Disclaimer: I don't own Pokémon Satoshi Tajiri does.
This is my first fanfiction story. So it might not be as expertly written as some you have read. I would like constructive criticism but please no flames.
Domino 21
Gary 20
Misty 21
Brock 23
Tracy 22
May 18
Dawn 16
Max 14
A morning breeze blew into the small town of Pallet. And everything was waking up slowly to the rise of the sun. Everything seemed oblivious to the stranger that was entering the town wearing a black hooded sleeved cloak that opened out at the front showing black cargo pants, combat boots and a black muscle shirt that showed his toned chest. His loyal companion Pikachu riding astride his shoulder. If they had looked at him they might've recognised the one man who became the pride of this small town.
Ash Ketchum was here on important business. It was the fifth anniversary of his mother, Delia's, death. He slowly marched to the house that he grew up in, the house where he started his Pokémon journey and the house that his mother died in. When he reached the remains of the front gate to his childhood home he stopped to look at the charred building. It was still the same as it was the night of the fire a memorial to a cherished member of the small town.
He opened the gate and quietly walked around to the back garden where his mother's tombstone was. Memories of the day of his arrival home from Sinnoh and seeing this started to return and haunt his mind the longer he stayed here but he forced them away, they would not prevent him from visiting his mother.
He looked onto the overrun vegetable patch, that his mother took so much pride in, which was now choking in weeds. He thought back remembering that his mother was considered to grow the best vegetables in Pallet. 'What are you thinking about Ash?' the little electric mouse asked his master and old friend.
"Just how much this place is so different, buddy. Seeing it in such a state makes me miss mum even more. If she were alive it would be filled with beautiful flowers and mouth-watering fruits and vegetables. It… it's just hard to see it like this." Pikachu smiled sadly at his friend. 'Yeah I miss her too.' Ash rolled his shoulder causing Pikachu to slide forwards off it and into his waiting arms.
"Let's go pay our respects, the others are will be coming and I want to be gone before they arrive." Pikachu nodded and let Ash hug him as they reached the grave of Delia Ketchum that was sitting under the tree that was planted the day of Ash's birth. Funnily enough, it was an Ash Tree.
No words were spoken. He just knelt down to read the engraving on the tombstone. 'Delia Ketchum loving mother and friend' a tear rolled down his cheeks as he read the engraving. There they stayed, in the soft breeze listening to the sounds of Pallet Town awakening remembering the happier times that Ash and his mother spent underneath this tree. He then smiled down at the grave, got back up wiping the tear the was clinging onto his jaw line before turning around leaving what was left of his childhood home behind him.
He started to walk to the outskirts of town when the peaceful morning was broken by a shrill scream. Ash turned around to see what had caused it and saw that down the road a couple of Team Rocket members were trying to steal a little girl's Eevee. Seeing them here brought memories that he didn't want to remember.
"How dare they come back here again" he growled feeling him almost losing himself in his hatred.
"Pikachu let's lend a hand use Thundershock on those animals." Pikachu let out a growl so feral that didn't seem possible for the small kind Pokémon to make. 'With pleasure' he replied before lighting up the two Rocket members. Ash ran over to the girl who was picking up her friend.
"Are you two OK?" he asked the girl and her Pokémon. The girl nodded and looked behind him.
"Look out!" She yelled, Ash turned around in time and lifted his arm in defence as a Rattata bit down on it.
The girl screamed out in fear as Ash was bitten. Ash grabbed the rat Pokémon and summoned some of his aura down his arm and to the Rattata's mouth. The Pokémon let go to cry in pain as Ash ripped it away from his arm. Ash raised the rat-like creature high above his head threw it at its trainer.
"Pikachu! Thundershock now! Put enough power into it to paralyse the lot of them and send them flying. Blast them all the way out of Pallet." Pikachu nodded glad to follow such a command and sent a large bolt of lightning at the Rockets. Ash watched the light show as Pikachu's attack hit Team Rocket before it exploded and sent them blasting off as he slowly used his aura to heal his bite wound.
When the Rockets were little more than a dot in the sky and his arm was healed he turned around to see that his rescue of the little girl and her Eevee was seen by a number of townsfolk and their Pokémon who rushed over to see who screamed. He hesitated a little before he waved to them and turned around to leave, Pikachu climbing back up his arm and sitting on his shoulder, content at causing more Team Rocket members pain. The girl seemed to regain control of her voice and feet as she ran over to him, asking him to stop. Ash turned around to look at the girl and patiently waited her to catch her breath.
"Thank you" she said before jumping at him and wrapping her arms around his waist. Ash was shocked for a second before he hugged the girl back.
"Delia, who is this man?" Ash flinched at his mother's name as a woman asked the young girl. Ash recognised her immediately she was his mother's old friend Suzanne Hastings who lived down the road. She still seemed to like to wear the same creamy yellow sundress that she used to wear.
