Chapter 25

As soon as his mom got off the stage, he rushed over to her.

"Ash!" She cried happily as she went to go hug him as soon as she saw him. However due to the height difference with her being a good deal taller, he found his head nestling directly into her large bosom.

However neither of them really cared at the moment as she only hugged him tighter, happy to finally be reunited.

When he finally did break from the hug, there were tears in her eyes and he was pretty sure there was one or two himself.

"You're all grown up now," She commented as she looked him up and down.

"It was only for a few months," He pointed out, "I haven't changed that much, but you...you're a Charizard now."

"An incredibly sexy Charizard," Giselle observed, practically drooling as she sized up Delia, "you didn't tell me that your mom was the hottest Milf on the planet."

Delia blushed before absently twirling about a bit and saying, "I just recently evolved, I'm still kind of getting used to this body."

She clearly was not used to quite this much attention, especially after having just gotten on stage and wowed several thousand people and Pokemon. However...he was forced to admit she probably deserved it.

"I'd be happy to help you with it," Giselle offered hopefully.

"Stop trying to hit on my mom Giselle," Ash argued.

"No, I think she can't really be blamed in this instance," Misty observed, "Delia you're really hot, probably win this whole competition I wouldn't be surprised, especially after that dramatic entrance you had."

"How exactly did you get here anyway?" Ash asked.

Delia then explained, "it's kind of a long story, but I had a legendary get me here. Next thing you know I'm appearing directly on stage in front of several thousand people and now part of a beauty contest. Admittedly I've always wanted to be a model anyway."

"You'll need a modeling agent then," Giselle offered eagerly, "I'd be happy to-"

"Give it a rest Giselle," Misty answered before going to hug Delia and welcome her back herself.

"I see I'm not the only one to go through some major changes," Delia observed as she looked over Misty's evolved body.

"She wouldn't be the last either," Ash informed her, "there is plenty to get caught up on."

At that, they decided to leave the pageant as there were still plenty more entrants to go through and they saw no reason to see each of them. Besides all of them were eager to talk with Delia. They headed out and over to their camp in the middle of the woods.

As they did so, they told Delia about all their adventures with her listening politely.

Once back to camp, he released his other Pokemon so they too could reacquaint themselves with her.

Frankly it was a moment he was feeling particularly impressed with himself and his amazing Pokemon.

With the addition of Delia, he now had the evolved forms of all 3 Kanto Starters: a Blastoise, a Venusaur, and now a Charizard. Add to that a really strong Pikachu, a soon to be Pidgeot, a Fire Dragonair, a medically trained healer Chansey, and...a small, scrappy, and clearly abused Riolu. In the events of getting Delia back, he'd nearly forgotten about Rikey again.

He glanced over to her, noting that she was currently keeping a wide distance from herself and the rest of them as she seemed to be scanning with both her eyes and aura for any possible dangers.

Going over to her, he said, "anything I can do for you to help you feel more welcome?"

Instead of answering his question, she merely noted, "you've got a lot stronger Pokemon than you appear to have, you don't flaunt it at all, very different than what I'm used to."

"What are you used to?" He asked.

She sighed, merely shaking her head before admitting, "nothing like this."

It was clear to him she wasn't ready to really open up to him even though he could definitely tell she had had a hard life.

"Hopefully it will be a change for the better," He suggested.

"We'll see," Rikey answered before looking away.

At that, he went to go join back in with the others. As soon as he did so however, Jessie announced, "I want to battle Delia Ash."

There was a hard blazing look in Jessie's eye. She seemed to be actually excited to have Delia as an opponent, someone strong and also a fire type.

Similarly Delia also looked excited as he gave his consent for them to do battle.

They lined up facing each other before with simultaneous roars from each of them, they flew at each other...literally flew. There was then a blaze of fire and light as they clashed as Jessie tried her usual tactic of wrapping her tail around her opponent to Immobilize them, but Delia was too quick as she flew out of range and then let fire encircle her entire body before launching it directly at Jessie.

"What move is that?" He asked curiously.

Delia smiled before admitting, "you aren't the only one to have had adventures Ash. This is my Sacred Fire."

My gosh, it was absolutely breathtaking watching her use that attack he thought, the fire seemed to come from deep within and then launch at Jessie, it was an incredibly powerful attack as well. Also as it encircled her, he couldn't help but notice just how beautiful it made her already beautiful body look.

