Side Story: All We Can Do Is Hope By WyldClaw
Plot: A blast from Dad's past side oneshot songfic inspired by the 'True Colors' song sequence in ' Trolls'. Title comes from a line in Dolphin Tale 2. Spoilers for Blast from Dad's Past so I'd suggest reading that first. First part takes place a day after Dr. Yung's attack .the second half is after Misty saves Aki from Dodgy Dirk. I own nada but my OCs: Storm, Derek and Storm's pups and Ash's middle name which is just his Japanese name backwards. Italics are thoughts, () is translated Pokémon speech, bold italics are 'True Colors' lyrics and " " is humans talking. Please read and review. Thanks.
XxxxxxX
It was a warm mid-August day-a day where even the breeze felt delightful and one can't help but feel upbeat. It was the sort of day where no one in Pallet City would be seen wearing a long sleeved tee shirt. That is to say no one aside from twenty-seven year old Battle Park Frontier Brain Ash Ihsotas Waterflower-Ketchum, who was currently sitting out on a bench outside the Pallet City's Battle Park Frontier. When he'd gone into work that morning his assistants looked at him strangely but He claimed he had a bad case of massive itchy bug bites from the other day, which seemed to satisfy them. They totally would flip out if they knew the real reason.
He sighed as he looked down at his arms in his lap. Despite the sweat stained White shirt he could almost see the scratches from the blackmailing incident with Dr. Yung from two days ago pop through. The incident had drained him, his Pikachus, his wife and his son. The incident had utterly scared the blazes out of Derek and Aki who'd been unwillingly dragged into the mess- Dr. Yung's true targets had been him and Misty. But it was Butterfree, Aki and his poor wife who paid heavy tolls. He closed his eyes for a heartbeat and saw the vines from Dr. Yung's Mirage Celebi tighten around his wife and dig into her belly as she was slammed around Her screams of agony echoed inside his head.
He reopened his eyes and sighed. The loss of their unborn baby was a deviating blow to her. He knew she'd put on a brave face when he saw her afterward but she wasn't the same. There was something missing-that wonderful sparkle in her eyes- and her Aura felt diminished. He knew it was because of the loss. Mom and I have tried everything to bring her back to normal but no luck. I hope a ghost type pokemon puts a curse on you, Dr. Yung.
Yung had given Pikachu, Pikachu' littlest daughter Aki, Misty, him and Derek more than scars. Though his first Pokémon's wounds were healing poor Aki was in a coma after evolving but his three-year-old Derek was totally traumatized. The Frontier Brain couldn't blame him. He'd been kidnapped, and used as blackmail by Yung after all -the harsh scars that danced upon his arms, face and legs were evidence of that. Derek had refused to go to sleep after the ordeal so he'd been up with him all night until sleep finally overtook the toddler if only for a little while. The terrified boy had clung tightly to him like a shadow, his eyes wide with fright at any sudden moves. It was clear Yung tortured him in the hours in-between his kidnapping and when they went to go save him. Even Ash's own mother had a tough time calming him down her grandson.
It felt like a Hammer Arm attack to his gut when the little black haired boy pulled on his jeans that morning before he left and whispered, "d-Daddy?"
"Yeah champ?"
" I-is M-Mommy g-gonna be backs to no'mal?" The little boy had a combined look of worried and scared in his sea green eyes as he asked this. he witnessed Aki's evolution and her tail being savagely ripped in half not to mention Yung's torture.
The Frontier Brain shuddered at this last thought. He knew couldn't bring himself to tell him the real truth about why his mother was hurt . Derek's so young and little he wouldn't understand the impact .He gulped and replied, " I hope so champ."
"Your mom is tough, sweetie. " Ash's mom told her grandson. "She'll be ...okay." Ash noticed that she hesitated before saying the last word. Poor mom- even she doesn't know if her daughter- in-law's going to be back to normal - and she's usually pretty optimistic.
"Oh. " Derek paused for a few minutes. "I scarewed bout Ki."
(Me too Derek) Pikachu said from his trainer's shoulder.
"She gonna be 'Kay'?"
