Posted on: 9-12-17
At: 11:47 PM (USA CST; GMT: -6:00)

A/N:

Sorry this took so long. Also, its fairly short. I'm sorry about that. I'm not sure how long it will be until I have another chapter out. My landlord wants to replace the windows in my apartment and I need to rearrange my house, so... Yeah... I hope the next update will be soon. But I can't promise anything. I'm sorry.

Please let me know what you think of this chapter! I love positive feedback and I love to know what my readers think when reading my works! Note at the bottom.

.

Chapter #1: The Ketchum Family.

.

Current Time-Line:

Standing outside Oak labs: Delia watched with worried brown eyes, as the blue car with the 3 teens in it drove off. 16 year old Gary Oak was at the wheel, pikachu was sitting in the passenger seat beside him. In the back seat sat 16 year old Ash Ketchum and 17 year old Misty Waterflower. Before the kids left, Ash had assured his mother that he would behave when he got to his grandfather's home. But, she just... Biting her lip, she wrung her hands. Suddenly a warm arm wrapped around her waist. She leaned against the body of professor Oak.

"They'll be OK, Delia..."

"- But, he hates my father, Sammy. He hates him. He's his grandfather. My father is-"

"Sai will just have to deal with it. He reaped this by turning you away when you were pregnant with Ash. He abandoned you both."

The man said as she turned and hugged him around the waist. He hugged her back tightly as she rested her head against his chest.

"Still. I worry about Ash's temper..."

She said softly. He could feel her trembling.

"Misty said she'd stay with him, didn't she?"

"I have a feeling he won't let her."

The man sighed softly.

"Well. We can only wait and see. Come inside, I'll make you some herbal tea."

She nodded after a minute and let her fiance lead her into the part of the lab that was his home. Her mind was grim, going over all of her choices that lead to the break in her relationship with her father and the reason that Ash so strongly resented her father: Sai Ketchum...

Well over 20 years ago:

Satoshi (Sai) was from a family of Aura Guardians, descended from the great defender: Sir. Aaron the Aura knight. The knight was from the kingdom of Rota (located north of Mt. Moon on the outskirts of the Kanto region).
And the knight's lover: Rin, queen of the kingdom of Rota (who resided in Cameron Palace, near the tree of life that rested between Rota and the main part of Kanto).
Tabitha married Satoshi when she was 24, and he was 27.
He had been a champion of the Indigo and Johto Pokémon leagues by then. He was happy, content, with those accomplishments- so he did not pursue anything more. He wanted to focus on being an Aura guardian, like his father and his grandmother before him... Sai had no real aspirations beyond what he had achieved.

When they were 32 and 35, they had a son, named Tobias, and then, when Tabitha was 39- they had a surprise. A daughter: Delilah (Delia) Rose — was born 7 years after Toby. When Delia was 7.5 years, however, her brother had gotten involved in drugs. He had hooked up with a group called: Team Rocket. They smuggled Pokémon and stole rare ones. There was also a trade in drugs that was run without the knowledge of the higher ups in the group. The drugs were made using the grass Pokémon poison spores. Neither Tabitha nor Sai, had realized what Tobi was doing until he was found dead in his room at the Pokémon center. He had died from an overdose at the age of 15. They never told Delia about what he had been doing, or how he died, when it happened.
After that, Delia's parents (her father especially) had changed. Sai had been training her to be an aura guardian, but, she did not have the abilities to do so. She tried as hard as she could. But nothing pleased Sai. Tabitha saw this and finally got him to relent.

They sent Delia to stay at, and train in, Celadon university when she was 8. Sai's friend, Professor Samuel Oak, a man who was more than a decade and a half younger than Sai, he was teaching there, his son was also studying with the other children there. Children of all ages were there at that time... There was a dormitory- it was separated by gender for children over the age of 13. And by age- for those under that age: with children in rooms of 2.
Each room usually had, either had 2 girls, or 2 boys. Delia, befriended the son of Professor Oak: Matt. He was 2 years older than she was. She also befriended a girl a year older than she was. Her name was Sasha. Delia made 3 other friends, there: Spencer Hale, who was 10, when Delia was 8 and the oldest of the kids she knew: Daniel Waterflower, who was actually a full 7 years older than Delia- and, since she was the same age as, and friends with, his little sister: Stella Waterflower, who Delia shared a room with- Daniel often spent time with the younger kids because of that...

