Chapter 19: Love is Not a Fairy Tail

It had been a day since Erigor and the Eisenwald twins attacked Fairy Tail but Ash used powerful magic to kill the head of a Dark Guild. The army had taken everyone else away while Delia and Wendy helped the Fairy Tail guild recover from the poisoning created by the deceased wizard. Everyone was back to their feet… except for Ash. He laid in the Infirmary Room. Delia, May, Natsu and Lucy hovered over Ash with Pikachu squeaking at his face, overtly concerned. "Ash…" muttered Delia.

"Never tell this kid he doesn't give it his all," Natsu gritted.

"But did it have to end like this?" worried May. "I know those guys threatened to do a lot of us harm…" Delia whimpered, thinking she was responsible for her son's condition.

"It's my fault," she confessed. "When Erigor wished to do me… and a bunch of us… I saw Ash's eyes, wanting to teach him a lesson." Gray nodded in agreement.

"That, he did," he acknowledged. "Though, was it necessary to use up his magic like that?" Pikachu was picked up by Lucy.

"He did it because we were all in trouble," he admitted. "After all, we were all under that poison mist and that none of us could move." Natsu placed a hand on Delia's shoulder.

"Listen, you're as much of a hero as Ash is," he said. "If not for you, we would've been dead… and Ash is tougher than any of us want to believe." It didn't favor Delia as she looked down to Ash, wishing she'd done more. Back outside, Wendy cried to the outcome with Carla and Happy trying to comfort her.

"I wish I could've saved him!" she cried. "I wanted to save him!" Carla wasn't sure what to do. Asuka saw Delia exit the Infirmary Room and ran from Alzack, but Bisca followed.

"Auntie Delia!?" called out Asuka. Delia looked to Asuka. "Is… big brother… gonna be okay?" Delia looked back to the door.

"I don't know," she quietly replied. This worried Asuka as Bisca palmed her head.

"She's anxious to see Ash after what he did to save us," Bisca briefed. "Of course, most of that couldn't have happened if not for you. I'm not trying to blame you for anything… Fairy Tail owes a lot of gratitude to you as well." Delia teared up at the acknowledgment.

"Ash is my whole world," she whimpered. "I told him repeatedly that if anything happens to him…" Erza heard plenty from Delia and rested a hand on her shoulder.

"There was little that could've been done, and I could wager my Jewels that your son didn't want anything bad happening to you," she reminded. "You raised a strong child. If that was mine, I wouldn't want to change anything. He has a guardian's spirit within… something I saw the first time when he saved us." Delia wasn't sure how to react. Levy and her men saw Ash in the Infirmary and she held Ash's hand.

"I don't know if I should be proud or jealous of you, Ash," Droy irked. "If he was one of us, you would've claimed Ash on your own."

"Don't say that," Levy groaned. "It hurts seeing Ash unable to move after his bout."

"So I heard," Max murmured. "From a few of the doctors working on him, Ash must have luck as his lady. They said Erigor's scythe was THIS close to an organ." Levy saw the extremely narrow space between Max's thumb and finger. "Even they highly doubt Ash would've survived a blow if it was on target." Gajeel palmed Ash's head.

"I also heard that Ash intentionally freezing his chest may have also contributed to his survival," Jet added. Gajeel believed the reason.

"Ash was losing blood pretty fast," he explained. "By using Centigrade's power, he preserved his heart rhythm which controlled his bleeding. Either he used it out of necessity or realized his condition." Levy came to Ash's side and leaned in.

"I now know why Asuka thinks of you as an older brother," she whispered before kissing his cheek.

"Get back on you feet soon," Droy wished. After that, Alzack and his family visited Ash. Asuka climbed onto Ash's bed to see his face.

"Big brother?" she called. She felt a towel that was placed on Ash's head. "Why does he have a towel on his head?" Alzack inspected the towel, noting its condition.

"It needs some water," he determined. Seeing a table, he soaked the towel before ringing it out. "This is what I did for Mom when she felt really hot in the head." Asuka seemed to understand the point.

