There's two things I always wanted to write: A Pokeshipping story and an Alphabet one. So I decided to do both with this one. But since the challenge is kinda old I did a twist. Aside from writing a one-shot based on the word of the alphabet I'm gonna shuffle my music player and use whatever song that comes up and incorporate it with the one shot as well. If that sounds confusing I'm sorry.

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Word: Apparition

Song: Say Goodbye by The Click Five

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The night was a cold one for a June evening.

The bar was empty with only the sounds of the bartender whipping off empty glasses to fill the background nose.

Ash was on his seventh drink that night, or at least that's what he assumed, he has lost count after the third.

He wasn't that much of a drinker, heck this was probably the third time he had ever tasted alcohol. The first time was when he mistook the cooking wine for juice and another third time when Gary brought him to a nightclub.

Despite this though he was able to hold his alcohol quite well; unlike Brock who would start doing stupid things on two shots of vodka and pass out on his third. It was from this that it was usually Ash who drove (or dragged if referred to when they were still traveling and he had neither license nor car) the poor old Pokemon doctor home (or drops him in the tent).

But right now Ash might have actually reached him limit.

"I'm about to close for the night kiddo" said the burly barman with a thick red beard "You sure you can handle going home?"

He finished his whisky in one shot and hit the glass on the wooden surface "No I'm good John" he then reached for his wallet and paid for his drink.

"You sure?" the barman took the money "You kinda look terrible"

"That's what you said when I came in"

"Well at least you don't look even worst"

He stood up and took his jacket on the stool "Thanks for the drink"

John crossed his arms "My condolences again"

Ash paused for a moment put on jacket and gave the man a small smile "I'm not the one who needs it"

"I think you need it more" John frowned.

"Not any more than Gary" Ash sighed "I'm not as close as they were"

The bearded man gave the raven head a look "You have a right to be sad about it too, we all are"

"I know" he said heading for the door.

The barman still wasn't convinced "Are you sure you're ok?"

With one hand on the door and another waving the bartender "I'm fine, don't worry I'm not driving" and with that he exited the bar.

A frown formed on the man's face "I wasn't worried about that"

/

It was a little warmer when Ash stepped out of the bar, it was the beginning of summer after all. He reached out for his Pokegear in his pocket but then he remembered leaving it home. He didn't want anyone to know where he was right now.

He sighed and looked up at the sky. It was a crescent moon right now and Ash was kinda disappointed it wasn't a full one. Dawn always talked about how full moons were more romantic of something. For Ash on the other hand full moons usually mean that Team Rocket was planning some stupid trap for his Pikachu or some random trainer will run into their camp asking for help because Team Rocket took their Pokemon.

So with no full moon Ash decided that it was probably just going to be a normal night.

Shoving his hands in his pockets Ash trudged his way homeward. He wondered why John was so worried about him leaving the bar. Sure he might have drank more than the usually but he seemed perfectly fine. Sure neon lights kinda look faded right now but that was just about it.

He had been walking for quite a while now and Ash noticed how it was taking a longer time to reach home. He didn't mind it seeing as he was probably tired from the events that occurred earlier today.

It was unusually quiet outside. Usually even at this hour you could hear some Spinerak and even the occasional Pineco. The pathway was dim as only a few lampposts were actually working and those that worked usually have a weak fuse. Growing up in Pallet he knew each pathway in the back of his mind so he didn't need to look.

All of a sudden he felt his body slowly heat up, at first he ignored it but each step he took he could feel the heat go up from his legs right to his chest. He stopped walking for a moment and his vision started to get blurry only for it to be clear once again with the heat also stopping.

"Boy I drank a lot" Ash placed a hand on his forehead wanting to make sure he wasn't getting any fever or anything.

"You sure did" a voice behind him said.

At once Ash's eyes widened. That was impossible. He probably was just hearing things.

"You don't look to good" said the voice.

He should probably continue walking.

"Are you ignoring me Ash?"

The trainer gulped "Yup never drinking whisky again"

"Whisky? I never saw you as a drinking type" the voice paused "Not unless you counted that time Gary . . ."

Ash turned around and again his eyes went wide.

"Ash? Are you alright?"

His jaw dropped.

"Ash?"

Raising a shaky finger he pointed at the person in front of him "Pro . . . Pro . . . Professor?!"

The old man cocked his head "You look quite pale"

"That's impossible"

"What it?"

"Impossible"

"Ash I do not understand you"

"I DON'T UNDERSTAND YOU!"

"Me?" the professor placed his palms on his chest "What do you mean?"

Still shaking "You're not supposed to be here!"

By now the Professor went from confused to slightly offended "Now pardon me, but I am a grown man and I may choose to go wherever I wish to"

Ash dropped his finger "But you can't"

"And why is that?"

"You're dead"

There was a silence between the two.

"Oh yes, I am aren't I?" the professor said as though he had forgotten this little fact.

At this moment Ash presumed a sweatdrop was formed on his head like those he saw in the anime he saw as a child. "Uhmm . . . does this . . ." he pointed again "That . . . you . . . are a well ghost?"