"I don't know but he saved me and Eevee for those bad men who tried to steal her." Suzanne gasped and turned to Ash.
"Thank you for saving my daughter and her Pokémon." He smiled to her and replied.
"Don't worry. It was no trouble, I was just in the right place at the right time." Ash told her, nonchalantly. She smiled at his modesty watching him ruffle her daughter's hair.
"Please, would you like to join us for breakfast as a way to say thank you for saving Delia?" Ash paled a under his hood that would mean that he might have to take his hood down and he was sure Suzanne would recognize him immediately but he would also look bad turning down such a kind gesture. He turned to Pikachu, who shrugged his shoulders. He turned back to Suzanne, smiling kindly.
"OK. Thank you very much." He accepted, even though he was worried that his quiet trip to see his mother might cause everyone in town the find that he was here after being missing for five years.
"YAAAAY" Delia cried as she and her Eevee ran down the road to her house yelling back at Suzanne and Ash to hurry up as the crowd dispersed a couple of them thanking him as they left. Suzanne giggled and started to walk home.
"I'm sorry. I invited you to breakfast and I don't even know your name"
"Ashura Satoshi." He replied using the name he had been going by for the last half a decade.
"Ashura huh? Do you use Ash for short?" she inquired "I only ask because there was once a boy who lived here called Ash. Delia is actually named after his mother as a matter of fact" She sighed.
"Neither of them deserved what happened to them." Ash, wanting to keep up the appearance that he was new to town, asked a question what would be a retelling of one of the worst times of his life.
"Why? What happened?" Suzanne turned to face the burned down house.
"A couple of Team Rocket members tried to steal the Mr. Mime that she had. But when she didn't give him up they forced them into the house and set it on fire, burning her and the Pokémon alive within. What was worse was that Ash and his friends arrived the next day to celebrate him coming second in the Lily of the Valley Conference in Sinnoh. Professor Oak tried to stop Ash from seeing it before he was told… but it was too late. His friends and their parents came to the funeral and Ash disappeared that same night with all his Pokémon. And he hasn't been seen since." A tear rolled down her cheek.
"I'm sorry to hear that. They must have meant a lot to you." He replied sadly, ashamed of himself for causing the woman that he thought of as an aunt to cry.
"Thank you. They were good people." She took a moment to compose herself, drying her eyes with a handkerchief from her pocket. "Delia was like a sister to me. And Ash like the nephew I never had. I do miss them so. Today happens to be five years to the day that she died. I was pregnant with my own Delia at the time. And when she was born, I just knew that Delia was the perfect name for her." She watched the road ahead of her and Ash, watching her daughter bound off gaily. "She looks very much like her." Ash smiled under his hood as he looked at the little girl that turned around towards them to see where he and her mother were.
She did, indeed, look just like his mother. She had brown hair though it was done up in pigtails that curled inward at the end like his mother's ponytail used to and similar hazel eyes, the small button nose and even the same smile. She even had a similar taste in clothes too, as she wore a blue skirt and yellow t-shirt with a Pikachu on it.
"You know, some people say that when someone dies they are reborn anew to live life again. It may be that when Delia died, she was reborn as your daughter and that's why you felt the need to name her Delia" He told Suzanne, comfortingly. She smiled sadly in response.
"Yes. But it sounds like I'm the cause of her death."
"We must all die sometime. That's our one fate there is no stopping. Your daughter was born and, if she is Delia reborn, then it was her fate to die. Don't think that you are the cause for her death. Just be happy that you might be raising your friend and giving her all the happiness she deserves." Suzanne sent Ash a smile
"Thank you. It makes me warm to hear that I may be making my friend happy."
Ash smiled to himself. He had come to terms with his mother's death long ago, with some help. But there were times that he felt the hollowness of her not being there to wait for him to return anymore. But he knew that it was only natural. Every child will always mourn the passing of a much loved parent. But to think that she may now be being raised by someone as good and kind as Suzanne made him happy that her new life was filled with happiness and love.
Ash then looked at Suzanne "Where is Delia's father? I'd think it's too early in the morning to leave for work?" he asked. All she did was sadly smile at him.
"Richard was a good man. But, soon after Delia's third birthday, he started drinking because of trouble at work. One day, he drove home drunk and he crashed his car. He died shortly after in the emergency room." Ash nodded slowly looking at her. Richard Hastings was a good man but he had a short temper at times that, coupled with inebriation, might have made him a danger to Suzanne and Delia.
Maybe that was why he saw the small glint of relief in her eyes that was overshadowed in sorrow when she mentioned his death. He pushed the thought away as Suzanne opened the gate leading to her house.
Ash opened the door to Suzanne's house and, like the gentleman, he let Suzanne and Delia enter first. Suzanne smiled and thanked him before entering. When Ash entered, he looked around the house, in an effort to make it look like he had never been here before. The house was a bright and happy area, with neutral colours for the walls and blue carpet for the flooring exactly as he remembered it.
