Ash's dad returns

chapter 1

A/N: Just quickly, I'm writing this during my exam period but I will edit it afterwards and hopefully it turns out alright. Let me know what you want next, I'm versatile.

Character Ages:
Ash: 17
Misty: 17 and a half
Brock: 20
Delia: 41
Jackson (Ash's dad): 41

It was another beautiful day in the Kanto region. The sky was blue without a cloud in sight and the sun was shining brightly. Ash, Misty and Brock had gone over to Professor Oak's lab to check up on all their Pokémon whilst Pikachu decided to stay back at Delia's until Ash got back.

"Pikachu, I have wonderful news"
"Pika? Pika Pikachu?"
"Ash's father is coming to stay with us for a few weeks. He should be here in a few hours."
"PIKA?! PIKACHU PIKA PIK PIKAPI PIKACHU KACHU!"
"What? Pikachu, please don't raise your voice at me."
"Pika. Pikapi Pikachu kachupika"
"What do you mean 'Ash won't like that'? He will be thrilled"
"Pika…"

-Oaks Lab-
"Hello there Ash, Brock and Misty" Professor Oak says happily
"Hey Professor" the trio say in unison
"Oh Ash. Your mum has something important to tell you when you get back home"
"I wonder what she needs to tell me?"
"All I know is that she stressed the importance factor"
"I'll find out after I check on my Pokémon" at that exact moment, Muk comes out of no-where and covers Ash in a hug.
"MMUUUUKKK!"
"Hey Muk. How have you been? You miss me?"
"MUK MUK"
"That's good. Hey Muk *whisper whisper whisper*"
"MUKK!" And with that Muk starts going for Brock and Misty
"ASH!" Both Brock and Misty yell in unison
"I had to. Alright Muk, no more terrorising them. Professor Oak looks like he could use-"
"DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT IT YOUNG MAN!" Professor Oak yells in defence
"I was only joking professor but sorry"
"It's OK Ash. Your Pokémon are waiting outside"
"Thanks"

- After about an hour of catching up with his Pokémon -

"I'll see you later" Ash says as he waves good-bye earning several good-byes from his Pokémon. "Now to go home and see what is so important" Ash says to himself as he walks back to the lab.
"Ready to go Ash?"
"Yep. I've got to find out what my mum wanted to tell me though"
"I'm sure she will tell us over lunch"
"Lunch. I didn't even realise the time. Let's go!" Ash says clearly happy at the prospect of getting food

- At Delia's house -

"Hey mum. I'm back."
"Hello Ash. Did you have fun at Professor Oaks?"
"Yeah. He told me you have something important to tell me"
"I'll tell you over lunch"
"OK. When will that be?"
"It's already set up" Delia says as she points to a big-ish dining table with 8 seats in total, 3 along the long sides and 1 at each of the short sides.
"Great. Let's eat"
Lunch wasn't anything fancy, just some party pies and hot dogs.
"So Ash. I have great news" Delia starts off
"Really? What is it?" Ash asks gleaming
"Your dad is coming here for 2 weeks. He should be here in about 2 hours or so" Delia says happily but during this time, Ash had gone pale and shut up completely
"Mrs K? What is Ash's dad like? He never exactly mentioned him" Misty says as she looks to Ash
"Are you feeling OK Ash?" Misty asks as she sees how pale he is
"Yeah. I'm just... just not hungry" Ash replies getting up from the table and walking to his room
"Did I say something? Ash is never not hungry" Misty asks
"He's never done that before" Delia says with a puzzled look on her face
"We should go check on him" Brock says as he gets up from the table and motions for Misty to do the same.

"Pika Pikapi (I was wondering when you would come in here Ash)"
"Well I'm here now"
"Pika Pikachu (So you found out?)"
"Oh yeah" Ash says as he lifts up his shirt to reveal a long, almost faded but visible when up close scar. "He just has to know that I haven't told anyone anything and if the situation becomes dire enough, we can always start another journey"
"Pikachu Pikapi?"
"It happened when I was 9 and he got to look after me for a couple of months"
*knock knock*
"Who is it?"
"It's us Ash. Can we come in?"
"I guess" Ash says without emotion as he pulls his shirt back down.
"What the hell is up with you Ash?!" Misty starts. "You started lunch like your normal self but as soon as your dad is mentioned, you just up and leave? What's wrong?"
"What makes you think my dad has anything to do with this?"
"It makes sense Ash" Brock adds
"I didn't ask either of you for your opinion"
"Relax Ash"
"I will when you two stop questioning me, this isn't an interrogation"
"Ash. Calm down"
"I'll be back later" Ash says grabbing a jacket and his belt "maybe" and with that he walks out of his house.
"What just happened Brock?"
"I don't know Misty."

- 2 hours later (Ash's dad's arrival) -

Brock and Misty had managed to get Ash to come back to Delia's after about an hour and got him back into his room when they all hear a rhythmic knocking on the door causing Ash to flinch which scared Pikachu who was on his shoulder and caused him to send out a small shock into Ash.
"You're a bit jumpy Ash, what is it?"
"What's what?"
"Why are you so jumpy all of a sudden? What happened to Mr 'Fearless Pokémon Master'?" Misty asks
"I guess I'm just nervous?"
"Why are you nervous?"
"I haven't seen him in about 8 years. Will that stop the questions?"
"Why is it so important that we all stop talking about your dad?"
"Because it's a touchy subject with me" Ash yells in defence
"Alright Ash, but one last question. What's his name?" Misty asks
"Jackson" Ash says as he looks back down at the floor.

"Ash? Your dad's here. Come say hello" Delia yells up to him
"Alright mum" Ash says as the trio and Pikachu make their way downstairs
"Hello Ash. My how you've grown"
"Hi" Ash says emotionless
"Aren't you going to introduce me to your friends?"
"I'd rather not"
"Don't take that tone with your father Ash. Be nice and do the introductions" Delia says unaware of what Ash has been hiding the last 8 years
"Fine. This is Misty, Brock and Pikachu. Guys, this is Jackson" Ash says coldish
"Hello Jackson" Brock and Misty say in unison also unaware of what Ash has been hiding the last 8 years
"Well Ash, you got yourself a nice girl here"
"Oh. Thank you but me and Ash aren't together"
"That's a shame" Jackson says
"Damn right. Kid can't take a hint to save his life. if only he stayed at lunch" Misty thinks to herself
"And you must be Brock"
"I am. Nice to meet you"
"And hello Pikachu"
"PIKACHU PIKAPI!"
"He doesn't like you" Ash says with his first emotion, sadistic