The mention of Pikachu's littlest pup- who'd sacrificed so much made Ash shudder and pause. Next to Misty, Dr. Yung had affected little Aki the most. The then- Pichu had used up her energy to use Thunder–an improbable feat for a Pichu then evolved to save his son's life from Dr. Yung's horrible Steelyena. But the part steel hybrid savagely ripped half her tail as they were escaping and then she'd fainted from the blood and energy loss-not to mention the awful hybrid smacking her into a tree after she tried to beat it. At the moment she was in a coma at the Oaks' lab and they weren't sure how her future would be . he couldn't bear to tell that to the three year old. Pikachu looked at him thinking the same thing: How do we respond? We don't know what kind of state she'll be in once she wakes up from her coma. What future lies in store for a Pikachu who's lost half their tail?
He took a deep breath and said, "I'm sure she's gonna be okay Derek. All we can do is hope." The look in the toddler's face as he waved to them as they left was too much. He felt hopeless-he hated feeling like that.
...
A warm breeze ruffled his hair and brought him back to reality. "What am I going to do?" he briefly gazed to the small cherry blossom tree a few feet away that hadn't been there until a few days ago. He guessed in time the pain of whom it was a memorial for would fade but he couldn't look at it. Everytime he did he saw Butterfree taking Yung's bullet meant for his little boy in the head, falling to the ground and that last haunting cry and look. In a way he was glad he'd made the decision to add Butterfree wings onto the Battle Park Frontier Symbol. He was sitting on a bench outside the Battle Park-his barely touched lunch still in its paper bag next to him. His long sleeved tan work shirt and blue jeans covered the scars on his arms from Dr. Yung's attack mere days ago. He thought work would take his mind off his poor wife's depression over losing their baby-he'd tried everything short of calling her older triplet sisters to intervene but no such luckier. He sighed again. Oh Arceus what am I going to do?
Pikachu looked up at his trainer from on top of his shorts as he absentmindedly stroked his fur, mindful of the half healed scars on his pelt. The Electric mouse gazed from his friend's distant look to his hardly touched lunch. He knew something had to be very wrong/off for the human not to eat a meal and something was very off. He knew his trainer/friend's mind was an emotional jumble. The mouse could sense a mix of sadness and horror at how he'd heartlessly and done to Misty's baby, fear at what he did to them sadness at what the psychotic scientist did to Butterfree and frustration that he couldn't do anything about it. Poor Ash. (Ash? Are-are you okay? )
The black haired man looked down at him. "H-huh?"
(You've been unusually quiet and distracted today. You didn't seem like yourself today during the battles. . And.) He flicked an ear to the lunch (you didn't touch your lunch).
"I'm just …worried." He then lowered his voice. "M-maybe I should have told Scott I wasn't gonna be able to be in today as well as yesterday. " He sighed. Pikachu licked his cheek-as if trying to reassure him. " Thanks pal."
(And try to explain to him what happened? He wouldn't really gotten Yung's grudge against us. And you missed the other day anyways.)
"You're right, it's just…"
(Hard being here when your heart tells you to be with Misty in case anything … changed) the mouse ended. (I know how you feel. I'm extremely worried about Aki. That's why I wasn't really into the training this morning. I hope she'll pull through)
The man felt sympathetic towards his partner. He was very protective about his young pup possibly stemming from the fact that she had been the smallest of her litter and last to hatch. Storm is probably ripping her fur out. His mate Storm and her brothers Taran, Electra, Thora and Zapp were worried and anxious about her -though her sisters Electra and Thora covered their worry by asking if the attack was stronger than their own. "I'm- I'm sure she will, Pikachu. "
His pocket vibrated as his phone buzzed. He fished it out of his pocket, turned it on and looked at the text. It was from his mother. It read I know u r at work but how r u holding up after everything? Derek's a mess-
He replied back with 'on break. I'm …fine Mom
The mouse saw the text message. (You know she's not going to believe you at all.)
" I know"
The mouse was right- not even two minutes later he got a reply to the text. Pikachu look looked at as he showed him the text which said 'No you r not. I'm your mother. I know when something is up.
(I told you.)
He responded with 'worried about Misty. Is She any better?
She wrote back a minute later with 'No change. Sorry honey'.
