The gang was taking a break after watching Ash win at the Pastoria Gym. It was a good chance for Brock and Dawn to refine their special gifts, Trina to train with her Pokemon, and lastly for Ash to move on to the next stage of his recovery. For the past few weeks he had been keeping a journal and doing therapy sessions with Trina. It was helping and his control over his Heart powers had stabilized. Now it was time to for the next big challenge before the group went to Hearthome once more.
"Alright Ash, its time for you to move onto the next stage of your recovery. Are you sure you're up to the challenge?" Trina asked her charge. Her little family sat patiently at her feet ready to assist her.
"I'm sure. I really want to heal and if this new technique of yours helps then I'm all for it. So what is it I'm going to be doing?"
"You're going to be using your new holographic memory ability to undergo a vision quest to discern who you really are."
"Who I really am? But I know who I am. I'm Ash Ketchum, son of Delia Ketchum. I'm a top rank trainer, a Shoku level Guardian of Lightning and the leader of the group, not to mention the Heart of our world. Doesn't all that tell you who I really am?"
"Those descriptions tell us what you are, but not who you are. To answer that question you must look deep inside yourself and find your true self. That's why this vision quest is important for your healing process. By walking through your past and glimpsing at your future Ash, you can finally find peace of mind about what happened to you. Who knows what kind of potential can be unlocked?"
"Leafa leaf!" Leba barked in agreement. Soon Glen, Ember, Vanessa, Jorgen, and Esme were joining the chorus. They wanted to help Ash anyway they could.
"Alright, what do I have to do first?" Ash questioned as his Pokemon rejoined him. They were curious to see if this new technique eased the symptoms of his PTSD.
"First sit down in a lotus position. I want you to take a few deep breaths and then start meditating. When you've achieved a meditative state I want you to bring your memories to the front of your mind. Then using your holographic technique start walking through them probing and questioning everything you see. When you feel you've understood all there is to know about the past, then try using your powers to glimpse at the future doing the same thing. When you've accomplished your goal ease yourself out of the trance and come back to reality. Once done will discuss what you've learned to see if your quest was successful."
Ash found a comfortable spot and got into a meditative stance. Taking a few deep breaths he closed his eyes and focused his powers inward. He ignored the fear and panic welling up inside him as he searched through his memories. At the moment he wanted to forget what Miyo, J, and Saturn had done to him and focus on a time from long-ago. After much trouble he located a memory of when he was little.
He smiled as he watched his eight year old self run around Professor Oak's preserve, while chasing Gary and several Pokemon around. With just a little thought he was able to make the memory come to life around him in 3D. Pausing the memory for a moment, he examined his younger self. Had he really been that naïve and innocent when he was little? How had his powers remained hidden from him?
Ash stumbled for a second as Trina suddenly appeared next to him. "Give a guy a little warning will you? I nearly had a heart attack! How are you even here?"
"Esme is practicing her Psychic attack again. I thought I join you after noticing the look on your face. So what's up? Have you learned anything yet?" Trina questioned him, her eyes drinking up the remembrance.
"Not really. I look at my eight year old self and I can't help, but feel stupid. I mean look how much trouble I'm getting in with Gary. I was oblivious to the true nature of the world back then. Watching him chase after those Pokemon, I'm surprised I didn't discover the truth sooner with all the risks I took. I mean watch this," Ash said fast forwarding the memory. Soon the two of them were walking towards a crying Ash who was being tended to by his mom and Professor Oak while Gary mocked him nearby. "I remember this. I was foolish enough to try and play with a Ryedon and it threw me hard. I nearly broke an arm and all because Gary dared me. Why didn't I use my head?"
"I don't think you were being an idiot Ash. I think you just wanted to play with the Pokemon. Sure you could have picked a better playmate or even told Gary no, but that's how we learn. We need to make mistakes and learn from them to grow. Ash, why don't you tell me something positive about this memory instead of focusing on the negative? What is it about your younger self that tells you who you really are?"