"Of course, most of that was with you in my tummy," Bisca teased. Asuka looked confused by it. She saw Alzack ready to place the towel back on Ash's head.

"Wait!" she halted with a hand up. "Let me give something to Ash." Alzack and Bisca looked to each other before Asuka made a move. "Mommy kisses me up here when she says get well… so…" She crawled up to Ash's forehead. "Here's my miracle kiss." She kissed Ash on the forehead.

"Hopefully, that can help him recover faster," Alzack smiled as he applied the towel.

"That kiss may help him get better," Bisca simplified. Mirajane, Lisanna and Elfman came in next as the day came close to ending. Mirajane held Ash's hand in a prayer.

"I hate to say it but…" started Elfman. "Ash may be the strongest wizard in Fairy Tail."

"Why would you say that?" wondered Lisanna.

"Think about it: Natsu, Gray, Laxus, Wendy… they have abilities with one element… Natsu with two… but Ash holds all three at one. Not only that, but he has variety in said magic of the Tempests. He's the total package." To Mirajane, it didn't matter.

"I don't care that he has it," she whimpered. "All I want is him back on his feet soon." Mavis did as well before touching his non-kissed cheek.

"I still wanna know what he dreams of," she wished.

"Can you do that?" questioned Lisanna.

"Of course," Mavis assured. "Who knows, I may find a way to break him out of his sleep." She dove in, phasing into Ash's body.

"Be careful, Mavis," Elfman warned.

"I want to have my little brother back," Mirajane cried.

(Dream)

Mavis entered Ash's subconsciousness and she found herself in a coliseum. The sold out crowd cheered as Mavis floated toward Ash in his first garb when he and Pikachu arrived in Magnolia City. There was a giant monitor that had Ash's face and a blond young man in red with a Dragonite. "After Charizard's defeat, Ash has one Pokémon left while Pete's hoping Dragonite can go the distance!" an announcer claimed. The screen only had Pikachu and Dragonite in color while ten other slots were black.

"What's going on?" questioned Mavis. Ash and Pikachu turned to Mavis, rather shocked.

"Mavis?" called Ash. "What are you doing here?"

"That's what I'm here to find out. Are you in a battle?"

"I am. In fact, I'm in the Final in the tournament. I beat Pete, I'm the Pokémon Master!" Ash turned back to Pete and Dragonite. "Let's go!" Pete nodded.

"Dragonite, Aerial Ace!" he called. Dragonite flew in after Pikachu. Ash thought fast.

"Use Iron Tail on the ground!" called out Ash. Pikachu's Iron Tail struck the ground, kicking up dust around him. When Dragonite's shadow emerged, Pikachu ducked Dragonite passing.

"Come around for another attack!" Dragonite heard Pete and swung back around.

"Pikachu, Thunderbolt!" Pikachu unleashed Thunderbolt, striking Dragonite. After a few seconds, Dragonite straightened out.

"Use Twister!" Dragonite flapped its wings so hard, a twister formed.

"Head into the Twister!" Despite the struggle of the twister, Pikachu dashed in and rode the blowing tunnel.

"Dragonite, get ready to use Ice Punch!" Dragonite's claw started to become ice. Looking at the shadow in the twister, Pete snapped his fingers. "Now!" Dragonite dove into the twister and threw the Ice Punch, but Pikachu escaped and Dragonite whiffed.

"It's over! Thunderbolt!" One more Thunderbolt from Pikachu's sacs obliterated the Twister. The Dragon Pokémon fell to the ground, scorched and unconscious. A man in a blue shirt and shorts wove a green flag.

"Dragonite is unable to continue!" he ruled. "Pikachu wins! The Champion is Ash of Pallet Town!" The crowd roared in delight. Ash and Pikachu came back together to celebrate in which Mavis joined in.

"WE'RE #1!" he cheered. Mavis awed the achievement.

"Wanna tell the rest of the guild?" she pointed out. Ash and Pikachu stopped celebrating to note no one from Fairy Tail was there. The crowd went from deafening to silent as the crowd vanished

"Yeah, shouldn't they be here as well? I mean, this is for #1 in the world. Why didn't they come by?"