A sad face Emoji followed this. A few minutes passed as he felt his heart break then he got another text. 'Derek tried drawing her a picture. We attempted to read one of his books to her but no luck'
He sighed again and sent back. 'Tell him I'll pick up one of those macaroni and cheese meals he likes for dinner.'
He looked at the home screen picture for a few minutes. It was a shot of him, Derek, Misty, Daisy and her daughter Rosie- younger than Derek by just a little over a year - that Tracey took at the fair recently. The kids were holding small pokedolls and had lopsided hats on and sweat all over their tee shirts. He himself had ice cream smudged all over his face- he'd said some smart-aleck remark and of course paid the price. His heart sank as he looked at his wife's smiling face. It wasn't right to see his beautiful orange red headed wife of two and a half years reduced to a shell of herself- a quiet, non-talkative somber shell. It wasn't her fault she was like that-though he tried everything to get her back to normal. He sighed again as he closed the phone and put it away. I wish… I wish things could be back to the way they used to be. I really wish we'd never run into Yung in the first place.
Pikachu nudged his hand knowing his trainers thoughts (I wish that too. But for whatever reason we were meant to encounter him. We have to stay strong and believe that things will be better - that Aki and Misty will recover.)
" I just feel hopeless. I wish I could do something to get her back to normal. But ... nothing's worked."
(You just have to let her recover on her own. She went through a horrible ordeal I'm sure she'll be back to normal soon. Just be there for her)
"I'll buy some flowers when we pick up Derek's dinner at the market later on." He noticed his partner's face. " And we' can check on Aki as well before we go home. Maybe she'll be-" His stomach growled loudly.
(Have you even eaten your lunch?)
" I wasn't hungry until now…"
. (You're not doing them any favors by not eating. I know you're worried but it doesn't mean you have to deny yourself food. ) He added. (Delia would skin you alive if she found out you hadn't eaten.)
Ash grimaced as he pulled the zip-locked sandwich out from the bag-he was right on target. His mom certainly would chew him out. " You're right."
X time change X time change X time change X time change X time change X
Ash, Misty And Pikachu stared down at their toddler and the stumpy Tailed small Pikachu both asleep on his bed. Pikachu was staring at his daughter from Derek's squishy blue beanbag chair. Misty bent down to brush a lock of black hair out of her son's eyes and pull up a light blanket over them. As she did this she trembled as she caught sight of the half healed scars on his arms and scars from Dodgy Dirk on Aki's back. She felt tears sting her eyes as the tears ran down her face. Poor Derek and Aki. It's not their fault they' were dragged through such utter hell in the last few days. My poor, poor babies.
" Mist? " her husband asked. " Are you okay?"
She got up to her full height, turned around and faced him. She buried herself and her long blouse and shorts in his long-sleeved red tee shirt, just like she'd done a few days ago after her sudden abortion operation. He hugged her tightly as a few tears slid down her face. "I'm just horrified at what those- those inhumane cold hearted villains nearly did to them. My poor innocent babies… "
He stroked her hair. " I know sweetie. It's not your fault they got hurt them l-like that."
(You couldn't have known what either of them was planning.) The mouse told her. (Aki acted very selflessly and didn't think of the consequences just like someone ewe know.) He prodded his trainer's shoulder with a paw.
She smiled and almost looked like her normal self again. "Hmm. I wonder who she picked up that trait from."
Her husband grinned. " Guilty as charged."
(You seem much more like yourself than how you were the other day) the mouse noticed. (You appeared hollow and distanced like a shadow of yourself. Nothing like yourself)
The redhead sighed. "I wasn't acting normal. I suppose it was everything: Yung's attack, nearly losing Derek, that ruthless attack on the baby, and seeing Butterfree -" Ash looked away and she felt she couldn't even say the word. "Once I got the news about the baby it was like all hope had drained out of me. I felt lost and hopeless like I was in a deep funk."'
"Mmm-hmm. " Ash kissed her. "Nothing I or Mom said made you feels better." She nodded.
(When you got back from your jog with Aurora and had Aki it was like that hope and spirit were back. Your eyes had that sparkle again, that special color you had before….)