Ash didn't answer her right away. He just stood there watching and listening to his past self. The boy had finished crying and now was having some ice cream with his mom and friends. How had he not noticed his mom and Professor Oak flirting when he was smaller? He really tried to see what Trina wanted him to see, but he couldn't. "I can't do it Trina. I really don't know what I'm supposed to ascertain."
"Don't force it Ash, it will come with time. Why don't we leave the past and try entering the future okay? I need you to combine your time abilities with the holographic memory to accomplish this. Try drawing on your premonition skills to assist you. Fix your mind on a specific point in the future. Try to sense it over the barrier with your powers. Once you've passed the barrier and our in the future use your holographic powers to walk through and analyze what you see. Are you doing that?" Trina demanded.
"I'm trying I really am, but this is hard. I feel resistance like something is pushing me away from discovering the future," Ash grunted, sweat pouring down his face. Screwing his eyes shut he poured all his power into completing the quest before him. He was reward for a few brief seconds before with a glimpse of his future self right before the backlash of power came rushing at him and Trina. "What the ah!"
A huge pillar of light shot into the sky startling all the Pokemon and alerting any human in the area that something was up. Brock and Dawn stopped in mid battle and gasped at the surge of power.
"What the heck? Brock you don't think Ash is hurt do you?"
"I don't know, but we better get the gang and head over there to see if there is anything we can do," Brock told her. Yelling for their Pokemon the two rushed off praying that everything was okay.
Trina was just starting to come to thanks to Leba licking her face. "Ugh, oh man I never want to experience something like that again. Thanks Leba I'm okay, but I better check on Ash."
"Leafa Leaf!" Leba bayed impatiently. She bit Trina's skirt and tried to drag her over to Ash. Glen bounded over to her and started to try and drag her over to Ash as well. "Glacieon Glacieon!"
"What has gotten into you two? I'm going as fast as I can! What has you two oh no you got to be kidding me!" Trina wailed just as Brock and Dawn rushed in with all the Pokemon.
"We saw the flash of light! Is everything okay?" Dawn called out. She stopped dead in her tracks when she saw what was lying on the ground. "No freaking way!"
"Trina, how could this have happened? I thought you were going on a vision quest not this!" Brock added. He groaned loudly and started muttering under his breath about how much trouble they were in.
Ash woke up with Esme and Jorgen looking at him concerned. "Man, I guess I pushed that too hard. I should have relaxed and let it come to me. Hey guys sorry if I worried you. Why are you all looking like you just swallowed a Wailord?"
Instead of answering him Pikachu pointed with his tail to Ash's right and left. When Ash looked at the indicated areas he felt like fainting again. On his right, with Vanessa pawing at him was his eight year old self. On his left, with Ember growling at him was his future self. He looked exactly like what Ash saw. Long pony tailed hair with a red and yellow hat, a black and blue shirt with black jeans, and soft shoes. The only strange thing about the twenty five year old was a scar across the right eye. Both were starting to regain conscience. This would be a nightmare.
"How is this even possible? I wasn't trying to bring my past and future to the life, I just wanted to view them. Try and discover what it is that makes me unique!" Ash moaned.
"It isn't your fault Ash. On some unconscious level you must have used your Heart powers to yank them out of their times. Still this is an opportunity that we shouldn't squander. We still can complete the quest and get them back to their times," Tina assured.
Before he could reply eight year old Ash or Ashy opened his eyes and looked around confused. "What's going on? Where am I? Who are you people?"
"Oh great please don't tell me that I messed up again! How dumb are you? I thought I had better control over my powers when I was sixteen. Instead I discover that I can't even complete a simple vision quest without using my powers irresponsibly. What do you have to say for yourself?" the older Ash or Ashton for clarification, demanded.
"Hey don't talk to him I mean you like that's it's rude!" Dawn snapped at Ashton. She glared at him, but lost some of her nerve as he glared at her. Instead she focused on Ashy who looked like he was on the verge of crying. "Shu its okay Ash, everything will be okay I promise."