"Easy, they're waiting for you back there. How long are you gonna be here? Wendy's worried sick, as well as your mom." Ash realized that all of what he was going through wasn't real.

"It did feel too good to be true… but am I back to full strength?" To Mavis, there was a solution.

"Allow me." She flew in and kissed Ash on the lips that caused their bodies to glow before the area.

Eyes began to open and Pikachu was the first to see. ("Ash?") he squeaked. Hearing Pikachu, Delia and May turned to the Mouse Pokémon.

"Pikachu?" the mother called. May and Delia flanked each side of the bed and noticed Ash's eyes opening. "Ash!" A groan from Ash lisped.

"Did I…" he weakly spoke. "Did I… get him?" Hearing Ash speak, a teary-eyed Delia dove to her son.

"You're back!" she cried as she hugged Ash. "Oh, my baby! You're back!" May also started to cry with Macao and Romeo nearby.

"He pulled through," Macao sighed with a smile. Romeo and May held hands as they prayed for Ash to return. Pikachu embraced Ash, grateful to have his friend back.

"I'm sorry for putting you in that situation," Delia apologized. "But yes, you did get him." Natsu, Lucy and Erza reached the Infirmary and saw Ash waking.

"I… wasn't sure that… I did," Ash muttered. Hearing Ash, Lucy rushed over and hugged Ash, his head squished between her bosoms.

"You're finally back!" she yelped. Ash couldn't struggle as his body was stiff. "Oh, I missed you for the few days you couldn't wake up!" Seeing Ash in danger, May and Natsu worked to break her from him.

"Lucy, you're killing him!" shouted Natsu. They succeeded and pulled Lucy off. Ash needed a minute to catch his breath.

"That was close," Erza sighed while donning a white blouse instead of her armor. "Anyway, I'm glad you're finally out of your coma. You had everyone in the guild worried." Erza lifted Ash's head and hugged him, much more gently. "I worried that you were lost, even after the four days you were out!" Tears trickled from Erza's closed eyes.

"You're a tough cookie, Ash," Natsu grinned. Hearing the good news, Asuka raced in and leaped onto his Infirmary bed, missing Ash by inches.

"You're back!" she cheered as she hugged Ash after Erza broke from her hug. "I was so worried!" Ash giggled at Asuka's hug but had no defense for Asuka's kissing barrage. May giggled to Asuka's love.

"I wish I could hug you back, but I can't move that well," Ash apologized.

"That's okay!" smiled Asuka. "I can help!" She lifted Ash's arm out from beneath the blanket.

"That's so nice," Delia chuckled. Pikachu joined and removed Ash's other arm fro beneath the blanket. "I know! Asuka, can you feed my son?"

"Okay!" cheered Asuka while raising her hand.

"Yeah, we'll let you recover!" offered Lucy as Wendy entered to see Ash awake. The rest left.

"Darling?" she called. Ash turned to Wendy as Pikachu reached up to Asuka.

"Wendy…" he greeted. Wendy leaned down and kissed Ash on the lips.

"I'm so glad you're alive after what Erigor did," Wendy cooed. "Lucy was so worried, she cried often on Natsu's chest." Asuka gasped to Wendy's blunt remark.

"Hey, be nice!" she retaliated. Wendy gulped and became silent. "Besides, I wanna sleep with big brother tonight." Wendy giggled to Asuka's claim.

"Ash, do you mind?" she asked. "I mean, I also miss you and want a night as well."

"Not at all," Ash smiled. "You two have done plenty with me. It's okay with you, too?" Asuka nodded to the idea. Ash was fed by Asuka and Delia while Ash regained movement in his limbs. That night, Ash had his arms around Asuka who had her arms around Pikachu. The next morning, Ash was helped up from bed with Wendy and May's help. His arms were slung around their shoulders as Pikachu's parked on Asuka's head.

"Ash, I know I haven't shown much appreciation to you since you helped me get started on Pokémon Training," May started. "It… also doesn't helped that I'm dating Romeo now but, I'd like to give you something for all the trouble." She leaned in and kissed Ash on the cheek. Ash blushed and smiled.