"The attack." Misty finished and the guys nodded. "Something did happen. I was with Aurora and-I sensed her pain. I think it must have been the Aura bond. But I heard her whimper so we followed the source and heard Dodgy Dirk ordering his Carnivine to-" She gulped and whispered, "Hyper Beam her."
Pikachu' eyes went wide for s few seconds. (Whaaaat? That vile poacher was going to -) she nodded yet. (My poor little girl.) He was protective of his littlest pup since she was the runt of the litter and almost didn't hatch from her egg. . Considering everything Aki had gone through in the past few days it was only natural that he was even more protective of her than ever before.
"Don't worry. Aurora iced his Carnivine b-before it was too late. When I got there I saw her badly wounded, weak, tied up and D-dirk's knife a-at her throat. For a few seconds she w-was..." She jerked her head to her sleeping son. "When I saw that vision- i guess you could call it … something powerful burned inside me, like there was this pile of logs that became a raging wildfire by an Inferno attack. I was furious when I saw what he was about to do. I'd already lost one baby and nearly lost Derek. I felt like a female Pyroar – I wanted to protect her with all my might. I wasn't going to lose another member of our family. ." She explained.
The two guys nodded. " That makes sense. " Her husband said. "I was wondering why you came in with your Aura blazing. I swear you could've almost passed for one. That is if your hair had gold streaks in it and went all the way down to the floor." she lightly punched him in the arm. "Oww. What was the that for?"
She rolled her eyes as he rubbed the spot where she hit. " You're such a doofus… my doofus. " She kissed him. They stopped hugging. She felt back to normal all thanks to her dense husband. "I love you and it's the bond of love and family that's gonna turn things around."
"Yeah…." He paused. "Hey. Your eyes had that sparkle back again. It was gone after Yung- " he didn't elaborate. He motioned to Aki's two sleeping form as she shuffled her paws in her sleep.
She smiled and kissed him yet again. " Like you just said, it was the bond of love and family that got it back to normal. Speaking of love…"
She took out her phone and got to her music selection. She then, put the volume on low, looked through her music playlists and selected one called 'love. I know it's here somewhere. (What song are you ' looking for?) Pikachu asked from the chair as she looked through the playlist.
" The one by Phillip Collins from Dawn and Kenny's first dance at their wedding."
(That's a great beautiful song. And it fits the occasion.) The mouse Remarked.
" Yeah. " she grinned.
"Why that one?" Ash asked.
She groaned- he could so dense sometimes. "Did you even listen to the song when they danced to it?"
" I was busy watching Derek."
" And stuffing your face with the appetizers." She reminded him.
"Hey. We were both hungry."
" You're always hungry. I swear you eat as much as Snorlax. Anyways listen. It fits this situation as I was all blue and depressed but you and Aki brought me out of that funk"
. She put it on the small kiddie play desk, pressed played and the intro music started. But she paused it a few seconds later when they heard the pitter-patter of pawsteps down the hallway and heard noises outside the door a few minutes later. (Ow! You're standing on my ear, Thora)
(Well you chose to be there Zapp. Don't be such a baby)
(But I am still a baby Pokémon)
(I almost got it…)
(Can't you just knock at the door Electra?)
(Shush! Put a Spicy Poffin in it Taran!)
(Electra, don't be mean to your brother.) Storm's soft voice scolded. (Just because he's still a Pichu doesn't give you the right to be rude)
(But mommmm….)
" Pups..." Ash sighed as he went over and opened the door. Two Pikachus and a Pichu with a tuft of head fur that stuck up tumbled onto the carpet followed by another Pichu and Pikachu's small mate Storm. Pikachu sighed as the two Pikachu pups looked up at their trainer. "Okay. Whose idea was it this time?"
The two Pikachus who had been at the door- Electra and Tora stood up and pointed at one another with their front paws. (She did it)
(Uh... Electra started it!)
(I did not Thora. You did)
(Did not)
(Did too)
(Did not)
(Did too)
(Did not)
(Did too)
(Did not)
(Did too)
He rubbed his temple. " Great Arceus …I swear you two are almost bad as Pignite and Oshawatt. I thought evolution cooled off your rivalry."
(Not by that much.) Storm- the smaller Pikachu-replied to as she put her tail in between her daughters. (Stop fighting you two. your sister and Derek are sleeping.)