Upon the wall were pictures of herself, Delia, their family and even a couple of Ash and his mother. He noted that there were no pictures of Richard, showing support to the theory that he might have become abusive towards Suzanne when drunk. Then again, he also knew Suzanne loved him very much, so looking at pictures of him might still be painful for her. Delia wouldn't remember his face at such a young age so it didn't hurt her not to see pictures of the father that she could never remember clearly. Unable to help himself, he walked over to a picture of him, his mother and Suzanne that was taken during the time he spent in Pallet after he returned from Hoenn.
"That's Delia and her son Ash" he heard Suzanne explain. Ash looked at the photo with a sad smile, tears of nostalgia threatening to run down his face
"They look happy." He sighed "Team Rocket are a menace. They cause so much death and suffering for everyone" Suzanne nodded. "Damn you father" Ash muttered under his breath.
"Huh? Did you say something?" Ash shook his head. Suzanne looked at him suspiciously before smiling again. "Well, this way to the kitchen, Mr Satoshi."
"Please call me Ashura" he smiled politely to her. Ash remembered the conversation that he had when he confronted his father a couple days after his mother's murder.
(Flashback)
"It was your men that killed her, dad! It's because of them that she isn't here anymore. Why was she attacked! I still remember the day you told me that grandma forced you to take over. But you said that me and mum would be safe from Team Rocket, and now this happens. I get followed by three buffoons, forever trying to steal my Pikachu, and my friend's Pokémon for five years and now some of your men have killed mom." Ash continued to rant and rave and accuse his father, sometimes grabbing things around the room and throwing them in a fit of anger as Giovanni sat there, with great guilt and sadness clouding his face, as he watched one of the only things that was good in his life full of anger, hurt and despair.
"I'm sorry Ash. I didn't know, they were new recruits. They've already been dealt with. I'm so sorry son, I never wanted this. All Rocket members are told not to interfere with Delia. Someone must not have told them. I'm currently searching for the culprit."
"Argh! That won't matter dad! It won't bring mum back" Ash shrieked as fresh tears flowed. He knew what his father meant when he said that he 'dealt with them'. It made him almost wish he was there to see his father dispose of them, and maybe even help him. But, in his heart he knew he could never do that and betray his mother's memory – or what she had taught him. But he did feel a little better knowing the people that killed his mother were dead.
"This is the way I've been for too many years, Ash. It's all I know." Giovanni looked away from his son and out the large window of his corporate office.
"Ash… I want you to do something for me." Ash stopped his ranting to look at his father. He wasn't the man he remembered from his childhood. His father was a proud man that always held his head up high, always had an aura that demanded respect and would give it in return and a heart of gold. The man before him looked defeated and old, his eyes that once could burn into your soul with such intensity filled with love and pride gone replaced with darkness, heartache and sorrow.
"What do you want me to do, dad?"
"I want you from here on in to try to destroy Team Rocket. I'm in way too deep, and I'm too old, to do so. And because I'm the leader, I too am responsible for Delia's death. I want you to take your revenge on me and Team Rocket and stop me being the monster that I am." Ash looked at his father, shocked.
"But if I do that you'll be arrested!"
"It's the only price that I find fitting for me, short of you killing me, as payment for my crimes." He looked straight into Ash's eyes, letting him see their former intensity that could cause you to feel as if you weighed a ton. But, there was something else within them, self-loathing. Ash could see that he was placing the death of his mother solely on himself.
"I still remember Delia always talked to you about me before I became the boss. The innocent me who wanted to become friends and capture Pokémon the right way. In a way, I see my dream being fulfilled through you, Ash. It makes me proud to have such a son."
Ash watched his father tearfully "OK. I'll be sure to bring down Team Rocket for you, dad. I'll do whatever it takes." Giovanni nodded.
"Just make sure that it doesn't make you lose your innocence, my boy. And if it does, only do so when you are prepared to lose it. One final thing…" he said before reaching into his pocket and pulling out a rather plain looking pokéball. It didn't seem to fit in the lavish room that they were in or the luxury balls that his father often used.
"Take Persian with you" Ash's eyes widened.
"But dad. He's your most prized Pokémon. I can't take him from you."
"You can. And you will. This is one of the last gifts that I will give to you Ash. It was both Persian and I's dream to become Pokémon masters. I want you to take him and have him aid you in fulfilling your dream. And in so doing… fulfilling mine." He ordered before holding out Persian's ball.
Ash hesitantly took it and threw it into an empty space in the room. Persian came out and looked at his master and his son. He then padded over to Ash and rubbed his head against Ash's, greeting him. Ash then reached down and started to stroke his head causing Persian to stop and purr rubbing his head deeper into Ash's hand as he began to scratch behind his ear.