She loved learning from the professor. When Delia was 10- she got her Pokémon license, and a Bulbasaur from Professor Oak (When it was the time for each of them to do so: Daniel had gotten a Squirtle. Spencer had gotten a Charmander. Matt got a Squirtle. Sasha got a Bulbasaur and Stella got a Squirtle, as well). Delia went on her journey after that. Years passed, Delia found that she did not want to do any battling. She didn't like seeing her Pokémon get hurt. She didn't like having her Pokémon hurt the Pokémon of other trainers, either. It just wasn't in her. By then, she had caught a Mime Jr. And she also had a number of other Pokémon, by then.
However, her starter Pokémon, Bulbasaur, died protecting her from an out of control Charazard that they had run into. (Delia had been seriously injured in the incident). It took a while for her to heal, but, when she finally was, she was extremely depressed. She just had her other Pokémon, a Mime Jr. A Pidgy, a Staru, an Eevee, and, a Butterfree. She knew her parents and the professor were going to be disappointed in her. Not to mention, Daniel, Spencer, Sasha, Stella and Matt. But, she couldn't stand it! She released all of her Pokémon. All of them, except for her Mime Jr.

When she tried, he refused to leave her. So, keeping him in his ball, the then: 14-year-old Delia, went home. When she told her parents what happened- her mother, Tabitha, was comforting. But Sai: being a rather hard person who really didn't do well with touchy-feely things and emotions... He had just demanded that she try to learn to be an aura guardian again. Tabitha told Sai to let her have a break, but, he wouldn't. Delia started her training right away... However, unlike her brother (Tobi had been her father's pride and joy, a natural at controlling and utilizing his aura) she could not get so much as a spark of aura energy. After trying for a little over a year... Delia had just had it. Every day that passed made her feel like she was more of a failure. Very late one night- as she was going to her room after getting a drink in the kitchen, she overheard a hushed argument between her parents. Sai said something then- that he would always regret:

"Just let her be, Sai. It's not her fault that she was born without the ability to use Aura."

Said Tabitha. Neither parent knew that the almost 16 year old, Delia, was listening in the hallway.

"If I just keep pushing her, maybe-"

"Sai- she will break, if you keep this up!"

She heard her father sigh heavily.

"I wish Tobi was still here. For so many reasons."

"He's gone. We can't help that."

"If we had to lose a child, why couldn't it have been the useless one!"

Delia muffled a gasp behind her hand, her eyes huge, filling with stinging tears. Hurt was shining in them as she slowly backed away. When she was far enough away, she turned, her waist length reddish-mahogany hair flying out behind her as she ran to her room in her silent bare feet. She didn't hear the sound of flesh hitting flesh, or the argument that ensued from the room her parents were in about how horrible Tabitha thought that was of him to say.
Once Delia was in her room, she threw herself onto her bed and, burying her face in her arms, she started sobbing brokenly. One thought running through her mind, over and over again, as she cried:

'They wish I was the one who had died!'

After that she fell asleep. She woke up around 5 am with a horrible sinus headache and a stuffy nose. She made a choice. Delia packed her travel pack. If they didn't want her around here, she would go back to Celadon U. She would see if she could find some other talent. She grabbed her Pokéball with her Mime Jr. just before she slipped out the window.

2 days later, she knocked on Professor Oak's door, at the university. When he answered- she hugged him tightly. She had only felt like this place was her home. When he asked her what was wrong, she told him about what she had overheard.

"Delia... I... I know you don't want to hear this:"

He started gently.

"- But, your parents love you. I'm sure Sai didn't mean t-"

"Can I enroll here again?"

She cut in. He sighed softly.

"Delia-"

"Please!?"

He looked down at her, and seeing her earnest brown eyes gazing up at him - he frowned softly.

"Alright..."

He said, resting a hand on her head. She beamed a smile and threw her arms around his waist, hugging the man again, tightly. He hesitated, then hugged her back. She reminded him a bit of his late wife, when he and Lilah were young. Probably around the age that Delia currently was...