Surprisingly they did. (Actually…) Zapp- the Pichu with the head fur sticking up- spoke. (It was Taran's idea. We...wanted to check on Aki).
(And I love that song) Storm said. Her mate blushed as he patted the space next to him on the chair with his tail. His mate and pups curled up next to him. Misty pressed the play button. Two humans quietly sang the song as they danced in the center of the room so as to not wake their sleeping son.
Ash: You with the sad eyes
Don't be discouraged
Oh I realize
It's hard to take courage
In a world full of people
You can lose sight of it all
And the darkness inside you
Can make you feel so small
X
Misty: But I see your true colors
Shining through
I see your true colors
And that's why I love you
So don't be afraid to let them show
Your true colors
X
Ash: True colors are beautiful
Like a rainbow
Show me a smile then,
Don't be unhappy, can't remember
X
When I last saw you laugh
If this world makes you crazy
And you've taken all you can bear
You call me up
Because you know I'll be there
X
Misty: And I'll see your true colors
Shining through
I see your true colors
And that's why I love you
So don't be afraid to let them show
Your true colors
True colors are beautiful
Like a rainbow
X
Ash: [Whisper:] Can't remember, when I last saw you laugh.
If this world makes you crazy
And you've taken all you can bear
You call me up
Because you know I'll be there
And I'll see your true colors
Shining through
I see your true colors
And that's why I love you
So don't be afraid to let them show
Your true colors
True colors
True colors are shining through
X
Both: I see your true colors
And that's why I love you
So don't be afraid to let them show
Your true colors
True colors are beautiful,
Like a rainbow.
They stopped the music as the song ended. Misty took another glance at her son in the bed. "Our poor baby. I hope he won't have too many bad nightmares about what happened. Wh-what if he comes back?"
Ash saw her gazing at the toddler as the boy fidget in his sleep and held her tight. "I know sweetie. I'm sure he will be all right. But IF he come back-"
(We'll be ready next time.) Pikachu ended, His fur sticking up. In addition to that experience He'd already had one horrible time with Yung years ago- but that had been long before he became a father. (I'll Electro Ball that heartless soulless evil human. His Mirage Pokémon hurt my baby girl- that's inexcusable.)
. (You can't worry about what might happen in the future Pika. There is nothing we can do but Focus on the present and think happy thoughts). Storm told him as she wrapped her tail around her other pups. She looked at him as he licked her cheek then up at her trainers.
(Well-said Storm) Pikachu said, his fur beginning to lie flat. (All we can do is hope things will be better.)
The two sets of parents looked over at their kids. (M-mom? wh-what's gonna happen to Aki?) Zapp sleepily asked the room at large - his siblings had fallen asleep during the song.
(We... don't know sweetie) Storm said. (Right now we have to focus on getting her better)
(I-is that poacher gonna come here?) He asked worriedly.
Misty shook her head and she felt that inner fierce protectiveness rise up. " No Zapp. He's locked up in jail for life. Even if he didn't go to jail we'd keep him away from you."
(I ...don't like what he did to Aki.) He admitted. He was more of a pacifist and didn't like battling that much.
Storm licked her son's ears. He didn't care for conflict much. (I know Zapp, neither do I. It was inhumane for him to do that but he's never going to hurt your sister again.) He yawned. (Get some sleep-you looked exhausted.)
The Pichu nodded. He closed his eyes and was soon fast asleep. About ten minutes later Aki started shivering and whimpering in her sleep. (Please let me go… no! leave me alone… Papa!)
Her father jumped up on the bed and started stroking her back with a paw- careful of the scars Dodgy Dirk gave her as the two humans sat down next to her. (Shh Aki. You're okay sweetheart. Papa's here. It's just a bad dream. Dirk's not going to hurt you) he repeated in a soothing tone until she stopped shivering.
She carefully opened one eye and looked around. (P-papa? M-mom? Ash? Misty?) They all nodded. (I h-had a bad dream about...). She didn't continue her sentence.
"It's okay Aki. ." Ash told her. "It was just a bad nightmare."