"Thanks…" he chuckled. Wendy giggled, knowing that it's all for friendship. In the guild, Delia and Mirajane were preparing some food when Macao approached the bar.

"Delia?" he spoke. Delia saw Macao who stood a couple of meters away from the bar. Some of the other members cleared a path for Delia to meet with Macao. Outside, the Rave Warriors arrived to the guild's door.

"So, this is the Fairy Tail guild our friends told us about?" believed Haru.

"It has to be," Musica urged. "Their insignia's on that door." Elie carried a couple of presents.

"I heard that Ash was pretty hurt a few days ago," she said. Let and Julia were behind them. They entered the dorm as Ash, Pikachu and the small girls arrived in the main hall. Pikachu dashed over to Elie.

"The air's getting a little tense," Musica pondered. Face-to-face, Macao was with Delia.

"Ever since you and May came to Fairy Tail in search of your son, I soon saw how you and my son interacted, almost to the point where I believed I saw Enno when I first fell in love for her," Macao started. "It was a blessing to know that after our times together and how my teachings saved everyone by Ash first… I fell in love with one woman who can do more than dance. I feel that you may be the mother-figure for Romeo after he grew up without one." That's when he dropped to one knee and presented a tiny ring case. He opened it. "Delia Ketchum… will you marry me?" Delia gasped. Ash gasped.

"Who knew we'd be watching a proposal when we got here?" whispered Julia.

"It's certainly making me think of our relationship, dear," Let muttered. After a minute, Delia dove onto Macao.

"YES!" she cheered. Hearing her accept and embrace Macao, the guild erupted in celebration. Watching his mother want to marry Romeo's father, Ash collapsed as if he fainted.

"Whoa, Ash!" gawked May and Wendy. Seeing Ash fall and being helped up by his girlfriend and other friends, Haru and Let came to Ash as Macao and Delia kissed. Erza turned to see the new arrivals.

"Either you're in shock about your mother accepting Macao's proposal or you're too anxious to move about," she joked. Ash recovered and saw Haru.

"You just got here, Haru?" he asked.

"Hey, we wanted to come here as soon as we heard you in a fierce battle," Haru claimed. Delia saw Ash as Haru and Erza lifted him back to his feet. She donned a silver ring Macao given her.

"Good morning, Ash!" she greeted. "Are you okay?" Ash chuckled as he looked to her.

"I may be recovering but I'm not sure if it's from Erigor or what we came to see?" he wondered. Haru laughed, knowing Ash will be fine. Macao came to see Ash.

"Looks like everyone timed seeing the moment right," he laughed.

"Macao…" named Ash. Macao rested a hand on Ash's head.

"I know… it may be different when we do marry," he informed. "But I also want to make sure you and your mother are happy." Ash smiled as Mimey blinked to seeing the new arrivals. Pikachu was lifted by Elie after they found a table.

"I do get to hold you once more!" she cooed.

("Oh, Elie!") cheered Pikachu. Ash and Wendy introduced the Rave Warriors to others of Fairy Tail and Delia's Mimey.

"Wait, you can name a Pokémon when you claim one?" pondered Musica.

"That's right," Ash agreed. "I could name Torkoal something ridiculous because it's my Pokémon."

"Okay, it's like naming a pet," Elie figured. Delia came in with various dishes.

"Hey, I've been wanting to try some of Mrs. Ketchum's dishes since I heard from Ash," Let smiled.

"Well, I thought since you came to see me accepting Macao's proposal, I thought you'd like to try something from Pallet," Delia briefed.

"If this came from Pallet, I gotta know how to get there," Elie wished.

"Which is funny since I was gonna inform the two about that Teleportation Spell that actually brought her and May here in the first place," Erza informed. Ash, Delia, May and the Pokémon gasped to the news about a method to return home.

"Yo- You mean-?" gulped May.

"You mean, we can go back to the Pokémon World!?" guessed Delia. Erza nodded. Pikachu and Mimey became excited to the news. Elie hugged Pikachu tight.

"I don't wanna let you leave so soon!" she cried.

