Second chapter – doing pretty well

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Chapter Two: The Letter

Ash smiled as his wife snuggled into his side. Their legs were intertwined underneath the duvet, and the couple relished in the warmth that both of them were enveloped in.

"Ash?"

"Hm?" Ash hummed sleepily.

"Do you... do you think we could go to the city today? I need some more food for the house, and Alex needs some clothes and his diapers are running out."

"Charizard can give you a lift," Ash said shifting a little.

"Ash..."

"Well what do you want Zainab? Do you want me to be a good little boy and go to the town which caused me so much pain?!" Ash said a little angrily.

"But Ash, I don't mean it that way. We have not been out as a family before, and I do not want people to keep pointing their fingers at me and whisper behind my back about the 'poor single mother whose partner left her behind with a 10 month old baby' every time I venture out of the house. It hurts. I know you're justified with your hurt but I don't want Alex to grow up in a society that is constantly pointing fingers at his parents' character. He deserves a father who accompanies him wherever he goes, whether it is to the nearest town, or when he starts his first day at primary school before going off on his own journey."

Ash watched gobsmacked as Zainab ranted at him. Shame filled him slightly as he reflected upon his actions. Every morning since they had moved to Mt Silver, Ash would slip off to train with his Pokémon, leaving Zainab and Alex to go to the town when needed or otherwise preoccupy themselves in the house on the mountain.

"We miss you Ash," Zainab said one last time, before she wiped the sadness off her face at the sound of Alex's morning wake up wail.

With that she put on her dressing gown, tied up her waist length black hair into a pony, and walked out of the room.

-TheChampion-

Ash came down to the kitchen refreshed and ready to change, and paused in the doorway.

Zainab had placed Alex secured on her Arcanine's back and was chasing them both around the kitchen. Alex was giggling fiercely from the silly actions of his mummy.

"I'm coming to get you!" Zainab said and swooped down, plucked Alex up off Arcanine, and blew a raspberry on his stomach. Alex squealed out loud in happiness.

"Now is Alex going to give mummy a kissy?" Zainab said and bent down for Alex to press his mouth to her cheek. She straightened up and pressed a kiss on Alex's mop of curly dark brown hair and placed him in his high chair, before placing some banana in front of him.

Satisfied that he was munching on the banana, she turned and caught sight of an amused Ash in the doorway. She smiled and turned to the stove, where she dished two omelettes on two plates.

"Good morning buddy. How's my champ?" Ash said as he cuddled Alex.

Alex smiled widely, showing his two small bottom teeth, and mashed the banana in his hand on Ash's hair.

Zainab hid a smile behind her hand as she watched Ash try not to grimace at the sensation. Banana in your hair was not the most pleasant experience.

Ash went to the sink and washed the banana out, before plopping down on the chair and digging into the Spanish omelette in front of him.

Zainab shook her head in fond exasperation. That was one thing you could count on, and that was that Ash's eating methods would never change.

A roar was heard from outside, causing both parents to freeze.

"That does not sound like Charizard or Salamence," Zainab said nervously as she quickly unbuckled Alex and held the small boy close to her as Arcanine rushed to his trainer and stood protectively in front of them.

"Stay here while I go out and investigate," Ash said in a calm voice. He pulled on the cloak, and smiled at Zainab, who nodded back. This was his family and he would protect them.

He put two fingers in his mouth and whistled. Pikachu, his faithful companion, and Lucario, his aura partner, both rushed to his side.

"Let's go."

I sense one pokemon Master, Lucario said telepathically.

Ash nodded once to show that he had heard. Closing the door behind them, Ash put up the wards from his own aura. As long as he remained conscious, nothing could get through that door, except for his pokemon and Zainab's. A faint blue glow signified that they were up and strong.

The blizzard was not as strong as yesterday, and Ash could see the outline of a dragon pokemon.

Shall I go ahead Master?

Ash turned to Lucario, who stood there tensed and ready for action.

Go but do not reveal yourself yet.

Lucario leapt away and using the rocks and snow to take cover, the jackal slowly approached what appeared to be a Dragonite.

Master it is a Dragonite and it has a messenger bag on.

Ash nodded to himself and walked to the Dragonite. Pikachu perched on his shoulder let sparks out of his cheeks.

Just tell me Ash and I'll shock him until he resembles a Ditto.

Ash chuckled and watched warily as the Dragonite approached and stopped.

Are you Ash Ketchum of Pallet? The Dragonite asked.

Ash growled.

Be quiet Dragonite. I am now Ash Ketchum of Mt Silver. Pallet is not my home anymore.

The Dragonite nodded once and extended an arm. On his paw was a letter.

This is for you Ash.

Ash nodded curtly and took the letter.

Do not mention of this place to anyone. I have a family to protect and I will not hesitate to kill anyone who threatens them.

Dragonite nodded once and with a sweep of wings, took off and flew off into the distance.

Thank you my friends, Ash said and Lucario nodded, before heading off into the forest to join his team mates.

Can I have some ketchup inside Ash?

I'll see if Zainab can find any for you, Ash told the mouse on his shoulder.

His gaze lowered to the letter. It was really heavy but what was it? And who could have known he was still around? After that day he had erased any of his tracks.

Who could it be?