"How do you know my name? Where's my mom? I want my mom!" The eight year old started bawling his eyes out causing everyone to cover their ears. No one seemed to know what to do. Ashton was glaring angrily, Ash didn't have a clue what to do, and the others were hesitant to interact with the boy. Suddenly Chimchar walked over and said hi.
Ashy stopped crying and wiped away his tears. He looked at the strange fire type Pokemon with awe in his eyes. "Wow I've never seen a Pokemon like you before! Wow I've never seen so many different kinds of Pokemon before! You want to play?"
Chimchar looked at Ash, "Should we play with him? I mean we won't use our powers on him. We could keep an eye on to him until you figure out what to do."
Ash knelt next down to his eight year old self smiling. "Hey, that Pokemon is Chimchar and he and the rest of the gang want to play with you. You think you could stay out of trouble while Brock, Dawn, Trina and I figure out how to get you home Ashy?"
"Sure! I promise to stay out of trouble! Come on let's play tag. You're it!" Ashy laughed, tapping Chimchar on the shoulder surprising the little Pokemon. He took off running soon followed by the rest of the family who were eager to play.
"Well that takes care of him. I must admit you look cute as little kid. If were lucky he won't use his powers unintentionally. That could really mess up the timeline," Trina stated.
"So how do we send little you and big you back to their times?" Dawn questioned.
"I think the question is why they were brought here in the first place. I mean Trina's right. Your vision quest was going fine and then suddenly this happens. There has to be a reason," Brock said.
"Maybe, but I can't figure out their purpose. I mean I was supposed to try and figure out who I really am. Hey do you remember how this little dilemma was solved?"
Ashton, who had been standing a little ways off, looked at the quartet with mixed emotions. "I'm not going to answer that or any other questions. You pulled me out my time and I'm not going to risk changing our past. All I say is my vision quest ended differently then this. Figure out your plan fast because if he and I stay here to long things might end badly. If you need me, which I highly recommend you don't, I'll be over there meditating." With that Ashton turned and stalked over to a tree and sat down.
"I can't believe what a jerk I've become. I mean what's with him? He has the power to fix this, but he won't. Nice to know my future self is so reliable," Ash muttered sarcastically.
"Hey he's not a jerk, he's just being responsible. No one should know their future. I mean all you wanted to see on your vision quest is if you healed not what you became."
"Dawn's right Ash you can't worry about the future. Right now in the present we have a crisis to solve. Why don't you get to know your past self a bit more and we'll figure out how fix this okay?"
"Just be careful what you say too little Ashy. Any interactions can have dire consequences that we wouldn't be aware of until it's to late."
Ash walked over to where the Pokemon were playing pile on with Ash. He smiled at how silly Ashy was, tickling Pokemon and rolling around with them. Gligar seem to enjoy making faces and causing the kid to laugh so hard he hiccupped.
"Hey everyone how are you guys doing? You keep this rascal entertained?"
"You bet! I never knew you could be such a barrel of laughs!" Staravia chirped.
"I can't believe how uncoordinated you were as kid! Ashy keeps tripping over his own feet!" Buiezel cackled.
"Hey that's insulting. So Ashy how do you like my Pokemon?"
"There great! There nothing like the Pokemon I get to play with sometimes at Professor Oaks preserve. He's the best professor ever and he's really nice to my mom and me! You see I don't have many friends because I don't have a dad. So whenever I go to play with Gary I sneak away to see the Pokemon. There so cool and interesting and love being friends with me. What are all these Pokemon called?"
"Um those three over there are Sudwooda, Crogunk, and Happiney. There Brock's Pokemon and he's a breeder. Those four are Ampipom, Buneray, Pachrishu, and Piplup. They belong to Dawn and she's a coordinator. You probably recognize some of those over there. Those six are Jolteon, Vapereon, Flairion, Leafeon, Glacieon, and lastly Espeon. They all belong to Trina, she's my bodyguard. The remainders belongs to me and are a Gligar, Chimchar, Buiezel, Turtwig, Staravia, and this guy is my best buddy Pikachu. I'm a trainer trying to become a Pokemon Master."
