Chapter 25 – Farewell Kalos! Setting sail for home
The SS Riyardh – Somewhere in the Declaore Islands…
The Riyardh, one of the Liners that the Sinnoh and Mystery Dungeon (S&MD) Company uses on it's services across the South Johto Seas and the Sea of Wailord, is a vessel of 57,500 tones and 50,000 nominal horsepower. It would make the crossing from Castelia to Goldenrod City in about nine to ten days. The first part of the crossing the weather and the seas were kind to them.
The often-treacherous waters of the Decalore Islands favored the progress of the vessel. The Riyardh was soon within sight of Scalchop Island, the first of the archipelago, made from sea shells and shaped, unsurprisingly like a Schalchop. They stayed quite close to the coast. The colonies of Oshawott and Dewotts that inhabit it were no where to be seen…
Ashachu had spent the journey so far being subdued and depressed. Having woken up nearly every morning of his life to Hunter's smiling face, waking up on the first morning of the crossing and remembering Hunter wasn't there had felt like being stabbed in the heart with Oshawott's Scalchop. He felt as if a piece of his very soul had been left there with Hunter on Prime Pier. Ashachu lay curled up on a lounge chair on the deck of the ship, the warm sunshine and the beautiful island they were passing doing nothing to improve his mood.
Ash and Jimmy were playing Pokémon Ping Pong with Pikachu and Typhlosion, a game identical to Ping Pong but had the word Pokémon inserted into it's title to note the Pokémon partner trying to hit the ball with any part of their body while the trainer used a bat. The two boys played with their shirts off, their torsos sweaty in the hot sunshine, intending to jump into the deck pool to cool off.
Sniveon, Oshawott, Sylveon, Buizel, Mienfoo, Zoroark and Axew were playing in the pool passing about a large beach ball, while Hikari sat on the edge with his tail and feet dipped in the water and Snivy was perched on a chair sunning herself, and Nova trained by himself.
"Hey Ashy!" Sniveon called out to him swimming to the edge of the pool. "Come in! The water's lovely and warm."
Ashachu raised his head and looked into her smiling face. Her dark chocolate eyes were almost begging him. "No thanks," he replied casually. "I'm fine here."
"Oh." Sniveon looked almost saddened by his response, her ears drooping. "Okay. Suit yourself." She pushed off from the side and dived back into the water.
Ashachu sighed and rolled onto his back and stared up at the sky. It was deep and blue, without a single cloud. He tried hard not to be reminded of the colour of Hunter's fur.
'But it's not like I'm never going to see or talk to him again… There's that thing humans call the phone. And texting… And Pikapi sees his old friend regularly…Right.'
A conversation floated back to him of Pikachu mentioning someone named Brock when talking about Oshawott's flirting. Only Buizel had known who this person was, Oshawott and Snivy had never heard of him, yet according to Pikachu he was Ash's close friend who had travelled with Ash through 4 regions.
Then there was that Misty girl, who he knew Ash had not spoken too for nearly three years before she had turned up in Team Flare. Maybe Ash didn't keep in touch with all his old friends.
He shook his head. 'No. Pikapi wouldn't just abandon Cameron… And besides we can still talk on the phone.'
Out of the corner of his eye he notice a column of flame shooting into the sky. Curious, he sat up for a better look. Nova was blowing a flamethrower right into the air, while standing still on one leg. Ashachu was impressed by his discipline and determination.
Just then he felt something wet fall onto his head. Buizel had accidently hit the ball too hard.
"Sorry Ashy," he called as Ashachu whipped around. "Umm…could you throw the ball back."
Ashachu sighed and batted the ball with his tail. It rolled off the lounge chair and back into the pool. He slid off the chair and walked away, deciding he wanted to spend sometime alone.
Sniveon watched him go with a sad look on her face. "Aww. Poor Ashy," she said to herself.
[Pokémon]
If Ashachu or any of the others had looked over the side of the ship and looked down they might have noticed the shadow of a very large looking Magikarp, swimming fast enough to keep up with the ships progress. And if they had looked very closely they may have caught a glimpse of a periscope poking out of the water, that would have told them it wasn't a Magikarp but in fact a submarine shaped like one… A Submarine belonging to none other than Jessie, James and Meowth of Team Rocket.
"Twerp ho," exclaimed Meowth enthusiastically as he took his eyes of the Periscope and turne to grin at his two team mates. "See… I told ya they'd be goin' back to Kanto."
"Yes. But how can you see onboard from this angle," asked James inquisitively.
"Dat other twerp Pikachoo, Ashachoo was walkin' along the deck," Meowth explained. "And if Ashachoo's dare, den it must mean that twerp and Pikachoo must be on dat tub too."
Jessie and James's faces lit up and Jessie said gleefully, "Brilliant. So that means all we have to do is wait for nightfall, then we'll board the ship, steal Pikachu and every other Pokémon and steal away into the ocean before anyone realizes what happened."