"It wasn't real., " his wife added. " Everything is okay. He isn't going to hurt you again. "
Aki nodded though her trainers could tell she was still scared. She glanced over at her half tail. ( I know . It's just...)
( the memories are still fresh) Storm finished and then saw how weary looking her daughter looked. (You look exhausted. )
She nodded and quickly glanced over at her half tail. She still hadn't fully regain her strength- evolving and losing her tail plus fleeing from the oak's lab and being captured then tormented by Dodgy Dirk had taken her energy. (I-I am. . but don't want to have another nightmare a-about either of them )
( I know your you're scared my brave girl. But if they come back you tell those night mares that youre not scared of them and this is your dream. try to dream of something relaxing and comforting like shapes in clouds or playing on a big hill.) Her father suggested.
Her mother began sang 'Baby Mine' - a song from 'Dumbo' but A few minutes later Aki was in a deep sleep. As if on cue less than ten minutes later Derek fidgeted in in his sleep and then sleepily opened his eyes. He blinked his light green eyes as he took in his parents and the mice. " ... M-mommy? Dad- owww". He winced as he tried to get up.
"Whoa there champ. Your boo-boos haven't healed just yet." Ash said. Misty propped a soft pillow against the bed and he helped him to a comfortable siting position.
Misty's eyes softened at the sight of her baby - her pride and joy. " What's the matter sweetheart? "
The toddler 's gaze pin-ponged from Aki to them and back for a few minutes. " I hearded Ki whimp'wing."
(It's nothing Derek. ) Pikachu told him. (She just had a bad dream.)
" 'Bout the meanie man and the scarwy man?"
His parents looked at each other unsure of what to say but luckily Storm came to their rescue. (Y-yes.) The female Pikachu nodded. (I couldn't tell which one but she was scared)
"Both scarwy." Derek looked at his scars. "The scarwy man scarewed me toos." His lip trembled as if he were going to cry.
Misty hugged him carefully. " I know baby. But like I told you earlier he's not going to come back."
Ash's chocolate eyes darkened as one hand clenched into a fist. "He'd better not show his face around here again. I've got more than a few choice words for him.""
Misty gave him a look that scorched. "Don't you dare go looking for him Ashton Ihsotas Waterflower-Ketchum."
He cringed at his full name as he looked at her. "B-b-but Misty... he hurt our baby."
She gave him another look. "That's exactly what he wants- he wants you to get angry and find him. If you g-g find him and you're alone..." she didn't even finish her sentence- one gaze into her viridian eyes and he knew she was right so he unclenched his fists.
" Mommy? Why you says that?"
"B-B-because that 'scarwy man ' as you call him … he wants to hurt daddy and m-me. " She replied tying not to let her voice crack. "And- l-like I told you. W-we had a past w-with him and he w-wanted to get back at u-us...especially Daddy. H-he'd like nothing m-more that to get Daddy alone and... h-hurt him.. J-just like he hurt you'"
The little boy saw his mom's eyes moisten like she was ready to cry again as she traced a half healed scar on his face. "Mommy . I'm 'Kay's. Boo-boos go bye-bye."
She blinked back her tears as she stared over at Aki. She had been thinking of how extremely close she'd been to losing not just Derek's unborn sibling but him as well. My poor baby- Damm you to hell Dr. Yung. " I know you're safe and your boo-boos are gonna heal .,pumpkin. But it's not just your boo-boos I'm thinking and worried about. " She felt Storm- who had jumped up onto the bed covers- give hee hand a lick as her husband kissed her forehead. "Thanks guys."
" What g-gonna h-h-happens to 'ki?" Derek yawned
" We don't know." Ash admitted, then smiled. . " You look beat. "
The boy's lip trembled. "Sc-scarewed to sleep." His parents and the two mice looked at each other and nodded. All four sensed the same name on each other's mind: Yung.
His mother stroked his hair. "Everything is okay sweetie. You're safe, ' Ki's safe and the scarwy man who hurt us are gone far away. It's okay to sleep."
Derek bit his lip- an inherited nervous habit of his dad's. "H-he W-Weally gones Mommy?"
Ash and Misty both nodded. (you just have to focus on regaining your strength and . ) Pikachu said.
The boy nodded. "'Kay." He sleepily rubbed his eyes. " Wh-what bout scarwy dweams?"
