I do not own pokemon

Chapter 4: Moving Forward

Brad had to admit his surprise when Freya burst into his office while he was catching up on his paperwork looking like she saw Giratina its self and told him that Reginald had completely lost it. Once he followed her to the incident he could see why. The researcher couldn't remember the last time he was this angry. What was Reginald thinking? Brad didn't need to ask Clemont what happened. It was clear that the Heliolisk, presumably Clemont's got spooked and in turn scared Ash, or the other way round. Thankfully the One-way mirror was the only casualty. Once he made sure both Clemont and Ash were being seen to, he left the room and headed towards his office to have a chat with a certain employee.

"Do you mind telling me what that was all about?!" he asked as he slammed the office door behind him.

Reginald who was sitting at the chair in front of Brad's desk turned to the lead researcher with a look that said: "Isn't it obvious?"

"That creature was damaging our property"

Brad sat at his desk. The fact that he didn't know if Reginald was referring to Ash or the Heliolisk made his blood boil.

"Accidents happen Reginald. I'd have thought you'd know this by now."

"Do you know how much it would cost to replace that mirror?" asked Reginald.

"Yes, Reginald I know. I'm the one who purchased it," said Brad as he pinched the bridge of his nose. "but we are not talking about the mirror, we are talking about your treatment of Ash. It stops. Right now!"

Reginald stood up and loomed over Brad.

"That thing just damaged an expensive tool and you are just going to let it slide?!"

"Like I said Reginald, accidents happen. Ash is barely a week old. There's no way you can convince me that he scared that Heliolisk on purpose."

"A week-old huh?" asked Reginald venomously. "Tell me, sir, How much longer do you think he'll last?"

Brad's eyes narrowed.

"What are you talking about?"

"Oh come on, that never crossed your mind? A replacement heart is one thing, but we both know that these artificial organs aren't as, for lack of a better term, effective as the real thing. Isn't that what we're working to fix before we go public with this? Now imagine an artificial human, with nothing but artificial organs? Even an artificial brain? Which of course are also inferior. How much longer do you think it would be before something gives out? A week? A month? A year? That thing is going to wear out eventually and when it does..."

"SHUT UP!"

Brad slammed his fist on his desk, now seeing red.

"I thought I made it clear that Ash is not a thing! Not an it!" He is as much a human as you and me with thoughts and feelings! He is alive!"

"It's a clump of fibres that's a waste of valuable research material!" shouted Reginald. "We are supposed to be revolutionizing medicine, yet you're playing daddy with a mannequin that wasn't even suppose to exist."

"Reginald, I'm not having this argument any more." sighed Brad. "It pains me to do this considering you had so much potential but I have to put Ash's safety first. Your contract with us is terminated, effective immediately."

There was silence for a few seconds Reginald slammed both his hands into Brad's desk.

"You're firing me for nearly breaking your favourite toy?! There's a word for that Brad; childish!"

"I want your desk cleaned out by tonight," said Brad completely ignoring him. Within seconds Reginald grabbed Brad by his lab coat and lifted him off his feet.

"I'll see you in court for this Brad you know I will!"

"And what will you tell them?" asked Brad. "That you were fired for abusing a teenager? No scratch that two teenagers? I'd love to see how that works out for you. Now put me down before I call security. I'd rather you leave with your dignity intact."

Reginald glared at Brad as if he just insulted his mother then slowly he put him down and made for the door.

"You will regret this Brad. I'll see to that."

Reginald then left the office slamming the door behind him. Brad leant against his desk and rubbed his temples.

It's for the best Brad. Safety comes first here.

It had to be at least four in the morning but Clemont was too on edge to sleep. The events of that afternoon kept replaying in his head. He was lying next to Ash on his bed. Clemont refused to leave Ash alone after that violent encounter with Reginald. When that man slammed Ash against the wall, Clemont thought he was going to punch the living daylights out of the researcher which scared him a little. He glanced at Ash who was in a fitful slumber. Clemont was amazed he was able to sleep at all.

Clemont sighed and removed himself from the bed as carefully as he could so that he wouldn't wake the teen next to him and walked towards the window.

It was almost pitch black outside, with only a few lamps illuminating the streets. Clemont took a shuddering breath. What would've happened if Brad hadn't arrived? Clemont had never seen the lead researcher so furious. Brad's office must've been on this floor somewhere because Clemont was able to hear quite a loud argument down the hall that lasted a good hour which only stressed Ash out more. Clemont hasn't seen or heard either researcher since. Ash hadn't spoken a word at all since this afternoon. He didn't even want his dinner He just lied in bed not wanting to do anything. Clemont couldn't say he blamed him after today. Clemont clenched his fists. How could Reginald do something like this? Clemont was making such good progress with Ash. He was starting to walk on his own and was even talking more. Now that awful researcher might've just set everything back to square one!