"And," added James Patting the wall. "Thanks to the new custom built motor we had installed, we won't have to lift a finger."
The Magikarp submarine was pedal powered. It was essentially a long stationary bicycle inside a dank, smell metal tube, which when pedaled turned the propellor at the stern. This meant chasing the Twerp across the sea meant many hours peddling like contestants in a cycling race.
Sick and tired of this exhausting façade, Jessie, James and Meowth had pooled together what little money they each had and bought a motor from a shop in Port Gateon, which Meowth had installed.
"Ain't it great," Meowth said with a smile. "It may 'ave cost us every penny we had and James's bottle cap collection but it was worth it."
James gasped. "What! You sold my bottle cap collection again. Without my permission," he said indignantly.
Jessie sighed and rolled her eyes. "Oh give it a rest James. It's called taking one for the team. Besides it was you're the one who complains the most about having to pedal this infernal thing. At least now…"
CRUNCH…
She stopped as a nasty crunching sound came from the engine. .
"Ohh. That didn't sound good," James said as Meowth's eyes widened.
Jessie, noticing Meowth's expression asked, "Meowth! What was that…"
"Umm…Well da t'ing his." He hesitated fighting with his tail.
"Out with it." Jessie raised a hand threatening to slap him.
"Da t'ing is dat I forgot to put the oil filling da motor up with gas so it's probably seized up," he blurted out flinching. He closed his eyes waiting for the explosion.
"WHAT! YOU IDIOT MEOWTH…Come on everyone. We'll have to pedal if we don't want to keep up with the twerps."
The three of them put their feet on the pedals and started pedaling as fast as they could. As they did so, a Pokéball on Jessie's belt opened and Wobbufett materialized. He looked around with a stupid grin on his face before saying happily "Wobbufettt."
[Pokémon]
"Pikaa." Ashachu let out a great sigh as he lay down on Ash's bed.
Bed wasn't quite the right word to describe. Like most of the trainers aboard the Riyardh Ash and Jimmy were traveling in Tatami class. The bed consisted of a mat, pillow and blankets to laid out on the floor with everyone else on one of the lower decks. Only a few passengers were luck enough to have cabins.
He closed his eyes thinking. Part of him felt silly for moping about Hunter. Sniveon, Axew, Zoroark and the others were still his friends and cared about. But none of them were Hunter. The other part of him was split between missing Hunter and confused as to exactly why he missed him. Was it just separation anxiety or…something more.
'That kiss,' he thought reliving that final moment on the quay. It had been so perfect yet awkward. 'It felt so… Good. But did I like it because I love him, or did it just feel right because he's my best friend… And poor Hunter. He'd waited so long to tell me that and now we're not together anymore. And if I do see him again. I'll have to decide whether I want to be his boyfriend'
Ashachu tried to imagine what life might be like with Hunter as his mate. He pictured them living together, perhaps in a forest or a cave, playing together, foraging for food or hunting, kissing and of course mating under a tree. His sheath tingled as he pictured Hunter on top of him sliding in and out of him…
'Umm…No. I'm on top.'
He gave his sheath a rub with his paw as he imagined sliding in and out of Hunter while the Riolu yelped and moaned his name.
"Ashachu."
Ashachu's eyes snapped open at the sound of his name and he sat up quickly to as to hide the red tip poking out from between his legs. "Y-yes." Nova was sitting at the end of the mat. Ashachu was amazed at how quietly he'd walked in.
"I'm not interrupting anything am I," the Cyndaquil asked casually, smirking at the blush on Ashachu's face.
"N-no," Ashachu stuttered, his ears feeling warm. "I-I was just..umm…What are you doing?"
Nova tilted his head. "Well to be honest, I noticed you weren't playing with you're friends, so I thought I'd come and see if everything was alright."
"Oh. T-thanks." Ashachu was taken a back by the kind gesture from the usually cold and snarky Cyndaquil.
Nova took a few steps forward and placed a paw on his shoulder. "Hey. Just so you know man. I understand what you're going through."
"Huh." Ashachu flicked his ear. "What do you mean?"
"I know what it's like to have to say goodbye to someone you care about," said Nova.
"Really," Ashachu replied surprised. "Who…If you don't mind me asking," he added quickly so as not to sound rude.
Nova smiled almost sadly before replying, "My first boyfriend, Cobalt. He was a Riolu just like you're friend."
"Oh…I'm so sorry. What happened?"
"He was hurt trying to protect me," Nova explained. His voice had changed so dramatically it could have been a different Cyndaquil talking. It was soft and wavered as if the words caused Nova pain. Ashachu regretted asking the follow up question. "Those piece of shit humans Team Plasma attacked us and my dad trying to capture me. Cobalt…Got hurt and… Well. Those human doctors did they're best but…They couldn't save him."
