The One That Belongs

Drastic Measures

He dialed Professor Oak's number and put the phone to his ear. "Hey Professor Oak! What's up?" he asked cheerfully.

"Ash," Professor Oak said quietly, "I've got some awful news to tell you,"

Ash tensed. "What do you mean Professor?" he asked curiously, "What's wrong?"

"Its actually about your mom..." Professor Oak began. Panic caught in Ash's throat. "WHAT? What happened to my mom?" he asked frantically, his heart pounding.

He heard a sad sigh on the other end. The suspense was killing him. "WHAT?" he demanded again, his brown eyes filled with worry.

"Well, you see, there was a car accident...and she had to go to the hospital..." Professor explained, but was cut short when Ash interrupted.

"HOSPITAL?" he shrieked, "She's in the HOSPITAL? I'm coming to Pallet Town right now!" he shouted, his face flushed. "Ash, wait.." Professor Oak said, but Ash slammed his phone on the table, hanging up.

His four friends watched him with wide eyes as he squeezed his eyes shut in concern. "She'll be fine," he whispered to himself. He chuckled despite the situation. Afterall, Its my mom we're talking about here.

"Ash, what happened?" Brock asked. Ash shook his head, putting on his hat, and shoved his hands in his pocket. "I'm going to Pallet Town," he declared.

"WHAT?" Misty, Brock, May, and Dawn shouted. Ash shrugged and nodded.

"That's too far!" May pointed out, "Besides, this is supposed to be your break. You don't want to waste it walking all the way to Pallet," she scolded. "It'll take at least a week or two,"

Ash scowled at her. "Oh yeah? Then none of you need to come, Ok? I'll go by myself!" he snapped, turning around and stomping out of the dorm room.

After a minute, Misty stood up, her aquamarine eyes shimmering with worry. "I'm going with him," she said decided, grabbing her bag.

"Really?" Brock asked surprised. Misty nodded, picking up Ash's backpack as well. "He needs me...I mean...c'mon, he already left without his backpack," she sighed, rolling her eyes, "Forgetful boy,"

She jogged out of the room to catch up with Ash. Brock shrugged. "Well...actually...if you guys are going to go to Pallet...I think I'll split way and visit Erica for a bit..." he pondered, "If you guys don't mind,"

"Nope, I don't mind," May nodded, and Dawn agreed as well. Hmmm...with Brock gone...It'll be easier to get more alone time with my Ashy since he won't be hanging out with Brock in his free time...hehehe...

Dawn straightened her hair and cleared her throat. "I'm definitely going...Misty thinks Ash needs her...but truly, he needs me," she scoffed, swinging her yellow bag over her shoulder and teetering after Brock, who was going to the walk with them for half the time, and than split up so he could reach Erica.

May shrugged. "Yeah, I'll come as well," she murmered, trailing after the group.

Ash led the way, with Misty right beside him. "Ash, what's wrong? What happened to your mom?" she asked concerned, taking his hand.

He didn't answer, and instead pushed his hat down further.

She squeezed his hand comfortingly, and Ash gave her a small, wavery smile.

If anyone could comfort him right now, it would have to be Misty. "There was a car accident...and she's apparantly in the hospital," he muttered.

Misty looked at him in surprise. "Oh Ash, I'm sure she'll be fine!" she insisted, and Ash nodded. "Mist, she just has to be fine, she just has to!" he said wearily.

"Ash, aren't you forgetting something!" May hollored from behind them. Ash and Misty turned around to see Dawn, May, and Brock running up to them.

"You guys are coming afterall!" Ash said happily, relieved. May nodded. "But your forgetting something!" she persisted.

"No I'm not," Ash rolled his eyes, "Ya know I don't always forget something,"

Dawn crossed her arms. "Oh yeah, so I suppose you can tell me where Pikachu and your other pokemon are right now,"

Ash sweatdropped. "Oops, hehe...still in the pokemon center," he admitted. Misty smacked her head in frustration. "Ugh! Oh yeah, and you also forgot your backpack, which I was nice enough to bring!" she scolded, shoving the backpack into his arms.

"Brock..." Ash made a puppy dog face, "Could you head over to the pokemon center and get my pokemon," he pleaded hopefully. Brock sighed. "Fine," he grumbled, heading out of the hotel.