(Just tell yourself they aren't real and that you can decide your dreams. Dream of happy things instead... like playing with your parents) Storm suggested
(Or with your cousins?) Her mate added.
"Daddy's Pokeys toos?"
His father nodded at his suggestion. "Mmm-hmm. Don't you worry derek. everything's going to be okay. Mommy and I will be right here in case you have another bad dream. You just focus on having good dreams. "
The toddler nodded . "'kay." He said still a bit unsure.
Misty looked over at her son and then over at his bookshelf. "how about if daddy tells you a funny story?"
He nodded excitedly. " stowy!" his eyes sparkled with happiness0 he loved to hear stories..
" What's the magic word, champ?"
"pease?"
Ash rolled his hands through his dark hair. " A story huh? What about when Mommy beat me the Whirl Cup?"
" whorl cup?"
" Whirl Cup sweetheart." Misty told him. "It's a big tournament with Water Pokémon in the Orange Island."
The boy nodded and he began telling the story -with help from his wife and Pikachu. Within fifteen minutes Derek was sound asleep, breathing deeply and sucking his thumb. .
The two Pikachus jumped onto the floor as Misty placed him down on the bed sheet then placed a light blanket over Aki and her sleeping son. Ash got Derek's favorite Pokedoll - a chubby Teddiursa with a small red shirt from a nearby shelf and put it near him. As she and Ash got off the bed She looked down at a semi-healed sickle shaped scar on his face and felt a surge of sadness and anger. My Poor baby boy. He must have been so terrified; it's not his fault he got dragged into that mess. At least he made it through alive ... unlike his sibling and..She shivered.
Her husband interrupted her thoughts by kissing her, knowing her next thought. "It's okay Mist. Everything's gonna be okay." He repeated until the shivering stopped.
"how could Yung do that to an innocent boy, Ashy? Or even an unborn baby? H-h-how could he so demented and hard hearted that he'd…" she gulped.
He stroked her hair again, " I know sweetie…. I know.."
She lowered her voice. " I was so looking forward to being a mother again. I didn't think ..."
"Like I said the other day it's not your fault at all. It's that horrendous revenge driven psychopath's fault . " he gazed briefly to her thin stomach underneath the light blouse- like tee shirt she was wearing. The two Pikachus followed his gaze. He looked back up at his wife . "It's okay Mist. . We're all safe and sound-" his eyes drifted to Aki and he sighed . "We're alive. " He kissed her. "Remember what Doctor O'Brien said. You'll be able to have another chance in a few years. "
She blinked back a few tears. " I forgot about that. Thanks Ashy. " She kissed his cheek. "She didn't say when I'd be able to but ... when the time comes ..it will happen. "
( that's the spirit.) Storm stated.
" I'm sure that whenever our next baby comes they'll be as gorgeous as you."
" or as stubborn as you." She countered.
He pretended to look offended. "Stubborn? Me? Never. " The other three rolled their eyes . He noticed something underneath the blanket. " Hey, Pikachu, Storm , Mist, take a look at Derek and Aki's Auras."
" H-huh?" She blinked and saw that beneath the light colored blanket on the small bed both their outlines were shinning a neon pink. They seemed to be connected by a thick line of magenta- the Aura color for immense love. "Oh my Arceus. Is that what I think it is?" She whispered.
He nodded. " that's true human/pokemon friendship bond of trust . The whole thing with Y-yung must have bonded them."
(Oh wow...) Storm commented. Misty wiped a tear of happiness off her face.
(They're bonded for sure now,) her mate said looking up at his trainer with admiration. (Just like Fearow and his flock's attack all those years ago. They saved each other,)
" They sure did…"
The two sets of parents just stared at them for a few minutes. (What's going to happen now?) Storm asked the question on everyone's mind.
"N-no clue." Ash told her. They looked over at Aki and Derek then at each other. They didn't know what the future held for them now or how the two would ever get over their trauma of what happened. . But the two sets of parents knew one thing for certain: If Yung or Dodgy Dirk ever, ever showed their faces around again or tried to hurt their children there would be hell to pay. There would be nothing they wouldn't do to protect them.
The end