Ashachu's ears dropped sadly. "Awww…Nova I'm so sorry to hear that." He felt slightly ashamed of his own heartache. He could talk to Hunter and phone and the two of them could still visit each other. Nova had lost his mate forever.
As if reading his thought (which he probably was as Nova can read aura) Nova said, "I know it's not the same thing obviously, but I know how it feels to be apart from the one you love. So if you ever want to talk about anything. I'd like to listen. You obviously really liked that Hunter Riolu." Though he added under his breath "no idea why?"
"T-thanks…B-but why are you doing this." Ashachu hadn't meant to say that last sentence, but part of him was confused as to why the snarky Cyndaquil was suddenly being so nice and understanding. "Why did you tell me that?"
Nova shrugged. "I dunno," he said his voice returning to normal. "I like you." As he said those last three words Nova ran his paw down Ashachu's tail, from the tip to the base.
Ashachu felt a strange tingle where the paw touched. It made his ears twitch, and his heart start to beat faster. He turned and looked at the Cyndaquil and for the first time was aware of just how cute the fire mouse Pokémon was, with his long nose and soft blue fur. Every thought of Hunter was driven out of his mind.
"When I first found out you were another aura Pokémon. I was really hoping we could be friends." He did it again, moving his paw up and down Ashachu's tail, spending special time near the base. Ashachu felt that tingle again. "You know I never got to say this but. You did really well in that final battle. If Team Plasma hadn't ruined everything you and Oshawott might have won. You're one powerful Pokémon Ashachu."
[Pokémon]
Six days later…
The beautiful islands of the Decalore archipelago came to an end and the Riyardh headed swiftly for the Johto seas. The weather turned, the clear skies and temperate seas giving way to dark clouds and high winds. The sea grew choppy, large waves rising it up before the vessel and causing it to pitch up and down.
Most of Ash's Pokémon chose to spend the rest of the journey in their Pokéballs, except Ashachu, Pikachu and Oshawott. Ashachu had no Pokéball, Pikachu hated being in his even more than sea sickness, and Oshawott who, being a Sea Otter didn't mind the rough seas.
In addition to the waves and wind, the Johto seas brought with them rain, heavy droplets lashing the vessel. Few passengers ventured out on deck, preferring to spend their time in doors either playing games, reading or watching extremely violent Kung Fu videos in one the ships lounges. The cafeteria was mostly empty as people were too seasick to eat.
Ash and Jimmy passed the time by getting to know each other better, playing cards or board games in the lounge with Typhlosion, Pikachu, Ashachu and occasionally Nova or Oshawott or else just talking about everything from Pokémon battles, journey's they'd been on, competitions to friends, family, gym leaders they'd faced and elite four members they admired..
In the evening three days before they were due in Goldenrod, they found themselves sitting at a table in the Riyardh's cafeteria watching the rain pound against it having yet another game of cards…
"So Jimmy," Ash asked as he placed a card on the table. "Back at the league. Why did you think Oshawott was my mate …"
It was a question that had been at the back of Ash's mind ever since he spoken to the boy under the tree in the park, in particular what he'd meant by Synchro evolution, but he hadn't had a chance to ask.
"Pikapi." Pikachu looked at him curiously tilting his head. There was a slight frown on his face as if he were wondering why Ash would ask that.
Jimmy looked slightly taken a back. "Oh…Well. I just assumed. Because the two of you were…Uhh." He was distracted by Typhlosion sniggering. "Hey cut it out Typhlosion…" he scowled at his Pokémon then continued, "Because Oshawott synchro evolved. And that needs a really strong bond. So I thought that meant you must really care about each other."
"Well I do care for Oshawott. But not in the same way I care about Pikachu." Ash gave Pikachu a fond smile which the mouse returned. "…But. What's Synchro evolution. Is that what keeps evolving Oshawott into Samurott."
"Yeah that's right." Typhlosion answered the question. "It's not really evolution as such. It's more like a Mega Evolution. It's a power that comes from the bond between a Pokémon and someone they really care about. It's like…I don't know. Their souls combined and together they become something more than they were alone or something like that. That's what the legend says anyway."
"Two souls combined," Ash murmured. "Maybe that explains why I feel like I am a part of Oshawott."
Pikachu, overhearing this scowled and said, "What legend," with a note of indignation in his voice. "Who said this. And if it's about two souls combining why isn't it me evolving into Ash-Samurott or Ash-Raichu or whatever. I'm his mate."
Typhlosion held up his paws taken a back by Pikachu's reaction. "I dunno. We don't know how it works either. It's just an old legend about the aura guardians that's been passed down through Jimmy's family. His dad's got some super ancient scroll or something he's got hanging up on the wall. Griatina, or some legendary or something is supposed to have punished the aura guardians by putting a curse on them so that they would only fall in love with a Pokémon of the same gender so the power would die. Or some shit like that."