"Thank you! Thank you so much!"

She said as she finally released him. He sat behind his desk.

"Why are you so bent on being here, though?"

"I want to be near you, professor! I have always felt so close to you. And when I was here, this place felt like home... My own home just feels... So... Cold- in comparison. And I'm useless as a Pokémon trainer, and... As a daughter, I'm a disappointment."

She said sadly, as she sat in the chair on the other side of the desk from him. She was looking at her hands, close to tears.

"You do know, though: that I am going to be finishing my tenure here soon, right? I will be going home to my laboratory in Pallet Town. So, if you're just staying here because I make you feel comfortable, sweetie, then-"

She glanced up at him sharply.

"It was one reason. I won't lie about that, professor. But, even if you are not here..."

He nodded.

"Very well. I will get you enrolled. For now: until then, do you have a place to stay?"

She clutched her backpack straps a little tighter- the pack had been removed from her shoulders, and hung from her fingers, between her feet. She smiled at the professor. And looked him right in the eye.

"Oh, yes professor Oak! I do. I'm staying with a friend of mine here in Celadon!"

He eyed her. He had a feeling that she was not being honest. But, just then, there was a phone call from his laboratory in the school.

"I'm sorry, Delia. A Mankey is loose, tearing apart the lab. They need me,"

She smiled, and got to her feet.

"It's OK, Professor Oak! When should I come back?"

"Tomorrow, around 10 am, we need to choose what you should enroll in, course- wise."

"OK, thanks, Professor!"

She said, turning to leave.

"-But, Delia... I- oh! Blast it all!"

He swore as the phone rang, while Delia waved "bye", then she was gone. He answered the phone again and growled into the receiver, that he'd be there in a minute.

Meanwhile

As soon as she left the university, it started to rain. So, Delia found a bridge to sleep under... But there were wild city Pokémon sleeping there as well. So, she didn't get much sleep that night. When she showed up at the university the next morning, the professor was still busy with the issue from the night before. So she was asked by one of his assistants there, to come back after lunch.

Having nowhere to go, and nothing to do, Delia walked around the city. It was still raining lightly. It was a constant rain, though it was light.

Eventually, she got tired of walking and so, she found a wet park bench and, sat on it. She was already soaking wet anyway. As she sat there, lost in thought, she heard a "pop"sound. Next thing she knew, she was blinking at her Mime Jr. as he sat on her lap. Her Pokémon muttered his own name, then he reached up, patting her wet cheek gently. She smiled despite herself. She hugged him, remembering the death if her beloved Bulbasaur. Soon, her tears were mixing with the rain water on her face as she cried softly while he tried to calm her.

As she was walking back, towards the university some time later, she walked past an alleyway. She heard a voice. Backing up, she saw a girl of her own age. She had a Xatu sitting beside her. The girl was sitting in the mouth of the alley with a table and a second chair in front of her.

"Care to hear your fortune?"

She asked Delia. Delia hadn't much believed in this sort of thing. But, she figured: what the hell?

"How much?"

She asked the girl. The girl smiled, her black hair was brushed back into a set of pigtails.

"You look depressed. If it cheers you up, and makes you smile- it will be free."

She said and Delia blinked.

"All you want is a smile? That doesn't sound right."

"Well... If you could give out my business cards, as well. If you're satisfied, then that will be a help."

She said. Delia nodded.

"OK."

She said and sat in front of the girl. Mime Jr. was still sitting on Delia's shoulder.

"I'm Natalia, by the way... Now-"

The girl started.

"Xatu will look into your future, and display images in the crystal ball before me."

She said, Delia nodded.

"Ok, let's get started! Tell me your name and age, please?"

"Delia Ketchum. I'm almost 16."

"Good, nice to meet you Delia. Now, turn to my Xatu, and let him look into your eyes!"

Delia did, and blinked when the Pokémon's eyes started glowing blue, after a few minutes. She wanted to ask about that, but, she didn't. For some reason she was feeling strange.

"That's enough, Xatu!"

Said Natalia, suddenly. Delia blinked. On her shoulder, her Mime Jr. watched them all carefully. Delia felt like her head was a bit foggy. Turning to the girl, she saw her looking at the crystal ball and making notes. After a few minutes, she looked at Delia.