That was something he couldn't deny. She was a very, very attractive woman. He could suddenly see why Charizards were so well liked by the populace and Delia actually exceeded the attractiveness of the average Charizard. Perfect skin, perfect breasts, a somewhat thin but very curvy figure, gorgeous red hair...she really could be a model.

He tried to shake himself a bit, he was actually looking at her a bit too much for a son to be looking at his mother, and he was glad he did as the battle took a surprising turn as the two combatants continued to duke it out.

Delia used Slash and Jessie countered with Slam, but to his surprise Delia managed to evade it and instead grab Jessie's tail and attempt to swing her body down onto the ground.

In that split second he figured it would be a lost cause, Jessie's tail wasn't all that wide, but it was an awful lot of tail and then there was the weight of the rest of her body. Simply put, Jessie was a heavyweight, but he'd never tell her that.

While showing immense strain, Delia managed to somehow hoist and then drop Jessie right onto the ground before dropping down herself right on top of her, almost wrestling style.

Jessie however recovered quickly as she tried to once again wrap her tail around Delia, this time successfully. Delia, instead of trying to break free, merely used another Sacred Fire attack, with fire surrounding both her and Jessie's tail, which was burned by it.

Still neither side was willing to give up as they both blazed forth.

"I think I'm doubly in love," Giselle commented as she watched as the fire created from both combatants danced in her eyes.

Both of them probably could have battled for quite a long time, but then Delia suddenly got a guilty look in her eyes before declaring, "we'll have to finish this later."

At that, she abruptly walked away and deeper into the woods.

He decided to go after her himself as they both stopped a short distance away from the others.

"What was that all about?" He asked her.

She merely shrugged and admitted, "there is something I need to tell you."

He was then reminded he needed to tell her something as well as he admitted, "there's something you need to know too. I'm currently now with not only Pikachu, but also Misty, Pidgey, and Ivy, and Lugia is now with Joy."

"Apparently I did miss a lot," Delia observed even though she was smiling, "I mean not that I'm surprised, I always knew you'd be a real Cassanova."

"Apparently so are you now," He reminded her teasingly.

She groaned before explaining, "I'm sorry, I'm just not really into anyone. Really I think the only person I could ever love is you."

"Well of course you love me," Ash answered, "you're my mom."

At that however a flash of guilt hit her face as she finally admitted solemnly, "that's what I need to tell you, something that I realized that you need to know. I'm not really your mother."

"What?" He asked in surprise, his eyes widening, "how can you not be-?"

"It's a long story," She interrupted him, "however I feel you are ready to hear it."

She recounted to him the story about how she had found him. It totally took him by surprise, but it also caused him to be curious about something else. He wasn't exactly from this world anyway, technically the Delia of this world had never been his mom, but this only really took away the only family member he had ever had. It also caused him to wonder if a similar occurrence had happened back in his own world. He had a strong feeling it was at least very similar.

"So now you know," Delia told him, "I just want you to know however that even if I'm not your mother, I still love you...just not as your mother."

"Then who are you to me?" He asked, trying to understand this dynamic.

She shrugged before saying, "I don't know. Just your Pokemon I guess."

"I'd say you're more than that," Ash countered, "I mean you raised me and-"

"That's just it, I didn't technically raise you either, at least not you you," Delia pointed out, "I already technically lost my Ash."

Another strong feeling overwhelmed him as he told her, "I don't think you entirely lost him, but you did get me instead."

"I did get you instead, but I'm not angry either, I know it isn't your fault," Delia responded, "however I will admit that I'd never feel the same way about my Ash as I realized I feel about you. I nearly died mere hours ago and the only thing that gave me the strength to continue on was you. You're so brave, and kind, and smart, and handsome, and...I realized how I really feel."

With that to his complete shock, she leaned in and kissed him on the lips. Her lips were warm and firm, but he still did not kiss her back.

When she broke apart, he told her, "I'm sorry I just can't..."

"It's okay," Delia told him, "I know you probably don't feel the same way but...I wanted you to know."

He was able to nod as she then walked away, leaving him alone with his thoughts.

Well this was awkward he thought. Understatement of the year though. So apparently the woman he had thought was his mom wasn't. Who was also now an insatiably beautiful Charizard and his Pokemon...and was now saying she loved him and not as simply a mother.

He really needed to something to get his mind off the whole thing, and unfortunately he got just that.