"Wow, I want to be a Pokemon Master too! Once I'm a Master I'll never run out of friends!"
"What do you mean by that? I mean you said that Gary was your friend, but you preferred to hang out with the Pokemon at the preserve. Don't you have other friends?"
"Not really, like I said no one really wants to know me. The Pokemon don't judge you based on your family. They just love to play and hang out. I found some wild Bellsprout to hang out with although I love hanging out with the electric Pokemon. I gave this cute Pikachu a friendship bracelet I made. The real reason I want to be a Pokemon Master is so I can always have friends to have fun with and be loved by. Isn't it that way with you?" Ashy questioned.
"Yeah it is or was. A couple weeks ago I was hurt really bad by some people and I in turn nearly hurt my friends. I guess I haven't forgiven myself. But you reminded me about something I forget. I need to have fun and let myself love others. Thanks Ashy. You want to play some more with my Pokemon?" Ash asked his younger self. The little guy nodded and soon all the Pokemon save Pikachu were playing with the boy. After making sure things were okay Ash headed off to talk to his future self.
When he got there Ashton was calmly surveying the game, a faint smile played on his face. "We were cute when we were young weren't we?"
"Yeah, back then all we cared about was making friends and having fun. There weren't any expectations, responsibility, or traumas to deal with. Makes one wonder if it can be that way again doesn't it?"
"If you're trying to get me to spill about the future forget it. I remember being you trying to do a vision quest. I thought if I could see what I was missing from my past and glimpse at the future I heal."
"Did it? Oh come on why can't you tell me why you're here? Something happens to me in the next nine years that makes me act like a jerk. I need to know if there's something I can do to prevent!"
"Ash, you can't act so desperate. I'm sure that he'll tell you what you want if you ask nicely," Pikachu whispered. He noticed Ashton looking at him sadly shaking his head. "What? What is it buddy?"
"Pikachu, I wish I could tell you old buddy what's up, but I can't. Look Trina and the others will have found a solution to our little problem. Go talk to them and fetch me when you're ready."
Trina and the others looked up to see an angry Ash storming over to him muttering. Sighing she looked at him curiously. "Let me guess your future self is just as stubborn as you are now. Well nice to know some things never change."
"I just want to know why I brought them here! I mean this entire vision quest has gotten out of hand and all I have to show for it is a lesson in fun!" Ash snarled.
"Fun? What are you talking about Ash? Did your past self remind you of something?" Dawn asked. She gazed over to the kid who was now exploring the woods under the watchful eye of his companions. "You do seem to have a lot of energy for a little kid."
"I sure did. I didn't really have a lot of friends growing up. I mean there was Gary sometimes and Professor Oak, but mostly Mom and me. It got lonely so I use to sneak out and play with the Pokemon at the preserve. I almost forgot how I gave some of them these friendship bracelets I made at school."
"Sounds like your younger self is reminding you about why you wanted to be a Pokemon Master in the first place," Brock commented.
"Yeah, I guess he did. Now if I could only figure out my future self I am prepared to send them back. Unless you have a solution to that one Trina?"
"You just need to go in a meditative state and access your memories again. Once you reach your focal point you can tap into your time abilities and send them back. I recommend wiping Ashy's mind beforehand so he doesn't start blabbing about the future."
"Sounds like a plan. Let's hope I can wrangle Ashy away from the Pokemon. Hey where'd he go?" Just then a loud scream pierced the air. All of four of them froze for several seconds. They looked at each and without a word took off into the forest towards the source of the screams. None of them noticed they had a tag along following them.
Meanwhile Team Rocket was trying to restrain the thrashing eight year old inside their Roboroustler 4000. They had been all set to snatch Pikachu when they saw the twerp's younger self in the woods exploring. It was too good of an opportunity to pass up so they grabbed. They were starting to regret their choice.