"I see you and a man together. You were kissing him. Then it showed a baby in your arms. There was the number 3 and showed someone getting taller, indicating aging, So, you will meet your first love. I'm not sure when. But, in about 3 years, you will have a baby with this man. Then it shows-"

She paused, Delia was holding her hand up. Natalia blinked.

"There is more-"

She offered to Delia. Delia shook her head, she was blushing and smiling slightly. She could only wish that was the case... That she would meet someone and have a family.

"That's ok... Can you umm... Just... Maybe... Tell me what this man looks like, though?"

She asked. Natalia nodded and looked at the ball again.

"I can't see his face. I'm sorry. I also don't know his age... But- he's at least, a few years older than you are. He's somewhat tall I think... And his hair is a shade or two darker than yours. But similar in color. He already has a child with another, I think. Also, he is dressed like a businessman. His first name starts with an: A and his last name starts with a: G."

Delia frowned slightly. She couldn't picture herself with a man like that... Just then her watch buzzed, looking at it, she realized she was late. She got to her feet.

"Thank you, Natalia. Can I have some of your cards? I need to go, I have an appointment!"

The other girl nodded. She handed Delia a dozen or so cards, and Delia offered her some money. She refused it. Delia didn't have time to argue, though, so she left the money on the table and ran off through the wet streets of Celadon.

"Professor Oak!"

She called out, her long auburn hair was extremely disheveled, as she finally burst through the doors to his office.

"Mime mi-MIME!"

Called out the Mime Jr. on her shoulder attempting to mimic her moves and words. Oak looked up from a file in his hand. He frowned.

"Slow down, Delia! You look about ready to faint."

He came over, took the girl by her arm and gently steered her to a seat. She gratefully sat down and her Mime Jr. hopped down to sit on the floor beside her.

"Are you alright?"

Oak asked as he walked away from her, she heard him open a cupboard and then, as he walked past her, she felt something land on her head. Reaching up, she felt a fluffy towel there, smiling at him, she undid her messy ponytail and started drying her wet hair.

"Yeah, I was just rushing because I lost track of the time and didn't want to miss you."

She said. He smiled a bit, then started going over the courses with her that she could take. After an hour, they had picked out 5 things. She joked that if she couldn't find something that she was good at after that, that she was really useless! He just sighed and helped her enroll and find a dorm room.

The professor left a few months later. Delia stayed for a little under a year. She had given up on 3 things while there, and was working on studying the culinary arts when it happened: A group of people broke into the university to steal the Pokémon kept there. And her Mime Jr. was one of the Pokémon taken by the men and women in black with bright red R's on their uniforms. After that day, Delia's life would never be the same.

.

To Be Continued.

.

A/N #2: This story and the other's in the series use information from ALL MEDIA FORMS. Anime/Manga AND Game.

So, if you only know one version or the other, then you likely WON'T be completely lost. I generally refer to game maps, since they are easier to find on the internet. I don't play most of the main games (just some demos here and there) but I do use their maps. Likewise, I haven't heard the drama (that tells the story of Jessie's mother or about New 2 and it's friend, the little girl named: Amber) and I have only read a very little bit of the manga (pokemon adventures). But I still use characters and info that are only seen/referenced in that media (and in some cases- the games, as well). So, while my main knowledge base is the anime series/movies, I don't just use anime characters, term and so on. I tend to merge what I can from all of the media forms.

Disclaimer:

Pokémon belongs to Satoshi Tajiri, Nintendo, Shogakukan Comics, And Other Official Companies.

I claim no ownership to any of the games, anime, manga or the characters.
I just love the anime and have since I was around 10-11 Yrs Old.
I am making no money, whatsoever, off of this. This is a story by a fan, meant for other fans who love it as much as I do.
Copyright/Ownership- All Pokémon names and media types are copyrighted to:
Copyrighted by Satoshi Tajiri, Nintendo, Shogakukan Comics, And Other Official Companies, and all other entities that are involved with the creation/publication of the games/anime/manga. I only claim ownership of the original characters that I may or may not add into the stories.