"Persian. It's time for us to part. I want you to go with Ash. Protect him. Aid him. And help him towards the dream that we all share." Persian looked at his master before walking over to him and rubbing his head on his leg telling him that he would honour his request before walking over and sitting next to Ash, patiently waiting for the time that it would leave with its new trainer, always faithful to the ones it called family.
"Thank you dad. I'll take good care of him." He said patting Persian on the head causing him to purr and rub his head into his hand again.
"I know you will son. Now… one more thing before you go. I know that you always travelled with friends, so I was wondering if you would like some company." He was greeted with a confused face.
"Domino's outside this office right now. She's the closest thing I have had to a daughter. She's never caught her own Pokémon, either. I would like you to take her from here and aid her. And, please, save her when you bring down Team Rocket. I want you to be there to help her let go of the darkness in her heart that she has gained working for this accursed organisation."
"Will she like that though?" Ash quizzed with a raised eyebrow. "The last time I saw her, we weren't really on a friendly basis." Thinking back to the time he prevented Team Rocket capturing Mewtwo and the other clone Pokémon at Mt Quena.
Giovanni laughed "Yes. That was why, whenever she thought she was alone, she was always complaining that you were a 'good guy' and not a member of Team Rocket. Or she'd get angry that she was the 'bad guy' and never able to travel with you on one of your journeys." Ash spluttered in surprise, making Giovanni smirk.
"Yes Ash. I believe that Domino likes you, and likes you a lot. I know… because of the noise that comes from her room after a meeting. Whenever you're mentioned foiling one of our plans" he smirked even more as his son blushed.
He never understood why Ash always pretended to be oblivious when it came to love when he travelled. Or how his friends never thought to ask him where all of the money that Ash used to fund their journeys came from. Although, it did come from the few businesses that Giovanni had that was purely legitimate, and had little – or no – connection to Team Rocket, besides its owner.
Before Ash could say anything more, Giovanni asked Matori to send in Domino. When she entered, she opened the door silently and turned around to close it again not seeing who was in the room. Persian walked over to her and rubbed his head against her leg. Domino giggled.
"Stop that Persian it tickles." Ash was surprised this Domino seemed to be rather nice and friendly compared to the one he saw at Mt. Quena.
She still looked the same though wearing the same Team Rocket uniform that she personalised for herself and Ash wasn't ashamed to admit that she was beautiful. Her ringlet blonde hair was slightly longer now reaching to just under her shoulders instead of resting on them. He wanted her desperately for her to turn around so he could see her face. When she was finally able to push Persian away then she turned around and saw Ash standing in her boss's office looking quite comfortable in his surroundings. Her cheeks reddened before she glared at him before taking a defensive stance.
"What are you doing here?" she growled showing the Domino that he met at Mt. Quena. Ash admired her as she stood ready to attack him at any moment. Her violet eyes filled with determination and ferocity. She was scowling at him in the attempt to intimidate him but it only made her look cuter then she already was. She started to blush more under the scrutiny of her crush and how his eyes would look her over examining every part of her before returning to look deep into her eyes. She felt like jelly every time he studied her, her stomach felt like it had Butterfree in it, but she would not show weakness in front of him.
"Domino. stand down. I asked you here today because it concerns you and my son here" She gasped.
"H-He's your son? But…" she stammered, blushing crimson again, thinking of all the times that she thought about Ash both in private and public, knowing Giovanni was there some of the time, and most definitely heard her. Giovanni laughed at the way she was stuttering.
"Yes, he's my son. And I asked him to do a favour for me. I want you to go and travel with him and help him achieve his objective." Domino looked startled before hope filled her eyes.
"So he is now working for you, boss?" She hoped.
"Indirectly. I want him to do something and right a couple of wrongs that have happened for a long time. And, quite recently, only he can, or deserves to, correct them." She looked at him confused.
"You remember how I forbid any and all Team Rocket members form stealing or harming Delia Ketchum and her Pokémon of Pallet Town?" she nodded slightly confused at where the conversation was heading.
"There were some new recruits that killed her and her Pokémon that you dealt with already. Can I ask why she was the only person we weren't to interfere with?" Hesitantly having always wondered why she of all people was the one person in all the regions that they were supposed to stay away from, a single mother that didn't seem to be of any importance.
Ash snarled darkly at hearing about his mother's murderers causing Domino to look at him in shock at hearing him make such a dark and evil noise.
"She is, and was once, my wife. Before I became boss of Team Rocket. And the only woman I love" he replied neutrally holding up his hand to show his wedding ring. She then realised why Ash snarled before.
"Ash here is the son we had together. I feel responsible for her death, so because of this, my son's hatred of Team Rocket, and through his need for revenge in mind… I asked him to find a way to bring us down as punishment for killing my Delia." Ash had a sad smile on his face; he always knew his father still loved his mother as he looked at his wedding ring.
