see Ash parking. Aiden went out of the pizzeria, to see Ash stomping up to him. He took him by the ear like Misty used to do with Brock and dragged him to the car.
"Aiden, I just talked to Brock. He's off today. Besides that, Brandon is at a breeder's convention. Now, who were you with?" Ash asked angrily, although his voice was calm. Aiden gave a silent "oops." He had forgotten Brandon was out of town, and now wish he could disappear. He looked over to his father, to see him waiting for an answer.
"Um..." Aiden sighed. "I'm sorry dad, I can't tell you." Aiden said.
"What!? You can tell me anything." Ash said, a little less firmly.
"I can't tell you."
"Fine, then I hope you like being grounded for the next two weeks." Ash said nonchalantly. Aiden nodded, because he knew if he told his father, the punishment would be a month and he'd miss the Starmee's game.