"Dnager," Rikey observed as she then pointed in the direction of the city they had just been in.

However the city could no longer be seen, instead a dark blackness now surrounded it so he could see nothing. No buildings, no crowds, nothing.

He did however recognize that blackness.

"Darkrai," He announced, much to his Pokemon's worry.

Team Rocket was here and he had one huge guess why: with lots of strong, powerful, and beautiful Pokemon all in just one area it would be an irresistible target to them.

"Let's go beat them up," Pikachu suggested enthusiastically, her cheeks already emitting sparks.

"We can't," Ivy admitted sadly but rationally, "none of us have the power to combat something like that."

"I can," Lugia suggested bravely, "I'm a legendary, I'll go fight."

While he admired both Lugia and Pikachu's optimisim and bravery, just having one legendary who had only just barely re-learned even how to attack and with no memory of any others it would be near impossible. Even with all of her memories Lugia would likely have a tough time of it.

They needed Celebi or some other legendary, but there simply wasn't any around.

"What do we do?" Giselle asked, looking terrified.

Frankly he had no answers himself but then Rikey surprisingly said, "we kill them."

She held up a long knife, the silvery blade glistening in the sun as a dark gleam crossed her eyes. At that moment, he suddenly felt somewhat afraid of her...and he could see why others might as well.

"Kill-kill them?" Misty stuttered out, unable to believe what she was hearing, "you don't kill Pokemon-or-or anyone."

It was totally taboo to kill another human or Pokemon, only the worst of villains would do such a thing...yet it occurred to him that Rikey had probably had to do this often, just for her own survival.

"If it is the only way to stop them you should," Rikey insisted, "if it is either them or me I'm choosing me."

"Darkrai may be evil but he is still a legendary, and killing a legendary carries with it a powerful curse," Ivy said, "or so I've read. Besides, you can never truly kill one as they will only merely be reborn somewhere else. I also doubt you could manage to kill him with a mere knife."

Lugia then surprisingly had an odd look in her eye and warned, "do not try to go against Darkrai. He is beyond any of you. If you go, you will end up worse than dead."

He was aware Lugia was Psychic and this seemed to be another manifestation of her sometimes using said powers.

"We can't just do nothing!" Misty complained, "if all of us go together maybe we can-"

"No," Ash insisted, "I think Lugia is right. I will not risk any kind of curse, accident, or injury to befall any of you, especially with Lugia's warning."

It hurt him to do so and leave the town at Darkrai's mercy, his first duty was in protecting his Pokemon.

"Ash, that doesn't apply to you," Lugia then told him, "if just you and I go, we will be victorious."

"What!" Pikachu exclaimed indignantly, "and leave me behind? I'd never let Ash face any danger without me."

"It is the only way," Lugia said solemnly.

At that, whatever kind of power her mind was tapped into seemed to break down as she became much more the absent minded Lugia she normally was.

"I'm bored, let's go beat up Darkrai!" Lugia proclaimed.

He couldn't resist smiling at that as he mulled things over. Crazily enough, he actually trusted Lugia. Somehow he knew she was right...and everything would be okay.

"All right, I'll go," Ash finally announced, ignoring the screams of protest from his Pokemon.

"Please don't go either of you," Joy begged as she placed a kiss on Lugia's lips, "I don't want to lose you."

"I don't want to lose you either," Lugia admitted, "that's why I'm doing it so that won't happen. You're my beautiful girlfriend, I'm supposed to protect you, or at least I think that's what I'm supposed to do."

Lugia then decided to assume her full size before allowing him to get onto her back. She lifted off into the air and headed towards the city.

It ended up not taking very long to get there, especially considering how fast Lugia was flying. As they began to get close to the dark cloud bubble, he however began to grow nervous and start to think that perhaps his decision was a bit rash.

Well it was too late now he thought as they entered it. As soon as they did, he found himself surrounded by blackness, not even able to see a hand in front of his face.

Lugia was quick to then land before he slipped off her back to look around at well...nothing.

"Good thing I'm not scared of the dark," Lugia said, still able to think positively, "at least I don't think I'm scared of the dark."

However while he wasn't scared of the dark either, the images he began to see did frighten him. They were images of his Pokemon, either dead or badly hurt. If they were still alive, they called out to him in obvious pain. All around them, the world was totally destroyed and ruined, evidence of him having failed to save it. Darkrai clearly knew what his greatest fears were.