It was his father's way of staying faithful to his mother. Domino, however, was shocked. 'He wants to bring down the very organisation that he is the leader of? Wait… did he say he wanted me to travel with Ash?' she thought, letting images and scenes of what travelling, and being, with Ash can bring. Meanwhile, Giovanni smirked at his son before silently saying.
"See? She does this every time when I mention you and travelling. Or she excuses herself and goes to her rooms to be alone" causing Ash to blush just thinking what dirty thoughts could be running and have run through in Domino's head. He also couldn't help looking her over again being mesmerised in her beauty. Snapping her out of her daydream of her and Ash together in a private moment Giovanni said.
"Domino. I never wanted to be head of Team Rocket my mother forced it upon me threatening to kill Delia when she was pregnant with Ash when I didn't comply with her wishes. When I did she twisted and corrupted me into what I am today. I was very much like Ash is actually. Anyway I am the head of Team Rocket and therefore am responsible for the death of the woman I love and I can't go on until I have paid for my crimes against her and all that I used to believe in." He gave her the look that he reserved for her when they were alone, the same look he would always have for Ash. The look of a father that was proud of their child, the only look that brought back a semblance of his old self.
"You are like a daughter to me, I want you to leave here with Ash and help him train so when defeats me you will be safe with him and out of any police radar or wanted lists." Tears escaped her eyes.
She always wanted to hear this from him. To hear him be proud of her, think of her as his daughter and what's more he is giving her the chance to stay with Ash, be with him and travel with him. It was like he was giving her permission to try and pursue his one and only son and the only man that she loves.
"OK. I will, I'll go with Ash and help him get vengeance for his mother." She replied. Giovanni nodded and turned to Ash.
"Your card will still be valid. My son has the spare Pokémon that I gave to you that I have in safe keeping. Call whenever you need them. You may be trying to destroy me now, but you still are my son." Ash smiled to his father walked over to him and hugged him.
"Thank you dad. I'll always love you." He said as he hugged his father. Domino turned away, giving them privacy of the father son moment.
"You have Pokémon that are Ash's?" she asked when the father and son finished hugging.
"Yes. Where did you think that the Pokémon that I would give to you to use come from?" she was stunned.
"I was using Ash's Pokémon?" she whispered and blushed slightly at using something of Ash's and about how powerful they were. 'Of course they are strong Pokémon their Ash's' she thought.
"Yes you were" he laughed and Ash chuckled at the blush on her face.
"Let's go Domino, Persian we have much to do."
"What, Persian? You gave him Persian?" she cried. Persian was his most prized and powerful Pokémon to give him away even to his son truly meant that he was serious about ending Team Rocket.
"Yes. Together they will fulfil what I wanted when I was young through Ash. Together with your help I know that he will become a Pokémon master. Now go you need to leave quickly you have serious training ahead of you." He said with finality.
Ash nodded and strode to the door with Persian walking beside him ever faithful to his master old and new and his family. Domino stood there before she ran after Ash and took a hold of his hand. Ash looked down at their intertwined fingers, surprised. He then looked up at her to see her blush and flash him a smile that radiated hope and happiness.
He smiled back secretly liking the way the blush made he even more beautiful and together they left that room determined that the next time that they were there would be to arrest their father. Giovanni smiled as the door closed.
"Good Luck you two. I know that you'll succeed. And, maybe I might one day have grandchildren waiting for me to watch over when I die and be with my Delia again.
(Flashback ends)
Ash was shaken from his memories by little Delia.
"Hey mister what you thinking about?" he chuckled at the innocent curiosity that was on her face.
"I was thinking about how I met my girlfriend and got one of my strongest Pokémon. Oh and you can call me Ashura" Delia blushed and then smiled again.
"OK Ashura" she squeaked before running in the direction that Ash knew the kitchen was in. Suzanne giggled off to the side.
"It would seem that you have a new admirer Ashura." Ash scratched the back of his head as chuckled to himself. "I seem to get one or more in every town and city I arrive in."
"Ooh, a ladies man." Ash shook his head and laughed
"Yeah. Domino gets real jealous at the way girls look at me as I walk down the street. Every time she looks about ready to terrify the hell out of them and away from me. Thankfully I don't think that she will see Delia as a threat" he chuckled.
He hesitated before removing his hood. Suzanne was surprised at what was underneath. Ash had long hair that reached his shoulders, the same brown eyes that he always had with a touch of blue showing through, displaying that Ash now used aura regularly. He also had a long scar down is face from the far end of his left eye brow, over his eye and the bridge of his nose and ending on his jaw line.
Suzanne could see why all of the girls liked him. Why if she was a little younger she would be throwing herself at him his face. He didn't have any baby fat showing proud sculpted aristocratic face and the scar made him look dangerous but also able to handle himself when in trouble and his eyes felt like they were looking straight into her soul.