"I hate that story," Jimmy said folding his arms. "As if loving you could ever be a curse."
Typhlosion shrugged. "Yeah I know." He put his paw on Jimmy's arm lovingly. "It's just a guardian legend. It's probably a load of Rhydon crap. But, the story is that the cursed love was so powerful it became a power that allowed the Pokémon using it to evolve or mega evolve at will. And everytime they did so they would take on their mates appearance."
"Hmm." Ash thought about what Typhlosion had just said. It didn't really tell him anything but at least someone else knew about this mysterious power. And judging by their battle at the league, had mastered it. There was also something else Jimmy had said, that had Ash curious.
"So Jimmy. You're a descent of the aura guradian," he asked. "Can you use aura too?"
To his surprise Jimmy laughed. "What. No way. Ash. The true guardians died out, like, centuries ago. No. My family's distantly related to them. I think my grandma was an temple madien."
"But what about Nova? Zinzolin said he was an aura Cyndaquil."
Jimmy shrugged. "I've got no idea what that's about. I guess the ability must still be in my Dana or something."
"Jimmy. It's called DNA," Typhlosion corrected him with an exasperated groan.
Jimmy rolled his eyes and continued. "Maybe it only affects Pokémon."
At that moment a waiter dressed in a smart white uniform came over, carrying two bowls of stew, a basked to bread and a steaming mug. He placed a bowl each in front of Ash and Pikachu, and the mug before Jimmy before uttering "Enjoy," and returning to the kitchen.
Ash and Pikachu's eye lit up at the sight of the food.
"Alright…"
"Pika…"
Ash grabbed one of the bread buns, tore it in two and dipped it in the stew before shoving into his mouth, while Pikachu picked up his bowl and tipped it's contents into his maw.
Jimmy raised an eyebrow. "Wow…I'm not sure how you can you two can eat when the seas are like this," he said taking a sip of his drink.
"Nah. Sea sickness never bothers me," as replied through a mouthful.
Typhlosion smirked at the sight of Pikachu chowing down on the stew. Pikachu noticed and shot him a quizzical look mumbling "what…"
"Oh nothing," the Volcano Pokémon replied casually though thinking, 'You're going to regret eating that little mouse.'
[Pokémon]
Overnight the wind and rain picked up to become a powerful storm. Gale force winds blew large waves in the path of the Riyadh causing the ship to roll heavily. The captain was forced to reduce speed and have the vessel to ride it out. If the storm continued they predicted, they could be up to an entire 24 hours late into Goldenrod City.
For the passengers the storm became quite a nuisance, not only because of the delayed progress of the vessel, but the pitching and rolling had caused many of them to succumb to sea sickness, including poor Pikachu…
It came on very suddenly. He woke in the middle of the night in the middle of the Tatami room, snuggled against Ash's chest on their mat, the sound of his snoring in his ear. At first he wondered if it was that which had woken him, or the constant rising and falling of the ground beneath him.
Then he felt. A horrible churning in his stomach as if his insides were writhing like the ocean surrounding, and his fur was drenched in a cold sweat.
"Pika." He sat up with a gasp, putting a paw over his mouth to stop himself throwing up all over Ash. "Fuck. I'm gonna be sick."
He wriggled free from Ash, got to his paws and dashed out of the room and into the corridor, desperately looking for a place to throw up. He eventually found an empty bucket in a janitor's closet.
"This'll do." Gripping the bucket with both paws, he opened his mouth and emptied the contents of his writhing stomach into it…
And so for the next four hours Pikachu sat in the closet, wrenching into the bucket until he'd brought back the stew. He felt tired and dizzy. He wanted to go back to sleep, but couldn't escape the nausea, the urge to throw up and the constant rolling of the ship.
"Ugh. So this is what Typhlosion meant by regret eating that stew," he moan as lay down on his back, the contents of his stomach having been emptied several times over, or at least that's what it felt like, His neck ached from being hunched over the bucked for so long, there was a bad taste in his mouth and a horrible smell coming from the bucket and his now damp fur.
Eventually, he fell into an uneasy sleep and woke up again a few hours later when someone poked him hard in the ribs. "Pikachu!"
"Pii." Pikachu opened a bleary eyes. Oshawott was standing over him, a deep grin on his face. "Oshawott."
"Hehe. You look terrible," the Sea Otter said. "Rough night huh."
"Like you wouldn't believe," Pikachu groaned sitting up.
Oshawott laughed. "You lightweight Pikachu. If I'd know you were this queasy when exposed to just a small few waves, I'd have learnt surf ages ago."
Pikachu glared at him. "One. This isn't a few small waves. Two. I'm a mouse so without these human wailords I wouldn't be on the ocean anyway. And three. I'd knock down any wave you sent at me with iron tail then put an electro ball up your butt so don't get any ideas."