The old man nodded "Yes"

Ash paused for a moment "And you're haunting me?"

"Well . . . this may be considered that" the Oak patriarch seemed to be considering it some thought.

"Uhh . . ." the raven head stepped back slowly "If that's the case . . ." he pointed with his thumb "I'm going to run"

Still in his thinking pose "I think you . . . wait no Ash!" before he realized it he saw Ash bolting out like a mad Rapidash. "Oh dear . . ."

Ash at the moment didn't know where he was running to but he knew he better get away quick. He had had enough experiences with ghosts to know that they were things (or Pokemon) that need not be messed with. Sure it could have been a Ghastly pulling prank on him but Ash did not bring any Pokemon with him and he was sure that he would not survive two consecutive shadow balls.

Just when he thought he was home free his mad running went to a screeching halt.

Professor Oak was again right in front of him "Now young boy don't you go running off like . . ." he stopped talking when he noticed Ash had run away in another direction "This boy is quite stubborn"

"Fucking Gastly, Hunter, Gengar whatever you are" Ash panted as he tried to get away "Wait a minute" he stopped his running and panted with his hands on his knees "Since when did Pallet Town have ghost Pokemon?"

"Ash listen to me!" Professor Oak was now waving his hands comically.

That seemed out of character for the respected man to do. So this must be a ghost Pokemon.

"Look here!" Ash panted still bent "I've had a rough day, and I'd like to go home now" he panted "So please, let me go"

The professor lowered his arms "If you just stopped running then I wouldn't have done that"

"How was I to know that you wouldn't hit me with a Confuse Ray or something!?" the trainer stood straight. "I've been messed up by enough ghost types thank you very much"

"Do you think" the Professor raised a brow "That I'm a Gastly?"

"Well that or anything in your evolutionary chart"

"Ash I'm real"

"That is what they all say"

"Look here" the Professor touched the trainer's shoulder "I can touch you"

"Well ghosts are really good" Ash looked at the hand on his shoulder "I mean I met this Ninetails, she made really good illusion that Brock almost married" he then added as an afterthought "Now that I think about it most of the girls who liked Brock were either illusions by ghost types or psychic types"

The Professor blinked "You really are drunk"

"Yup I am" Ash nodded "So, whatever you want you won't have it!"

"Ash just listen to me!" the man tightened his grip "I know it must have been hard for you to go through this"

Ash raised his finger "Are you sure you're not James, he did do a great impression of you that one time"

"He looked nothing like me!" the old man shook his head "I am trying to be serious"

"And I'm trying to be suspicious" he poked the old man's nose "Jesse is that you?"

The Professor slapped his hand away from his nose "I am not any of those two"

Ash cocked his head "Meowth learned transform?"

"This is . . ." the Professor tightened his grip "Ash I need you to listen to me, stop stalling" he pointed his finger at the younger boy's mouth "If you say anything"

Ash remained silent.

The Professor sighed "Alright, Ash I want you to know that you don't have to keep your emotions in. I don't want you to think that you don't deserve to grieve any more than my immediate family"

"I am grieving" Ash said looking at the floor "I tried drinking"

"That's not a good way to grieve" the old man sighed.

"Is this all because I didn't cry like everybody else during your funeral?" Ash asked. "Is this what this is all about? That not a tear fell down my cheek when you were there in a casket unmoving and dead? You wanted me to scream my pain and anger as they put you in the ground?"

The professor released his grip "I don't want you to hide your pain inside"

Before Ash could say anything else his chest started to feel hot again and his vision got blurry. "Ash?" the Professor said "Ash . . .Ash . . ."

/

"Ash?" the voice was now more feminine. "Ash can you hear me?" slowly his vision got a bit clearer and he was no longer facing the Professor.

It was Misty.

He also realized he was not standing up on a pathway but he was actually on the laying on the ground "Mist?"

"Pika!" said the yellow rodent from Misty's shoulder.

Ash blinked "What are you guys doing here?"

The red head had a worried look on her face "We were looking for you!" she was still wearing what she had worn during the funeral earlier: A black cotton dress that covered her arms and reached until her knees, a necklace with a sapphire colored crystal and those tiny black hats with several ribbons that Ash found amusing.

Ash himself was still wearing his dark suit "Where am I . . ." he tried to make out his surroundings only for him to spot several grey stones spread out.

"We've been trying to call you but you left your phone in your room" Misty bit her lip "We were so worried Ash"

He ran a hand over his head "I was at the pub, I must have drunk a lot and passed out here on my way home"

"I can tell" she sighed "Your stench is kinda strong"

Pikachu then went over to his master's lap "Pipipikapi pipi!"

"Sorry bud" he rubbed a hand over his beloved friend "But you were sleeping soundly awhile back, decided to just let you rest"

Misty gave him a very concerning look "Ash, you're getting me worried"

"I'm fine Misty" he waved his hand attempting to stand up.