She could also see that he took great care of his body as she could see his firm chest that his muscle shirt displayed clinging to his body. She guessed that he was about 5ft 10, maybe 5ft 11. She could see a resemblance to Ash as well. But she knew that Ash didn't have touches of blue in his eyes as Ashura did or that scar. 'That's impossible. They look almost the same. But take out the blue in his eyes and the scar and put a cap in his head and he may as well be Ash's clone.' She thought to herself.
"Well… come this way. The kitchen is just down the hall." She said, slightly rattled at seeing a near Ash look alike. As they walked, she remembered something.
"You said that you had a girlfriend? Who is she? What's she like?" she asked, hoping she didn't seem too intrusive. It, also, would be good to see if he was telling the truth. After all, if he was, he couldn't be Ash. He was too oblivious when it came to romance.
"Her name's Domino. And she's very kind and beautiful. My father introduced us. She likes to play around with my Pokémon a lot too. Her favourites are Pikachu here and Persian." He replied as he got out Persian's ball and threw it down the hall.
"Meow." Persian cried as it left its pokéball. It looked at Ash and walked over to him and Suzanne before rubbing its head against her leg.
"Wow, what a friendly Pokémon." She gasped almost falling over as Persian rubbed his head on her leg.
"Yeah. Persian is one of my more mellow Pokémon along with Pikachu, Lucario, Willow, Rose and Gabriel."
She looked at him, wondering what his other Pokémon were.
"What are they?" she asked, intrigued, as they entered the kitchen.
"Well Lucario is a Lucario, Willow is a Gardevoir, Rose is her little sister, and a Kirlia, and Gabriel is a Gallade, and Willow's mate. Both Willow and Rose are shiny Pokémon."
"Wow you seem to be focused on Psychic Pokémon."
Ash shook his head "Not really. It's just that I found Willow and Rose at the same time. Their parents were being attacked by Pokémon poachers. I wasn't able to save their mother but I gave her enough time to ask me telepathically to take them both and raise them as my own; their father was dead before I arrived, torn apart by the poacher's Pokémon. Willow was a Ralts at the time and Rose was still an egg" He chuckled to himself. "I think I took that too literally as I think of them both as daughters."
Suzanne smiled to herself. "And Gabriel and Lucario. How did you get them?"
"Lucario was a friend that I met when he was being hunted by poachers as a Riolu. I returned him return to his master but he was very old. I got a letter from him two years after asking me to take Riolu as mine before he passed on and Gabriel well there were no poachers this time. I simply found him in a forest in Sinnoh wounded after he took on more than he could chew. He chose his name after reading some book that had and man called Gabriel as the hero or angel I never read the book to find out. He followed me after that wanting me to train him and help him become stronger that and he liked Willow, took a hell of a lot for him to earn the right to court her I will tell you." She nodded giggling knowing how fiercely a father would protect his daughter before heading over to the stove to start cooking breakfast while Ash and Pikachu watched Persian play with Delia.
'Say, Ash… when are you and Domino going to have kids?' Pikachu asked him. Ash stuttered.
"I-I don't know Pikachu, when we are ready." 'Ready? Of course you two are ready. You already go at it like a pair of Rattata during mating season. In other words… all the time it's a wonder how you ever have time to train.' He teased him Ash stuttered.
"S-so? That doesn't mean that we are ready for a child yet. After all… I still need to keep my promise to father and a life on the road is no place for a baby. And what do you mean by that? We don't do it that often." 'Yes, but you wish you did.' Pikachu sighed 'I suppose you're right though, but it would feel nice to have a little one travelling around with us.'
"What about Rose? Is she not enough for you anymore?" Pikachu glared at him. 'Of course she is. I just mean I would like to see you and Domino start a family. (Sigh) Even with Domino, you've changed so much since when your mum was alive. Even now, I can see the mask that you wear when out in public and the only time that you show any true emotion is when you are hunting Team Rocket or some other criminal organisation. Or with Domino and I, as your friend, - personally - like you better when you are with Domino.' he told him shaking his head.
"I know old friend. But I can't let go not until I have accomplished what I set out to do." 'The complete destruction of Team Rocket I know that but there are times I wish to see our old friends again and see the old you.'
"You know that's not possible Pikachu. not after that night" he whispered thinking of the night he was accused of being the reason for his mother's death by Flint and Norman after the funeral.
Little did they know Suzanne was listening on the conversation. Well… at least Ash's side of the conversation. 'Could this really be Ash? Could he have come home to see his mother?' the more she thought about it the more it seemed true. 'Well if he doesn't want to tell anyone I won't stop him it's good to see him healthy.' Happy to see that Ash was well after five long years she then looked at Delia, Eevee and Persian playing. 'Oh Delia you would have been proud of the man your son has turned out to be.'