"Clemont?"

The blonde turned to see Ash sitting up and staring at him. Clemont noted that this was the first time Ash said his name correctly. At least something positive came out of this.

"Hey, can't sleep either huh?"

Clemont walked back to Ash's bed and sat next to him.

"Don't want to sleep. Pictures."

"Huh? Pictures? What do you mean?" asked Clemont unsure of what Ash was getting at.

"Pictures...in my head….scary man."

It took Clemont a few seconds before he finally was able to puzzle out what Ash was trying to tell him.

"Oh, you had a bad dream. Don't worry they're not always scary."

Ash didn't seem to be listening he was staring at his hands as clenched and unclenched his fists.

"Am I aa abo….abnation?"

"No!" cried Clemont pulling Ash into a hug "No you're not! Don't listen to a word Reginald says. He's just an intolerant foo, who doesn't know how wonderful you are!"

"Wonderful?"

Clemont nodded and broke o the hug so he could look Ash in the eye.

"Yes, We may have only known each other for a couple of weeks but...you're already one of my best friends."

"What's a friend?"

"A friend….is someone you like to spend time with and do things with."

Ash seemed to ponder this for a minute then he looked at Clemont with a hopeful smile.

"So we're friends?"

"That's right," said Clemont. "We're friends."

"Best friends?"

Clemont smiled and pulled Ash into another hug.

"Yes, best friends."

They stayed like this until the sun came up and probably would've stayed like this even longer, but the door opened and Brad came in.

"I thought I'd find you in here," he said with a knowing smile.

"Oh...er...I didn't want Ash to be alone tonight," said Clemont as he fidgeted with his sleeve.

"Nothing wrong with that," said Brad. His face then turned serious. "Clemont I was hoping I could talk to you. Want to join me for breakfast?"

Clemont had a feeling this was coming. Reginald had his tongue lashing, now it seemed it was his turn. Clemont turned to Ash as he felt his heart speed up at the thought of leaving him alone. Brad seemed to guess what he was thinking as he placed his hand on Clemont's shoulder.

"You don't have to worry. Freya will be in the next room today. She offered to keep an eye on him and don't forget we do need to make his breakfast so two pidgey with one stone.

Clemont couldn't argue with that so he went with Brad to the break room. Clemont made scrambled eggs on toast. Ash's favourite. He hoped that would entice Ash to eat this morning. He gave Ash his meal then rejoined Brad to eat theirs.

"I must say you're quite a chef Clemont," complimented Brad. "My eggs never come out this good."

"Thanks," said Clemont as he blushed slightly.

"Now about yesterday..."

"I'm really sorry about the mirror," said Clemont quickly, wanting to get that detail out of the way now. "I'll pay for the replacement."

"Thanks, but don't worry about it," said Brad. "I was considering uninstalling that one-way mirror anyway. There's been little need for it lately since Ash has been in that room. All you did was finalize that decision. Besides, it was an accident. It's actually Reginald I wanted to talk to you about. I wanted to apologise."

Clemont wasn't sure what to say to that. Well at the very least this wasn't a chew out. Clemont sighed in relief.

"It's fine, you can't watch your employees actions every second, and nothing really serious came out of it."

"Hmmm, well rest assured it won't happen again. I've fired Reginald effective immediately. He wasn't pleased, let me tell you. I'm sure you heard our shouting match."

Clemont nodded slowly and noticed that Brad seemed rather embarrassed.

"It's not often I lose my cool like that. Reginald had some….impolite words for Ash and I just lost it I suppose. Reginald shouldn't be a problem any more though. I've updated the computers to make sure his badge no longer worked here. I've also informed security to escort him out should he enter the building. They'll even call the police should it become necessary. I didn't want to lose a talented man but for Ash's safety and yours, he had to go. I couldn't risk that happening again. Security is already stretched thin, I simply don't have enough men to guard Ash's room as well."

"I think you did the right thing," said Clemont. "As you said, Ash's safety comes first."

Brad nodded.

"Yes. Let's change the subject for now. We've completed the vaccination tests."

Clemont eyes shot up from his breakfast to the man next to him.

"And?"

Brad let out a tired sigh.

"Inconclusive."

"Oh….that's too bad," said Clemont. "That….that doesn't mean that Ash would have to stay in that tiny room indefinitely does it?"

"Oh, no no no," said Brad waving his hand. "That wouldn't be fair to him. We'll just have to be extremely careful. Keep him away from anyone who shows even a small sign of being sick. I'll start letting him out of his room at least, but I'm hesitant on letting outside after that problem with Reginald."