"You're not fine!" Misty raised her voice "You never drink and from the smells of it you drank a lot, I'm surprised you could even hold a conversation at this point"

"If it helps you I'm kinda having a headache" as soon as he stood up his legs felt wobbly and he almost fell grabbing a nearby headstone for support "And I can't walk"

The Cerulean gym leader sighed and assisted her friend by putting his arm over her shoulder and assisting him "I didn't think I'd be carrying another drunk tonight"

"Let me guess Brock?" Ash raised a brow.

Misty nodded "Yup, he was trying to do a Joan Crawford impression and ended up getting a Wigglytuff in the ranch pissed at him"

"I'm sure Croagunk took care of him"

"He didn't that Wigglytuff did quite a number on him" Misty recalling the several slaps Brock received. "But he's fine, it's just his way of mourning" she then stopped walking.

Ash looked at her "You've been giving me that look since this morning"

"Then you're even more of an idiot than I thought"

He looked at her confusingly "What?"

"I've been worried about you ever since the Professor . . ." she trailed, even now that the said man was buried six feet under the ground she still couldn't say it without being a bit overwhelmed.

He looked away "You know you should have just called someone else to find me, you're not in great shape"

"Then why did you go off like that!" she yelled. "You know it's been a hard time for all of us and yet here you go making all of us worried!"

At this he faced her equally mad "What is it that when I leave unannounced you guys always assume I'm gonna do something stupid!"

"Because you always do!" she glared "The only reason I managed to find you was because the bartender said you started screaming at nothing outside his bar and started running off in this direction!"

This made Ash pause "Wait . . . So . . . what I saw . . . wasn't a ghost type?"

"What are you talking about?"

"When I left the pub" Ash bit his lip "I . . . sorta saw a ghost of Professor Oak"

Misty gave him a bewildered look "A ghost? You were yelling at his ghost?"

"I was freaking out ok? The man just died and I thought some Gastly was making fun of me" he panted "Then all of a sudden he started talking about pain or something I dunno"

The read head closed her eyes "Ash, I think . . ."

"That was the alcohol?" he snorted "Yeah, never drinking again"

"Sure but . . ." Misty looked at him right in the eye "I really think that's your brain telling you to . . . let go"

"Misty . . ."

"Professor Oak has been a father to you and you know that" she continued "He's been with you every step of the way from the moment you grabbed that Pokeball and wanted to be a trainer to getting your starter and everything. If there was any one who was prouder than your mom when you got the Champion title from Lance it was the Professor"

He closed his eyes "Misty . . ."

"So you have every right to be upset!" she told him "I know you're trying to look tough but not shedding one tear when Gary himself cried his eyeballs out is saying a lot"

"Look I may look like an emotional guy but I don't do that way!" Ash pulled himself away from Misty and almost stumbled on the ground again.

This made the redhead even more irate "Ash! Get a hold of yourself!"

"Pipikapi!" Pikachu also scolding his trainer.

Ash managed to hold to a nearby lamp post and try to stop the now shaky vision he was having "You know what" he whispered "I'm not ok"

Misty stood behind him "I know"

"He was the first person who actually believed in me" he tightened his grip on the metal post "Even my mom had some doubts about me being a trainer before I started"

This revelation surprised Misty. Delia seemed like the type of person who would support her son no matter how crazy a career he wanted. "But, she always backed you up"

Ash had a small smile "My dad kinda made training Pokemon look like a lost cause back then, he abandoned everything to become better that included my mom and me" he snorted "I don't know where he is but my mom didn't want me to end up like that"

"You love your mom" Misty placed a hand on his shoulder.

"It was Professor Oak who convinced my mom before my tenth birthday" he looked up at the sky "And to think that a respectable man like him would believe in a run of the mill hobo like me, he said I had the spark on what it takes to beat the League"

Misty smiled "And he was right"

Ash sighed then looked at his friend "I always wondered what he saw in me, even when after I beat Lance I wondered what I did to make him say that"

"Maybe it was your stubbornness" she smirked.

"I thought so too" he paused "So I asked him, like the day before he . . . passed on"

She gave another reassuring squeeze on his shoulder "What did he say?"

"He said it because I was the only person" he chuckled "The only stupid person, to ever go to a wild Pokemon infested area without a single Pokemon in my possession"

At first both of them were silent. It was in there that Misty started laughing followed by Ash. The two friends let out their laughter for a few moments.

"To think . . ." Ash shook his head "The only thing needed to be a champion . . ."

"Was absolute stupidity" Misty finished and pair laughed harder.

They laughed until they ended up on the floor.

They laughed until Misty ended up coughing from laughing too much.

They laughed until Misty realized Ash wasn't laughing anymore.

They laughed until Misty wrapped her arms around Ash as he cried unto her shoulder.

Pikachu placed a tiny paw on his bestfriend's back patting it while also trying to hold the tears.

Misty hugged the young man tighter "Let it out, just let it out" she said softly into his ear "It'll be good for the both of us"

/

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