Soon the food was done and on the table. There was bacon and eggs, toast, pancakes and English muffins. 'Time to see if you really are Ash Ketchum only he would be able to eat such a huge amount of food, they're all his favourites too' she thought. Together they all ate breakfast with Persian and Pikachu eating some of Ash's homemade Pokéchow.
"Where are you other Pokémon Ashura?" Delia asked. "They're with Domino. I have about 60 to 80 Pokémon in all, and she carries them around. I only really need two or three to defend myself, and all of my Pokémon know to follow any and all orders that she gives them. And Lucario is probably in the nearby forest eating some berries and other fruits. He may be comfortable around humans, but he prefers to eat fruits in the forest then my Pokéchow. Most of my Pokémon do, since I live up on Mt Silver."
Suzanne nodded, intrigued that he lived on one of the most dangerous mountains in the world and continued eating. She then turned to him and asked. "Why isn't she with you?"
"I wanted to look for some Pokémon to capture yesterday morning. I lost track of time and ended up near Pallet. Domino is probably at our hotel room sleeping still. I do this all the time so she won't be too worried when she wakes" he lied. Domino knew he was like that, but he always called her if he was going to be away for the night. She nodded to herself. 'Getting here from Viridian city can take a day and night or even shorter since Ash got there in one day. You win this round' she thought still trying to work out if Ashura was Ash.
Once all of the food was eaten Suzanne was sure that Ashura was Ash he ate most of the food and it looks like he could eat even more. 'Maybe Ashura was his full name but where did Satoshi come from? His father's name perhaps? After all Delia hardly ever mentioned him. I don't think I ever got his name. Maybe it's his.' Ash sighed happily patting his stomach that now has some food in it.
"Thank you for the meal, but I must get going. I should get back before Domino starts to get really worried." He stood up and waited for Suzanne and Delia to stand and going to the front door before thanking them again and giving them both a hug. 'Yes he hugs the same way that Ash used to hug me too' Suzanne thought feeling Ash's arms wrapped around her waist in a firm but gentle hold, a warm hug given only to family.
"Goodbye Suzanne, Delia" he said before walking out the door.
"Bye Ashura, bye Pikachu, bye Persian" Delia yelled as Ash walk towards the road out of Pallet Town with Pikachu on his shoulder and Persian next to him.
He saw someone walking towards him when he was getting close to his old house. He looked closer squinting his eyes to see that it was Domino. She was stood in front of the gate. She was as beautiful as the first time he met her. She had grown her hair out for the last five years it now reached to her waist. She still had a liking for black and white as she wore a black pleated skirt that reached just above her knees showing off her legs, black shoes and white socks. She had on a slightly lighter black t-shirt that had a white pokéball symbol on her side. It hugged her every curve showing off her body perfectly and finally a black beret also with a white pokéball symbol on the front perched on her head. Ash walked over to her after he finished admiring his girlfriend and lover and wrapped his arms around her shoulders feeling her lean into the hug and closer to his warmth.
"What are you here? I thought you were going to the mall today to buy some new clothes and other supplies before we left for Sinnoh?" he asked.
"I wanted to see where you grew up. After all, you've seen the orphanage that I grew up in, I only felt it right to come and see it for myself. I also wanted to pay respects to your mother for creating the perfect man for me." She whispered to him enjoying the closeness and the slow rhythmic beating of his heart as she burrowed herself deeper into his chest.
"Thank you. But we need to get going. My old friends will be here soon and I want to be gone before they arrive." Domino sighed and nodded her head into his chest knocking her beret around on her head. Ash let go and turned to leave with Persian at his heel. As he walked away Domino turned back to the blackened ruin that was once the home of Ash and Delia Ketchum.
"Thank you for all you've done to make him who he is. Thank you so much" she whispered to the wind, hoping that it would carry her words all the way to the woman who gave birth to the one she loved. A tear rolled down her cheek from her knowing that she would never meet the person who raised Ash to be the good, kind-hearted man he was.
Down the road, all of Ash's old friends; Brock, Misty, Gary Oak, May, Max, Dawn and Tracy along with Professor Oak and their parents and family were wondering up the road to visit Delia's grave. Professor Oak looked up to see Ash and Domino standing in front of Ash's house.
"Who are they?" He wondered making everyone look at Ash and Domino.
"I don't know do you want to ask them?" asked Caroline also curious as to who the strangers were. Before a decision could be made Ash walked away leaving with Persian.
Domino continued to stare at the ruins Professor Oak saw her talking and but couldn't make out the words he also saw her shed a tear that caught the sunlight as it rolled down her cheek before she turned away and followed Ash.
"Oh well. Looks like they're gone, so we can't ask them now." Max muttered sadly.
"Heheh. She's pretty" Brock replied. But just as he was about to go into one of his pretty girl episodes, his Toxicroak poison jabbed him and dragged him off. All his friends and family ignored it as it happened all the time.