Speaking of which: there was a cold laugh that came from right in front of him.

"So you have returned," He observed, "Ash Ketchum, now without Celebi to save you."

"He's still got me," Lugia pointed out.

"Yes he does, but I know all about you Lugia and your memory loss, you might have used to be stronger than me, but right now you are weak and powerless against a being as great as I. Your only hope now is to join me and hope that we offer you mercy."

"I'll pass," Lugia said casually.

"I know your greatest fear Lugia," Darkrai continued, "you fear being alone and unloved again. What will happen when I take your beloved trainer from you. Oh, that's right, he's not really your trainer is he."

He couldn't actually see Lugia's face, but he could sense her disappointment at that. It caused him to only feel guilty as well.

"Of course you're probably better off without him as a trainer," Darkrai then stated dismissively, still trying to get to Lugia, "and better off without that chubby girlfriend of yours as well. I'll be dealing with her later. Let's face it Lugia you were always destined to be alone and miserable."

"That's not true!" Lugia argued as she let loose an Aeroblast.

Darkrai merely laughed and said, "your pathetic attempts are no match for me Lugia, you'll never be-"

Lugia let out a couple of Aeroblasts in response, vainly trying to hit Darkrai.

"Don't let him get to you Lugia," He warned her.

"No, he's right," Lugia said miserably, "I'll always be alone and be a bother to everyone and you'll never have me as your Pokemon."

That struck him just how awful she was apparently feeling...and that he could alleviate that to some extent. Lugia clearly wanted to be his Pokemon, she'd already told him as much, but he'd held back because she didn't really have her memories and didn't know exactly what she was getting into and he would be taking advantage of her. However he just might be hurting her more doing what he was doing.

Besides, he could sense that Darkrai was wearing her down while she continued to expend useless energy. She simply couldn't defeat him alone, but if she was his Pokemon then maybe...

That was one of the powers of being a human trainer, he realized. He helped strengthen his Pokemon and he knew he could do the same for Lugia.

Finally he asked her, "do you think if you had your memories you would still want to be my Pokemon?"

"Yes," Lugia replied without hesitation.

That was good enough for him as he managed to locate and pull out his one ultra ball that he had on him. Hopefully it would be strong enough to contain Lugia...at least as long as she allowed herself to be captured.

"Then...I want you to be my Pokemon if you'll have me as your trainer," He told her, before opening up the ultra ball to let Lugia inside.

The ball shook in his hands as the ball seemed to be fighting to contain and capture Lugia.

Come on, he thought, please work.

Finally, there was a click and to his delight, he opened up the ball again to let Lugia out.

"I'm your Pokemon now!" Lugia said happily.

"Congratulations," He told her.

She managed to find him and grab him, pulling him into her chest for a big hug. He couldn't really see anything, but he could definitely feel his entire body now inside her cleavage. Talk about boob heaven, he thought.

"I hate to break up this little new Pokemon love thing, but need I remind you that you are just as helpless as you were before?" Darkrai pointed out.

"I think you don't fully realize the power of a trainer," Ash declared.

Frankly he didn't fully realize it himself, but he still felt he understood it better than Darkrai.

"Let's do it, my Pokemon," He told her.

"All right, my trainer," Lugia said proudly as she lifted him up and put him onto her back again before launching into the sky.

Darkrai appeared to follow them up into the air as he let out another cold laugh.

"Try using Aeroblast now," He told her.

Whether it was because she was now his Pokemon or her confidence had grown, but he felt a huge blast of air erupt from Lugia, far stronger than any she had ever unleashed before.

There was suddenly a scream and then...the next thing he knew the darkness was dissipating and he could now distinguish shapes, and then color.

He looked down from their position up in the sky. The many thousands of people and Pokemon were just down below, currently lying asleep, but it was clear they were all starting to stir.

Still he looked around for Darkrai but couldn't find him.

"Where did he go?" He asked aloud.

"Gone for now, I suppose and good riddance, I didn't like him at all," Lugia admitted.

"Neither did I," He answered, "although I suppose there is one good thing that came from it."

"Definitely," He heard inside his head, which caught him by surprise.

He then thought back, "can you hear me Lugia?"

"Of course," Came the reply.

Oh boy, so apparently he now had a telepathic link with her, this was going to be fun.

He felt her glee through their link as she observed, "it certainly is."

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