"Let me go! Let me go this instant you ugly people! I want my mom!" Ashy screeched.
"Ahh can it twerp or I'll feed you to Serviper! James, Meowth do something! This kid is driving me insane!" Jessie growled giving both of them a death glare. It was nearly impossible to run the giant robot when you had an eight year old kicking your chair.
"I'm trying to but he's squirming too much! Man I never had to put up with this when I was growing up! Oh he bit me!" James yelped.
"Okay that it's kid you're asking for it! Here's a taste of my Iron Tail! Heyah!" Meowth said, bringing his tail down hard on Ashy's head stunning the boy. Quickly Serviper used Wrap and Wobbafett muzzled the boy. "There you want to act like a Pokemon, you get treated like one. Now all we have to do is wait for the twerps and make the exchange. Then we'll be rolling in dough forever!"
"Team Rocket! What do you think your doing?" Ash demanded as the quartet emerged from the woods. They took one look t the monstrosity and spotted little Ashy out cold in the control room. ''Give us back Ashy now!"
"Tough luck twerp! The only way you're getting this troublemaker back is if you fork over Pikachu. What do you say?"
"Like that's ever going to happen! I thought you three were starting to change! You helped us out a lot and now you're pulling stupid stunts like this! How cruel can you be?" Dawn asked.
"Hey when you need the dough you'll resort to anything to get by. So if you're not going to hand over Pikachu, we'll just take him by force!" Jessie exclaimed, as she slammed a button which sent out a robotic arm to grab Pikachu.
Ash used his telekinesis to rip the arm off the robot and send it flying. Locking his eyes on Ashy he tried to teleport him out, but couldn't because of the composition of the robot. Determined to save his younger self he fired off a Shockwave hoping to short circuit the robot, but that didn't work either. "Doesn't anything work on that thing?"
"Don't give up Ash; we'll bust that robot yet! Happiney use Secret Power, Crogunk use Brick Break and Sudowooda use Double Edge!" Brock commanded, as he used his super strength to hurl a boulder at the robot.
None of the attacks had any effect and Team Rocket was laughing with glee. They decided to scoop up the attacking Pokemon and add them to their booty. This was turning into a profitable day indeed.
"Just think about the promotion were going to get once we hand this bunch over to the boss!" Jessie exclaimed.
"Yeah all those twerps Pokemon are the crème of the crop. I bet the boss can think of hundreds of ways to use them," James added, as he netted the rest of the Pokemon.
"Who knows what could happen. Now that we have their entire family plus the kid you think they're ready to give up Pikachu?" Meowth wondered.
Down below Trina was firing off round after round of Magical Leaf with no effect. Nearby Dawn was trying to use Confusion with the same result. "This isn't working! Nothing we do penetrate that shell! I'm out of ideas."
"We can't just give up and hand over Pikachu! There has to be a way to win there just has to!" Ash shouted. Suddenly from behind him the most powerful Thunderbolt ever struck the machine electrocuting those inside except Ashy and freeing the Pokemon. "Whoa who did that?"
"I did. I couldn't just sit by and do nothing. You asked me why I was brought here, what you had to learn about yourself. Well what you need to learn is how to find the good in others no matter what. Just watch and you'll see for yourself," Ashton said calmly. He strolled over to where the robot was still sparking and made eye contact with the occupants.
"So James, Jessie, and even Meowth you guys are still members of Team Rocket. I thought you three gave that up years ago. I mean between being parents to Jamie and Astin, not to mention being part of my entourage you guys hardly have anytime to track down past associates and jail them."
"Us, loving parents? You got to be kidding me!"
"That's right we'll always be members of Team Rocket no matter what!"
"Your just trying to trick us aren't you?'