Oshawott chuckled. "Oh please. Oshawott's and Dewott's swim in waves 10 times bigger that this. We're practically born in them."
"Except you were born in a lab," Pikachu retorted.
"Well yeah," said Oshawott fidgeting with his Scalchop. "But that's not the point. My species can. Here. Let me help you up.
He offered his paw to Pikachu to help him stand up. Pikachu accepted it, but was still so dizzy, he tripped up and fell into the otter.
"Ugh," Oshawott groaned as he sniffed Pikachu's fur, crusted and with vomit and uncomfortably close to his sensitive nose. "You stink. You'd better have a bath before you sit on Ash's shoulder."
[Pokémon]
Mercifully, over the final 48 hours of the crossing the winds started to die down and the Riyardh was able to pick up speed, regaining some of the time it had lost. Pikachu's queasiness, dizziness and nausea settled down, though he was careful not to eat very much for the remainder of the time onboard.
10 and a half days after the vessel had left Castelia City and 15 hours behind schedule, The Riyardh entered the bay of Lugia, which separates the mainland from the whirl islands, and Goldenrod city came into view.
Ash, Jimmy, Pikachu, Ashachu, Typhlosion and Nova had gathered on deck for a first sight of the Johto region.
"Well Typhlosion buddy," Jimmy exclaimed. "We're home." He was holding Typhlosion's paw in his hand, and gave it a little squeeze to share this moment of homecoming with his mate.
"Not too far for us either," Ash said to Pikachu and Ashachu. He too felt a sense of excitement as the familiar landmarks of the Johto Capital came into view, the Radio tower, the Global terminal and the many high rise buildings that made up it's skyline.
"Pika," Ashachu murmured in awe as he took in the unfamiliar sights.
"Good," Pikachu said in relief. "Finally we'll be off this thing."
"Do you have far to go," Jimmy asked.
"Nah. Not really," Ash replied. "We'll take the Magnet Train to Saffron City. It shouldn't take too long to get to Pallet Town from there."
"Pikachu…"
The Pilot came aboard and guided the Vessel into harbor. Half an hour later Ash and Jimmy were standing on the Quayside saying their goodbyes.
"See ya Ash. I hope we get to battle again some day," Jimmy said offering his hand.
"Me too," Ash replied. "Good luck getting back to Newbark Town."
"See ya Pikachu," Typhlosion said raising his paw. "Nice meetin' ya."
"Thanks. You too."
The two boys shook hands while Nova and Ashachu shook paws then they went their separate ways. Jimmy, Typhlosion and Nova made their way South to the Route 34 gate, while Ash Pikachu and Ashachu made their way to the Magnet Train Station.
[Pokémon]
Goldenrod City, Ash thought, was surprisingly quite for the largest City in the region. There were only a few people and Pokémon in the streets as they made their way from the Harbor to the station.
"Sure is quite around here," he muttered to Pikachu, as Ashachu trotted along beside him. "It was certainly busier the last time we were here."
They reached the station, a magnificent glass building next to the radio tower, out of which ran an elevated white track that stretched nearly the entire length of the two regions.
It was even quieter inside that it was in the street. The station lobby was practically empty for a single clerk at one of the ticket windows, and two travellers in long dark cloaks reading newspapers on a bench…
"Magnet train services have been temporarily suspended," the clerk announced as Ash approached the ticket window.
"Wh-what," Ash gasped. "The trains not running. Why?"
"There's a power blackout in Kanto due to a problem at the power plant," the clerk explained curtly. "The line's power supply comes from Kanto, so until the solve the problem services are closed."
Ash felt a lurch in his stomach. If the train wasn't running then the only way back to Pallet Town would be to walk the entire length of the Johto Region. "B-But I need to get home."
"Pikachuu."
"How long will this problem with the power take to fix."
"If I knew I'd tell ya kid," the clerk said sounding disinterested. "If you need to get to Kanto you can always take the SS Aqua from Olivine City."
Ash groaned. "Oh great…" Olivine City was further to the north up route 38, though it was still less distance than having to travel all the way back to Pallet Town by foot. "Is that really the best you can do. Isn't there like a bus or something."
"Not one that runs all the way to Kanto. Where are you trying to get to."
"Pallet Town."
The clerk signed and shook her head. "Can't help you there kid. There's a bus that goes to Blackthrone City, but you'll have to wait until tomorrow if you want to catch it. I'm sorry but the best I can give you is to tell you to catch the ferry from Olivine…"
[Pokémon]
Ash left the station huffy and bad tempered, muttering angrily to Pikachu and Ashachu. "Aww man. I can't believe it. Now we gotta go all the way to Olivine City to get home. We didn't have this problem getting around in the Kalos region."
"Pi Pikachu," Ashachu growled, sharing his trainer/parent's frustration.
Pikachu didn't say anything. He was staring down at Ash's feet with a deep thoughtful expression on his face. He didn't know what, but something was making him feel deeply tense and uneasy.