"Well, if we do succeed," Ash voiced. "We can bring you guys over to see our world at anytime."

"Hey, sign us up for one trip!" cheered Julia as she held Asuka.

"So, if Mommy and Daddy pick up a puppy Pokémon," Asuka wondered. "Could I name it?" Ash and May laughed to the idea.

"Of course, Asuka," May confirmed. Asuka cheered as Ash and Musica turned to Erza.

"So this… Teleportation Spell," Musica started. "This can send Ash and his friends back to their home?"

"Exactly," Erza agreed. "And they can use it to visit us at anytime they'd like."

"That's awesome!" cheered Ash. Erza placed a hand on Ash's shoulder.

"Though, it will take at least a week for you and your mother to learn and master Teleportation Magic before you can return," she warned. To Delia, a trip back home would be worth it.

"I would need time to prepare for the upcoming wedding that I'm now a part of," she smiled. "After all, we do need May back with her brother." Erza had one more piece of information.

"By the way, I issued a contact for Meowth," she reported. "While you were out, an associate I remember came to me and I sent a letter. When you see her, you'll see why Meowth will have a new playmate." Ash, May and Pikachu began to wonder. Outside, Team Natsu, Rave Warriors and the Pokémon crew were outside with Team Rocket tied up. Natsu and Gray brought Jessie forward.

"Listen to me, you two idiots!" she snarled. "Do you have any idea how powerful the twerp's Pikachu is!?" Bare-chested Gray pulled Jessie's head up by the collar.

"Yeah, and we don't give a damn!" he snapped. "Pikachu's with Ash and that's final!"

"So deal with it and shut your trap, Crapface!" growled Natsu. Everyone gawked to Natsu's mocking of Jessie.

"WHAT DID YOU CALL ME!?" she furiously roared.

"Yikes, Natsu," Haru irked. "I can't believe you called her… that."

"What~!?" he shrugged. "That's what she is!"

"Eh… good point," Gray accepted. That's when Ash and Delia stepped up.

"Before we give you up, we've got some frustration we want to release," Delia offered. Team Rocket blinked.

"And luckily, we have the freedom to do this," Ash grinned as he cocked his arm back. He delivered a series pf body blow hooks to Jessie's gut. The punches keeled her over and she vomited. Then, Delia swung an uppercut, catching Jessie's jawline. She fell and became unconscious.

"JESSIE!" cried James and Meowth. Pikachu smiled, knowing that he won't be bothered again.

"See, you'll be with us instead of under risk of being taken ever again," Lucy promised to Pikachu in May's arms. Pikachu's shrill made it clear of his happiness. That's when a rumble came from behind. All looked back and saw a cloud of dust approaching.

"WHERE IS IT!?" a woman cried out. What appeared was a brunette woman in a black bikini and tiny black briefs, a black collar with a bell attached, a black garter clipped to purple striped stockings under black boots, all under a purple cloak. The main item to be seen from her were her cat ears within the messy brown hair and red triangle tattoos under her eyes. Everyone gawked but Natsu freaked.

"MILLIANNA!?" he shrieked. "WHY HER!?" Erza grinned to Millianna's arrival.

"I knew you'd come if I told you about a cat that you'd fancy, Millianna," she determined before lifting Meowth.

"Wait, me with her?" he questioned. Seeing Meowth, Millianna shrilled in delight as she took him from Erza.

"I'll take him!" she cheered. "Oh, I can see us having fun at Mermaid Heel!" Meowth gawked to the fate bestowed onto him. "Thanks, Erza!" Finally, Millianna ran off with Meowth. Now, Ash had to worry about Jessie and James.

"Now what about these two?" wondered Happy. Ash snapped his fingers.

"James, we can send him to the dungeon," he started. "Jessie… I may need Lucy's help." Her name called, Lucy wondered to Ash's plan.

"Why me?" she asked.

"Lucy, could you summon Aquarius?" he requested. Lucy gawked to the idea.

"Aquarius!?" she shrieked. Even Happy didn't like the request. "Are you out of your mind!? You know how pissed off she gets when I summon her!?"