"Fine, don't believe a word I say. It doesn't change the fact your good guys or all the good your done. I know you're tired of this existence so I'm going to give you a nudge in the right direction. Let me show you my team. Come on out Snorlax," Ashton shouted. In a brilliant flash of light Ashton's Snorlax appeared. It was larger than Ash's currently was and you could still see the scar where it had been gutted. The behemoth let out a massive growl showing he was ready for battle.
"Snorlax use Ice Punch followed up by Focus Punch," Ashton instructed. Snorlax nodded and zipped over moving much faster then expected. One hand lit up with Ice Punch while the other was a Focus Punch. Team Rocket could only scream as their robots shell was pulverized by the attacks.
"Is he insane?"
"What does he think he's doing? He could kill his younger self!"
"Maybe he's a kamikaze!"
"Snorlax return! Meganium and Crawdawt your up! Crawdawt use Dark Pulse, Meganium use Mega Drain!"
"Crawdawt!" Crawdawt's Dark Pulse struck the already weakened shell causing it to buckle and bend.
"Meganium!" Meganium's Mega Drain zapped the last of the robots power causing it to come crashing down hard. She let out a cheer of triumph as Ashton recalled them.
"Time for you two to rest up. I hope you like my next two Pokemon friends. Ones the daughter of a former Pokemon of mine and the other is an old friend. Aipom, Mew you're up!"
"Did he say Mew?" Ash stuttered.
"He did and look who else he has," Brock pointed out.
"That's the daughter of my Ampipom!" Dawn shrieked.
"I was wondering how Ampipom was going to thank Ash for such a wonderful life. Giving up your first born certainly seems like a good boon," Trina said happily.
"Aipom use your rainbow Swift just like your mother taught you! Mew you know what to do next!"
"Aipom pom!" Aipom squealed happily. Spinning around like a top she released a swirl of Swift stars that merged together into a rainbow. With a powerful Focus Punch she sent it careening into the glass plate that separated Team Rocket from the rest of the group. It shattered the glass bouncing off the walls freeing little Ashy.
"Mew!" the legendary Pokemon glowed a soft blue as she teleported the little boy into the arms of Ash. Giggling, she teleported Team Rocket out the wreckage so Ashton could finish the job.
"I'm all for second chances and I'm going to set you three on the right path. I promise this won't hurt a bit," Ashton promised as his eyes became pure white. A beautiful white light surrounded the three thieves filling them with hope and goodness. As they were trying to sort out what happened Ashton released his last Pokemon. A Pikachu with a thunderbolt across his chest. "I know you all wanted to see Pikachu, but he's home resting. Hope you like his son Pikaro. Pikaro, send them blasting off with a Thunderbolt!"
"Pikachu!" Pikaro shouted releasing a powerful Thunderbolt worthy of his sire. The blast sent Team Rocket blasting off for hopefully the last time. "Pika, Pika!"
"Yeah you did well Pikaro. Your daddy is very proud of you. Come on lets see how the young ones like the show. Impressive right?"
"You're truly a brilliant trainer and from that Thunderbolt we saw earlier you've become a great Guardian. What I'm most proud of is your mastery of the Heart powers. You do your sensei proud," Trina told him and the others agreed.
"I couldn't have become who I am today without your help Trina. I owe you more then you'll ever know. Give Ashy to me I'll wipe his memories. I hope this little quest has taught you something Ash."
"It has. I remember I need to have fun and make friends all the time. I also have to give people a chance to change. That's who I really am, a person of good integrity and morals. Thanks for helping me discover that."
"You're welcome Ash. Now send us back," Ashton told him. Little Ashy was mumbling good byes as his memories were erased. Both of them smiled as Ash used his powers to return them to their proper places in time.
"Well that was exciting to say the least!" Brock said.
"Yeah, and I can't wait to see the future happen!" Dawn exclaimed.
"Then what are we waiting for? Let's go make it happen," Trina said.
"Yeah, but for now the future can wait. I just want to live in the moment and get my Hearthome City badge!" Ash shouted. Laughing the four friends recalled their Pokemon and set off on more adventures.