"Your so mean!" Misty exclaimed, "Making Brock do all your work!"

"Hey!" Ash cried, "It was his idea in the first place not to let me keep my pokemon with me!" he folded his arms across his chest defiantly. Misty shook her head, rolling her eyes. "Don't make excuses Ketchum,"

Ash frowned. "Its not an excuse!" he stopped his foot on the ground.

"Is too!" Misty stood her ground.

Ash's lips curved into a smile. "Is not!"

Misty bit back a grin. Just like old times, she thought. "Is too!"

"Is not!"

"Is too!"

"Is not!"

"Is too!"

"Is not!"

"Is too!"

"Is not!"

"SHUT UP!" Dawn shouted. Ash and Misty both froze, turning over to face Dawn, who looked annoyed. "Seriously, stop fighting," she mumbled.

"If we stopped fighting..." Ash said innocently..."Then we wouldn't be Ash and Misty,"

Misty nodded to confirm that.

Dawn looked up, staring right at Ash. "So what? Who cares that you wouldn't be Ash and Misty? Huh? What about Ash and Dawn? Huh?" She challenged, fear in the pit of her stomach. Ash drew back slightly, a confused expression on his face. "Um...Dawn...are you feeling okay?" he asked, squinting at her.

Dawn sighed. "Yes, I'm feeling fine," He's hopeless she thought.

Misty glanced at May. "Hey May, are you okay? You've been awfully quiet," she asked kindly. Ash turned to May as well. "Yeah, you've been really quiet!"

"That's what I just said!" Misty stuck out her tongue. Ash stuck his tongue out back. "So what? I was agreeing with you for your information! You should be glad!" he exclaimed.

Misty smirked. "Oh yes, I should feel glad that the great Ash Ketchum agrees with my opinion," she said sarcastically, "I'd rather have a fly agree with me then you,"

Ash pouted. "I am much more important then some fly!" he insisted. Misty pondered this. "Yeah," she shrugged. Ash looked pleased. "Maybe," Misty changed her mind, watching as Ash's face fell.

She put a hand on May's shoulder. "Is everything OK?" she asked softly. May looked up at her, looking uncomfortable. "Actually, everything's fine, but...I kinda have something to tell you guys..." she murmered.

"What is it?" Ash asked. May shifted. "Um...well...I was wondering...do I have to stay with you guys anymore?" she asked. Then she mentally smacked herself. How could she come out and say it so rudely?

Ash looked hurt. "Why? You don't want to stay with us anymore?" he asked sadly. May shook her head quickly. "Its not that!" she said, "Its just, I kinda want to visit one of my other friends..."

Misty cocked her head. "Who may that be?" she asked gently. May blushed. "Um...w-well...D-drew..." she stammered. Ash's face lit up. "Your boyfriend Drew! Sure May, we don't mind!" he exclaimed. May turned even more red. "He's not my boyfriend! I just want to talk to him!"

Ash cocked his head. "Oh well, okay...whatever you say," he shrugged, believing her. Misty raised an eyebrow at May's flushed face. "Do you like him?" she whispered. May squirmed. "Yes, OK, but don't tell Ash," she hissed, "He's a close friend and all, but Ash often accidentally spills secrets,"

Misty laughed. "Tell me about it," she grinned. May smiled back.

"So...you don't like Ash anymore?" Misty asked. May frowned slightly. "I don't think so...I think it was just a silly crush..." she admitted. "Besides, you and Ash are made for each other,"

"Yeah!" Misty exclaimed happily.

"What are you guys talking about?" Ash asked, as he looked up from his pokenav.

"Nothing!" both girls cried simaltenously. Ash gave them a quizzical look, then shrugged. "Whatever,"

"Sooo..." Misty said quietly to May, "I guess its just me and Dawn now, huh?"

"What was that?" Dawn interrupted, " I heard my name!"

Misty and May whipped around. They'd almost forgotten she was even here.

"Nothing!" they both cried in unison again.

Author's Notes

Sorry for the late chapter. Been busy, which is why this chapter is sorta rush and their isn't much action, but I still hope you enjoy it! THANKS FOR ALL THE REVIEWS. CONTINUE REVIEWING PLEASE! :)