"Aye!" followed Happy. "She's super scary!" Unmoved, Ash trusted his instinct.

"Trust me on this, okay?" he assured. Finding the fountain, Lucy gulped to the outcome.

"I hope you know what you're doing," she sighed. She plunged the key to the fountain. "OPEN, GATE OF THE WATER! COME, AQUARIUS!" With a twist of the key and a flash, Aquarius emerged. When she opened her eyes, Lucy was the first thing she saw.

"This better be good, servant!" she scowled. Lucy and Happy hugged each other out of fear.

"Hey, I missed you," Ash called up. Aquarius turned to Ash and her scowl softened as Delia joined in.

"Ash, I take it you're the one making the arrangement?" she assumed with a smile.

"I am," Ash confirmed.

"So, this is another of Lucy's Celestial Spirits?" questioned Delia. Aquarius noticed the new woman.

"Who is this?" she pointed.

"This is my mom, Delia," Ash introduced.

"Hello, Aquarius," Delia greeted.

"Hello to you too," Aquarius returned before noting the Fairy Tail mark on Ash. "So, you're a wizard?"

"Yep," Ash nodded. "We're both actually."

"Nice work. Anyway, I wonder what the ordeal is that you summoned me? Well, had her summon me."

"Well, I have an offer for you and Scorpio for a servant's job." The offer made Aquarius think.

"Go on…" Instead of answering Aquarius, Ash turned to Natsu and Gray.

"Hey, you wanna bring Jessie over?" The request had Natsu and Gray drag Jessie to Aquarius.

"Here she is," Gray grunted. The chains that were on her when brought forth to the square were checked by Musica.

"Still tight…" he informed. This made Aquarius intrigued.

"Jessie?" she repeated. "You want her as my new slave?" Ash bobbed his head.

"I do," he agreed. "See, she and James were constantly after my Pikachu, no matter where we went or what we did. In fact, they're the reason I came here and fell into your urn after they kidnapped Pikachu from me. We beat them but they never learn."

"Yeah, she sounds like a handful for you."

"…And so, I've decided to hand her over to you so she can serve you and Scorpio. I feel that you know what to do if she gets out of line."

"Oh, believe me…" Pulling by the chain, Aquarius lifted Jessie to her hand. "I know exactly how to take care of her."

"Thanks, Aquarius."

"Oh no… thank you. This way, not only will Pikachu breathe easier but we can give her as much discipline as required. Take it easy from now on." With that, Aquarius and Jessie disappeared. With that, James was alone.

"So, I'm left?" he mentioned.

"At least, you'll be spared in prison," Erza assured. James whined to the outcome before Elfman picked him up.

"Look at it this way," Elfman promised. "At least you won't hear all the complaining." James nodded.

"And it'll be peaceful from here on, I guess," he sighed. With Elfman's help, James was carried away. Erza smirked before turning to the mother and son.

"Ash, Delia," she started. "Ready to start learning how to use the magic to send you home?" Delia, Ash and Pikachu nodded before taking off. A couple of nights later, Wendy joined Ash and Pikachu in the Infirmary bed.

"Still feel wiped out?" she asked.

"Yeah, I know I'm not back at full strength and so does the nurse," Ash admitted.

"But you've been getting better. After all, you did a lot for Fairy Tail. You were meant to have the Trivola Medallion." Wendy's mention made Ash laugh.

"I meant to have more like you. I'm not sure who the real dragon is between us."

"Hey, I have Sky Dragonslayer Magic… you got the heart of the dragon. You don't quit, no matter how bad it gets. I couldn't have chosen a better boyfriend to have than you."

"Hey, you started it with that accidental kiss. It just worked its way to now. I can only wonder if you want to join me in seeing the Pokémon World." It made Wendy nod.

"I do… and I do wanna see your friends. Who knows, I may call it home and be with you for life."

"That would be awesome to have." The two kissed while Pikachu smiled. When the two kids began to sleep, Pikachu sneaked in and wedge himself between Ash and Wendy. It won't be long before Ash, May, Delia and the Pokémon return home but at least one wizard wants to join.

TO BE CONCLUDED...