Chapter 35

After Misty showers and gets settled for bed, her pokenav rings. She sees Ash is the caller. "He probably heard about the gym." she thinks as she picks up the phone.

"Mist! Are you okay?!" He asks frantically.

"Hello to you too."

"How about the kids?" He presses on, and Misty rolls her eyes.

"We're all fine. You know I can handle Team Rocket." she hears him let out a breath.

"I'm sorry I wasn't there."

"Which time?" Misty can't help but ask him. He's silent for a while. "You're still not here, Ash. Your family's home was just attacked 12 hours ago and you are still at the league." There's still silence from the man. An angry Misty decides to just let him have it. "Goodbye, Ash."

"Wait!" He says. Misty takes a deep breath. "I want to be there-"

"Then be here!" She snaps.

"But the league-"

"It's always the league this, the league that! It's always the league! I can't do this now, Ash. Bye." And she hangs up the pokenav. She turns it on do not disturb to ignore any calls or text but still has her alarm go off in the morning.

Ash's POV

Misty hung up on me. I totally deserve it. Dang! I groan and look at Pikachu who gives me a sympathetic look. I scratch him behind the ears and hand him a ketchup packet. "I'm really sucking at this." I tell him and he just shrugs while slurping the ketchup. Thanks, buddy.

Mew! I look at the picture of my family on my desk. Where did we go wrong? Well, where did I go wrong? I finally accomplished my dream of being the champion of Kanto, but I've lost my family because of it. I glare at the mountains of papers on my desk from things I need to get done for the league. I thought I was just supposed to be battling trainers. I didn't realize there are so many things a champion needs to do.

How does Paul do it? Oh yeah. He doesn't care about the league. It took me 7 years to realize that though. A champion has a lot of responsibility. They have to make sacrifices and their family does too. Argggg! I lean back in my chair. This should be a no-brainer. Family or My Dream. But why is it so difficult for me? I spent my whole life trying to get here and now that I'm here, I'm unhappy. Is this really what I want?

I glance back at my family picture and can't help but smile. Yeah. This is a no-brainer. I get up and grab my coat when my pokenav rings. Maybe it's Misty! I quickly pick it up without checking the caller ID, but I wish I did.

"We need you for an emergency meeting!" Lance tells me. Mew! I inwardly groan.

"My family's home was just attacked. I need to go check on them, Lance."

"That's what the meeting is about, Ketchum. Get here soon or Director Goodwin will close down the gym for good. This the 5th time Team Rocket has attacked the gym since Misty and her sister's were left in charge of it. Things aren't looking good for her."

Argggg! I'll have to visit my family some other time. Misty did say they're all okay now, and I trust my wife has it handled. I find myself grinning. I married a very strong and beautiful woman. "Okay, thanks, Lance. I'll be there soon!" I run out and leave Pikachu. Good thing I didn't check the caller ID.

The next morning

The Ketchums enjoyed their breakfast while Dillon got to formally introduce his team to the family as well as the pokemon at the gym. He informed them that he is keeping his identity a secret, which they agreed to keep as well. Pika loves Misty and Amy so much already, and Dillon is happy his partner gets along with them.

"So why did you decide to go on a pokemon journey? I remember you saying they're not your thing...Dilly Boy?" Amy snickers. Dillon rolls his eyes and ignores her, but his mother pipes in too.

"Yeah. I'm curious as to what made you change your mind?"

The boy groans and avoids eye contact with them. He shyly says, "I'm gonna take down Ash."

Misty gives a shocked expression but doesn't say anything. Meanwhile, Amy exclaims, "No way! You cannot take down Dad!"

Dillon looks at her with an intensity in his eyes that makes his sister flinch. "I'll do it."

Misty smiles and ruffles his hair. "If anyone can, it'll be you." Dillon gives her a grateful smile back while Amy just shrugs and finishes her breakfast.

By 9:30AM, Dillon bids his family farewell. He gives his mother a hug and peck on the cheek before hugging Amy, who happily returns the gesture. "Make sure you come back and beat mom!" Amy yells as Dillon walks down the road towards the Pokemon Center. He gives her a thumbs up and continues walking.

"C'mon. We need to get the gym ready. You can make the signs pointing trainers to the outdoor battlefield." Misty tells Amy.

"Okay." The girl smiles and follows her mother.