After a few moments of muttering to himself, Ash noticed. "Hey Pikachu. Is something wrong?"
"Huh." Pikachu snapped out his thoughts and replied, "I don't know…I just get the feeling that… Something just feels wrong. I think we should get out of here."
Ash, unobservant as ever, chuckled. "Oh Pikachu. You worry too much sometimes. Ya think Team Rocket's dug another pitfall trap in the middle of Goldenrod City."
Even Pikachu couldn't help but laugh and Ashachu giggled, "or a giant net from one of the buildings."
It was as they were reaching the end of the street that a voice from behind them shouted, "Hey kid."
"Wha." Ash, Pikachu and Ashachu spun around. The two cloak wearing travelers from the station were walking very fast up the street behind them. "Are you talking to me?"
"You're heading to Pallet Town correct," said the one of the travelers. By the sound of her voice and her longish hair Ash guessed she was a woman, but he couldn't see much of her face owing to thick pair of black sunglasses she wore over her face.
Ash nodded. "Umm yeah!"
"We were on our way to the Cinnabar islands. We've got a boat docked in the harbor if you want a ride."
It was in that moment that Pikachu realized what had been bothering him. The Magnet Train had been out of service. So what had the two of them been doing in the station. And why were they taking such lengths to conceal their identity, with cloaks and glasses.
Ash, tempted by the offer opened his mouth, but before he could say anything, Pikachu leapt off his shoulder and fired a powerful thunderbolt at the the woman and her accomplice. They both screamed.
"P-Pikachu," Ash shouted bewildered. "What was that…" He stopped as the force of the thunderbolt blew off the cloaks the two figures were wearing to reveal black Team Plasma Uniforms. "…Wha. Team Plasma."
"Ugh. Smart little rodent," the woman snapped irritably as the electricity faded.
"Looks like we'll have to do this by force," said her partner as he took out a Pokéball. Now that the cloaks were off Ash could see he was a young man with straw colored hair. "Go Hitmonlee."
"Monleee." There was a flash of light and a brown Pokémon with long legs and arms appeared.
"Get the black tailed Pikachu."
"Pika." Ashachu squeaked. Ash bent down and scooped him up as the fighting type ran towards him. Pikachu growled, his cheeks sparking preparing to defend his family.
"Nova. Fire blast…"
Suddenly, the blue and white form of a Cyndaquil rose into the air from behind the two Plasma grunts. He did a summersault in mid air then shot a stars shaped blast of fire at Hitmonlee, causing the fighting type to crumple to a heap.
"Hiii-Yaaa."
A split second later the two grunts fell to their knees as Jimmy and Typhlosion tackled them from behind. Nova landed on the unconscious Hitmonlees back.
"J-Jimmy," Ash exclaimed in surprise as Pikachu cried "Typhlosion" and Ashachu squeaked "N-Nova."
"Ash. Are you okay," Jimmy asked as he and Typhlosion got to their feet/paws. "They didn't hurt you did they."
"No we're fine," Ash groaned. "Phew…Thanks man." He looked at the now unconscious grunts lying on the pavement. "I wonder how they found us."
"I noticed a group of them near the city gate," said Jimmy. "One said something about Aura Pichu and the train station. So I came straight to find you. Come on. We need to get going before more of them show up…"
They took refuge in a café in the Department store where they're were more people and therefore less likely that Team Plasma or anyone else would try to attack them again.
"Aww man," Ash sighed as they sat down at one of the tables. "I can't believe they followed us all the way here from Kalos."
"Nah they were probably already here," said Jimmy bitterly. "Team Plasma's been in Johto for a long time. When I saw them near the gate I thought they were here for us. Those crooks have been trying to get Nova for ages."
"Hmph. Yeah trying," Nova snorted. "Bunch of fucking weaklings couldn't catch a cold."
Jimmy smirked at his reaction but Typhlosion frowned and growled softly, "I've told you not to talk like that."
Ashachu titled his head and looked curiously at the Cyndaquil, impressed that he could speak so causally and jokingly about being chased by villains. Team Plasma had terrified him.
"Really," Ash asked Jimmy. "Why.
"Pika," said Pikachu.
"Because. He's a powerful aura Cyndaquil I suppose," Jimmy said darkly. "You saw what they were like back in Kalos…" he sighed and started to purse one of the menus on the table.
Ash's eyes fell upon Nova. He wondered why Team Plasma were after him. The same reason they had pursued Ashachu. But Ghetsis had told him that had no interest in Ashachu anymore back in Castelia…
The waitress came over to take their orders, so they ordered two coffees and a snack for Pikachu, Ashachu, Typhlosion and Nova.