"We can if we run and catch up to them" May said trying to stop Max being sad and also curious herself. Just as they were all about to run after the mysterious couple they were stopped by a Lucario.
"My goodness what is a Lucario doing in Kanto?" Professor Oak cried
"Whoever you're after, they're not my master or mistress. Leave them alone. Go back to your mourning. And you stop perving on my mistress." Everyone was shocked that the Lucario talked and that he pointed at Brock.
"How did you know we were coming to see a person that passed away?" Gary demanded Lucario just ignored him before turning in its heel and running after its master.
"Hello. How is everyone today?" Suzanne asked shortly after Lucario could be barely seen in the distance.
"Fine Suzanne it is just that we saw a couple standing in front of Ash's house and when we were about to go after them a Lucario stopped us" replied Dawn's mother Johanna.
"That must be Ashura and his girlfriend Domino she must have come looking for him, I told Ashura about Delia he must have been paying his respects." They all looked at her.
"Who is Ashura?" Lola asked.
"He's a nice man who saved me and Eevee from some bad people wearing black clothes with red R's on them from stealing Eevee" beamed Delia happy that she could sing praises about her new hero.
"Yes. He saved Delia from being attacked by Team Rocket. I asked him over for breakfast to thank him for saving her. I told him about Delia and Ash when he looked at some of the photos I have of them" she clarified to the group. "He has a really friendly Pikachu and Persian. Very strong too. It simply rubbed it head in my leg and nearly pushed me over in affection." Suzanne remembered.
"A Persian you say?" Professor Oak asked with a thoughtful look on his face.
"You don't think that its Ash's dad's do you grandpa?" asked Gary. 'It's entirely possible for Giovanni to have given Persian to Ash to help him in his quest since he had the same dream Ash had before he was forced to take over Team Rocket.'
He thought "It may be have been Gary. I wouldn't be surprised if Ash chose this day to visit his mother, since it was been five years since she passed away, either."
"But that Lucario said it wasn't Ash why would it need to lie? And why did it know that we were coming to see Ash's mom" asked max as he scrunched up his brow.
"Pokémon can lie just as effectively as humans can Max. maybe even better. A Pokémon that requires as much loyalty as Lucario to evolve from Riolu and had the patience to learn to talk wouldn't think twice to lie if it thought it would protect its trainer. And if Ashura happened to be an aura wielder it is entirely possible that he bonded with that Lucario and is able to talk to it telepathically through that bond." Professor Oak replied in his teaching voice.
"Momma. What's aura?" asked Delia a picture of pure innocence as she tugged on Suzanne's dress.
"Aura, Delia, is the life force of everything that is around us. Rocks, tree, rivers, Pokémon and humans all have aura. Aura wielders are able to manipulate this force to their will and do a great many things like use it as a weapon, to heal something or someone and in self-defence; it's also said that they are able bring life back to nature that has been damaged or destroyed. Aura wielders that use it to protect the balance of nature and the good for all are called Aura Guardians. They protect people, Pokémon and nature against things that want to hurt or destroy them it is even said that they can hear the voice of nature." Professor Oak lectured.
"Then Ashura was an Aura Guardian. He got bitten by a Rattata when he was trying to protect me and Eevee and he didn't even need a band aid" replied a smiling Delia happy that she was able to work that out. Professor Oak however was shocked.
"He must be then. And a powerful one too because if he got bitten by a Rattata he would have had a terrible bite and would have been bleeding everywhere he may have even needed stitches." May remembered something.
"Hey wasn't Ash able to use aura? You know Brock? When we were at Cameron Palace in Rota?"
"Yeah." He could remember. "He helped Sir Aaron's Lucario heal mew so it could fix the Tree of Beginning because he had the same Aura as Sir Aaron and could use his gloves as a focus to use his Aura." May started to get upset.
"So you mean that we may have seen Ash and now we missed the chance at talk to him again?" Gary nodded with his Grandfather.
"Did you say that Ash's dad had a Persian" Brock asked Gary.
"Yes I did, I only knew his dad for a short time during the days he visited Ash when we were young before he stopped coming but wherever he was there Persian was always with him. It had a soft spot for Ash as well; it was always letting him ride it."
"Who is his dad?" Brock asked interested in who was the man who raised Ash.
"That's for him to tell you Brock. If you ever see him again it is not our place to say. It is something that is too personal to Ash and Delia all I will say is that his father was once a great man" The professor replied. He looked on into the distance where Ash and Domino left in 'was it truly you Ash?' he wondered before leading the others out to the back of the house.
There first chapter has begun of the return of Ash Ketchum I don't intent to have Ash take on Team Rocket yet he will want to test his strength before then so he is going to be travelling for a while. This is my first story so constrictive criticism would be welcome but please no flames.