"You don't need to worry," said Clemont. "I'll be with him the whole time. If I so much as catch a whiff of him, we'll go straight back."

"Well...alright, but not today," said Brad. "I want things to settle down first, and I'm already letting him out of his room today. We don't want to overwhelm the kid. Let's give it a couple days."

Clemont nodded. That seemed fair enough. He was glad that Ash was going to get more space to move around at least.

Ash was like a kid in a candy store when he was let out of his room he looked around the hallway with wide eyes that were filled with excitement and awe.

"So big!"

Wait til you see outside. Clemont thought to himself.

"Come Clemont! See more, see more!" cheered Ash as he ran down the hallway. He actually ran.

"Wait for me!" groaned Clemont as he did his best to catch up.

How can Ash run so fast?! He's only been walking for a few days.

Ash wanted to see everything, but not all the doors opened. Mainly the research rooms. Clemont understood why. They were really busy in there and didn't need Ash constantly under their feet. Ash didn't seem to mind much. He would pout a little if a door didn't work but quickly moved on to the next. Once they reached a huge window Ash stopped and stared out of it. Clemont realised that this must be the first time Ash saw the outside properly. He didn't think Ash's eyes could get any bigger.

"So big, so big!"

Clemont stood next to him.

"Yeah, it's very big out there."

"Can we see?"

"Sorry, not today," sighed Clemont then he gave Ash a smile. "We've got this place to explore first don't we?"

"Yeah! Okay, we see this place first, then we see the big."

Clemont nodded, glad that his evasion tactic worked. Then he had an idea. It was risky after yesterday but he knew someone wanted to make amends.

"Hey Ash, you hungry?"

Ash looked away from the window and at Clemont then nodded.

"Yup hungry."

"Let's get some lunch then."

Clemont and Ash went into a break room and Clemont started on making sandwiches. Ash began asking questions about the process so Clemont decided to give him a few of the ingredients.

"Just do what I do."

Clemont went slowly so that Ash could keep up and it ended up taking about fifteen minutes. Ash's sandwiches were very messy and hardly even resembled the food. He gave the plate to Clemont

"Your lunch."

Clemont felt his heart flutter. This lunch was just a plate of torn bread and squashed cheese with butter smeared all over it, but Clemont couldn't bring himself to refuse it. Ash made it for him after all.

"Thank you. Let's put them on the table."

Once they were both sat down Clemont gingerly picked up a piece of the mutilated sandwich and took a bite.

"Good?" asked Ash as he watched Clemont expectantly.

"Very good," said Clemont as he tried not to gag on the mountains of butter. Ash gave Clemont his now trademark grin. Yesterday's events were seemingly forgotten, which relieved Clemont. He hoped that what he was going to do next wouldn't spoil that.

"Hey, Ash, remember Heliolisk? The one that came out of that shiny ball?"

Ash dropped a piece of his sandwich and looked down at his plate.

"Scary."

"I'm sorry about that, but Heliolisk didn't mean to scare you," said Clemont. "I think he wanted to be friends with you."

"Friends?" asked Ash. "Like you and me?"

"Yes," said Clemont, amazed at how quickly Ash's speech was improving. "Exactly like that. Heliolisk is a pokemon. They are very special creatures, and there are hundreds of different kinds with as many different powers and abilities. For example, Heliolisk is an electric type so..."

Clemont stopped when he saw the confused look Ash was giving him so he decided to try something else.

"Would you like to try meeting him again?"

Ash seemed unsure at first as he flicked some crumbs off of his lap but nodded.

"Okay."

Clemont smiled and took the pokeball out of his pocket. He took a step back and sent out Heliolisk.

The Generator pokemon seemed sheepish, but Clemont wasn't going to bring yesterday up. That was in the past now.

"Heliolisk this is Ash. He's a little jumpy so be gentle with him okay?"

Heliolisk turned to look at Ash. After a moment he carefully walked towards Ash and tentatively held his paw out.

"Liisk?"

"He wants to shake hands," informed Clemont.

Ash eyed Heliolisk for a second and then smiled and held Heliolisk's paw to shake it.

"Hello"

Heliolisk seemed pleased and once lunch was over Ash and Heliolisk played games together. Clemont sighed in relief. It looked like Ash's opinion on pokemon won't be based on first impressions. Now once Ash is allowed outside there won't be any nasty surprises at least he hoped not.

T.B.C…

Weird place to stop I know but I couldn't think of where to go from here. ^^; Bad Reginald is gone but I'm sure you all know this isn't the last we'll hear of him. Watch this space!