"Hey Ash," Jimmy said after she'd rushed off to fetch their order. "Maybe we ought to go to Pallet Town together. That way it'll be harder for Team Plasma and anyone else to attack us. I mean. They're after your Pokémon too…"
Ash was touched by the offer. "R-really," he said in surprise. "…But don't you. You know. Wanna go back home to your family."
Jimmy shrugged. "Well yeah but I'm not in a rush… Mom and dad and all my other friends are probably still back in Kalos. And." He leaned in a little closer to Ash and whispered so the Pokémon couldn't hear. "I think Nova may be..umm…really like your Ashachu!"
[Pokémon]
Four days later – Pallet Town, Kanto Region…
Ash stopped for a moment on the top of the hill that overlooked Pallet Town and sighed.
"Well there it is guys. Home."
"Pika," Pikachu cooed, straining from his shoulder a little to get a better look while Ashachu climbed up his back and onto the top his bed to get a view.
"Pikachu…"
Pallet Town was as sleepy and quite as it had ever been. A small collection of houses nestled between two hills. On the hill opposite from them he could see Professor Oak's Laboratory where the rest of his Pokémon would be waiting for him.
"So this Pallet Town. Kinda looks a bit like Newbark Town," said Jimmy, nudging Typhlosion who nodded.
Nova, sitting on Typhlosion's head scowled thinking to himself 'Really. This is where that kid's from… It looks like a dumpy shithole.'
"C'mon. I wanna say hi to all my Pokémon." Ash ran down the side of the hill. He beckoned to Jimmy to follow who called after him, "Ash. Wait for us," before following, Typhlosion and Nova at his side…
It was generous to call Pallet Town and Town. It was mostly a dirt track lined at either side by a few small houses, a grocery store, a school house and the town hall.
"Aww man. I can't wait to see everyone again," Ash said excitedly as they along the road. "And introduce them to all to Axew and the others."
"SoI guess all your other Pokémon are waiting for at your house," said Jimmy.
Ash shook his head. "Nuh-uh. They're all with Professor Oak at his research lab. My house isn't that big. Let's go there now."
He broke into a run, but before he could take more than a couple of steps Pikachu wailed loudly, "Assshhhh. Aren't you gonna go see your mom first."
Ash came to a halt, as Pikachu jumped off his shoulder and stood in front of him, his paws on his hips and tapping his foot like a parent about to scold a child.
"Uhh. Well I was going to go and say hi to professor Oak first," Ash said Mareepishly, a sweatdrop appearing on the side of his face.
Pikachu scowled at him. He really couldn't believe his mate at time. How could he not want to go and see his own mother.
"ASH. I know you're keen to see to Bulbasaur and the others again, but don't you think we should go and see your mom. She hasn't seen you in months and she'll be worried about you after what happened at the league. And she'll want to meet her grand kit."
He pointed at Ashachu who raised a paw and said "Pika."
"Umm." Ash glanced at Jimmy who shrugged and said, "hey if you wanna go and see your mom Ash that's cool. We can have a look around by ourselves."
"Yeah. Don't worry about us," added Typloshion. "Go and see your mom. We can meet up later at Professor Oak's lab."
Ash sighed. "That sounds good. See you later then. C'mon Pikachu."
[Pokémon]
Ash's House…
The house was almost exactly the same as it had been when Ash and Pikachu had set off for the Kalos region several months ago. A small, two story white wooden building with a porch out the front. The only thing that was new were a few flower beds by the fence.
"Mom must have planted those while we were away," Ash muttered as they walked through the gate and up to the front door. "Okay Ashachu. Here we are. Get ready to say hello to my mom."
"Pi." Ashachu licked a paw and ran it over his ears as if cleaning himself. His tail wagged excitedly.
The door opened before Ash had a chance to knock to reveal a pudgy pink humanoid Pokémon that resembled a clown standing in the door way. It was holding a broom in one paw and the door in the other.
"Mime Mr Mime." It beamed at the sight of them and stood aside to let them pass.
"Hey Mimmey," Ash greeted it cheerfully then added to Ashachu, "That's Mr. Mime. He's my mom's Pokémon. We call him Mimey."
"Pi. Hi Mimey." Ashachu waved a paw, blushing nervously as he always did meeting new Pokémon.
They stepped through the doorway and into the living room, a spacious room with a TV, sofa and coffee table taking up most of it. There was a set of stairs along the right hand wall, and a number of sideboards, pictures and cabinets decorates the walls.
Pikachu leapt off Ash's shoulder and onto the floor, enjoying the feel of the carpet around under his paws. He closed his eyes for a brief second and took a deep breath, sniffing all the familiar smells of his home.
Although Pikachu hadn't really ever 'lived' here, it was the place that Pikapi called home, and that made it his home too. It was where Pikapi had grown up, and his scent was was impregnated in the carpet and walls making it feel familiar and comfortable.
"Ahh. It's so good to be back here."
"Ash. Pikachu. Is that you."
They heard someone call out and a second later Delia walked out of the kitchen. Delia was a brown haired woman with a pleasant smiling face. She was very young, only 29 years old.
The moment she saw him, she ran over and put her arms around him and gave him a big hug. "Ash honey. I was so worried about you. When I saw what had happened on the TV I… It's good to see you again. I missed you."
"Thanks mom." Ash blushed as he hugged his mother back. Ashachu slid off Ash's shoulder and went to hide behind Pikachu. "I missed you too."
"Don't be shy," Pikachu said putting a paw on his side. "This is Pikapi's mom, Delia. So your grandmother."
"Mom," Ash said as they broke apart. "There's someone I want to you to meet." He walked over to Pikachu and Ashachu and picked Ashachu up then held him out to show Delia.
Delia looked surprised. "Oh. You caught another Pikachu?"
Pikachu smirked to himself at her reaction. 'Oh. This should be good.'
"Umm. Not quite," Ash replied. "Mom. This is Ashachu. He's our kit."
Ashachu blushed rubbing the back of his head nervously with his paw. "Pikaa-aka. Errr. Hi Ash's mom," he mumbled. "I-it's n-nice to meet you."
Delia frowned. "What do you mean sweetie."
"I mean he's mine and Pikachu's kit," Ash explained, feeling his cheeks growing warm. "You know kit. As in baby mouse."
"Pika." Pikachu scurried onto Ash's shoulder and gave Delia a smile, raising his eye brows suggestively to Ash's annoyance.
"Oh I get it," said Delia smiling again. "You raised him from an egg and so he's kind of like your child. That's cute."
Pikachu sniggered though he felt slightly annoyed by Delia saying 'kind of like your child.'
Ash gave a great sigh. "Ohh boy. No mom. I mean I got Pikachu pregnant and this our kit."
Pikachu bit his lip hard, trying not to laugh and the mixture of shock and confusion on Delia's face.
"We-what. You mean that, this Pikachu is your's and Pikachu. And you…and Pikachu." She gaped at them at a loss for words.
"That's right. Ashachu's our son," Ash said nodding. "See the pattern on his chest. It's just like the birthmarks on my cheeks right."
"B-but that can't be," Delia stuttered. "How exactly did you get Pikachu pregnant."
Ash shrugged. "Same way I'd get a girl pregnant."
There was a moment of awkward silence, in which Ashachu squirmed in Ash's arms feeling very uncomfortable.
However a second later that warm smile returned to her face. "Okay. Well that's great honey. I am very happy for you." She reached out and took Ashachu off Ash and cradled him to her chest like a newborn. "Hello there Ashachu," she cooed. "It's nice to meet you."
"Pika." Ashachu looked up into her face and her hazel eyes. She looked remarkably similar to Ash and she had the same warm smile. It made him feel both relaxed and safe. "Pikachu."
"Hehe. Ahhh. Aren't you the cutest. You remind me of Pikachu on the first day Ash became a trainer."
Pikachu frowned. "Only in that we both have yellow fur and a lighting tail," he muttered to Ash. "I looked nothing like Ashachu."
"Close enough," Ash muttered back. "It's not like mom sees that many Pikachus."
Delia placed a light kiss on Ashachu's forehead and whispered "Welcome to our family Ashachu."
[Pokémon]
Meanwhile – Somewhere in the Decalore Islands…
"Well. We've been here for nearly two weeks," Jessie groaned. "I think we can safely say that no one from Team Rocket is coming to rescue us."
Jessie was sitting on a rock on a beach on some unnamed island in Decalore islands. She, James, Meowth and their Pokémon had been stranded here since their Maikarp submarine had been washed up in the storm. The submarine was now lying strewn across the beach, some of it piled so it would be noticeable to rescue craft.
"Yeah. I guess da boss really don't care about us," Meowth said sadly. "Dat or he don't know what's happened to us."
"Well I somebody realizes soon," added Jessie a note of anger entering her voice. "I'm getting sick of just eating basculine and berries we find."
"Are you kidding me. I love the island lifestyle." Jessie and Meowth turned their heads to see Braxien lying in the sand sunning himself. "All the fish you can eat. Plenty of sunshine. Why didn't I think of this earlier."
Jessie glared at him. "I can't be stuck on an island. I'm Team Rocket's valued actress and model."
"And I'm sick of all dis seafood," said Meowth. "I do anything for a cheeseburger. Or a sandwich. Or even just a can of Pokémon food."
"Hey guys."
Jessie and Meowth whipped around and Braxien sat up. James and Noibat were walking towards them followed by two grey Pokémon in with lights flashing at the end of their hands.
"Let me introduce you to my new friends. They're called Beheeyem. They're from out of space and they promised to give us a ride in their flying saucer."
"Be-Beehee." The two Beheeyem raised their hands and the gems at the end of it started to glow. Jessie, Meowth and Braxien exchanged nervous looks.