[] Hello, will update daily on this story. 2nd story on a Pokemon love story[]
[] Sorry for the last week and a half. Cold, Sickness, and had to shovel the Wall from Game of Thrones. Other than that, will try to update asap. Thanks for your patience[]
Chapter 1 - A Poison Dilemma
After a successful concert last night in Viridian City, Homika, lead singer and bass guitarist of "Koffing and the Toxics"; along with drummer Nicky and guitarist Billy Jo, was on 'Pokemon Talk' with Nurse Joy, an talk radio/tv show, for an entertainment interview. Nurse Joy, normally in her pink uniform with white apron, and trademark nurse cap, interviews the Trio on their performance. "We have Roxie, Nicky, and Billy Jo, from the Unova rock band, Koffing and the Toxics! ((The band waved hello and said hello to Nurse Joy)) Last night you guys rocked the Viridian City crowd, and that was your last concert of the 2nd stint of Kanto. Any next gigs, while you're off from gym duties in Virbank City?" Homika, wearing a loosey blue dress with magenta-purple stripes over a black vest top and long black boots with teal platforms yawned slightly; a bit tired after a couple of concerts, but gave a smile to Joy and her fans on tv. "It's a blast sharing my love of music with the fans. But right now its a rare time for us to not do much." Nurse Joy heard love and had a smirk on her face. "Speaking of love, its near Valentine's Day, and I'm wondering do any of you guys have a special person to share on this day?" That threw the band off for a moment, considering Nicky has a wife, Billy Jo has a two year boyfriend, and Homika...needless to say, the single one. Billy Jo and Nicky knew who Homika had a crush on, but had to hold their snickers. Homika knew this was coming and sighed a bit, seeing her bandmates snicker. "I do have someone, but I can't disclose too much right now." She was lying, considering her fans would know. But Nicky smirked and ruffled up her white hair, and replied. "Don't worry about our poison queen, she's a bit shy about revealing her crush." Homika's face turn red, as she glared at Nicky "Nicky! I don't have a crush. I swear!" Nurse Joy calmed the trio down, before it got ugly, as she would speak to Homika. "Why so shy about your love interest? Is it someone that you fought at your gym before?" At least that question calmed the group down. But Homika was shaking a bit, but she couldn't say, considering the last trainer who beat her, hasn't been around in such a long time. Maybe she forgot to give that trainer a phone number. "Hard to say, if I did had a crush, he wouldn't be around to see. ((all she could see is Nicky and Billy Jo, grinning from ear to ear, as she 'finally' admitted she had a crush on someone.)) Maybe my luck will turn around in time for Valentine's day. ((Though that was soft and sweet, she shook that off quickly)) But he better Rock like Hell! I'm always on 10, and he better be at that level or else!" Though it was a way to mask her vulnerability, it got Nurse Joy pumped. "I'm glad to see that confidence of yours! I hope everyone can find love on this special day. We'll be back with Professor Berk with his new analysis on some new fossils, back after this."
The set was all clear, as Homika left in a hurry, pissed and wanted to kill her bandmates for making her squirm like that. Billy Jo caught up to her and wanted to apologize. "Hey Homika, sorry about that. But at some point, you're going to have to admit you like that trainer who gave you quite a rush." Homika looked at her, and wanted to slap her, but sighed as she knew it was the truth. "Okay, so how to find a guy that's probably out on some journey, or with some new squeeze?" Before Billy Jo can reply, Nicky checked out his phone and typed in the name. "Well, last time I spotted your friend, he's heading home from Galar." Homika quickly grabbed the phone and looked "So he's heading home. ((she couldn't believe her luck, but that desperate look only gave Nicky and Billy Jo, another reason to tease her)) How can I tell him how I feel? Or if?" Billy Jo grinned, as she pulled out her phone and spotted a unique little site. "My boyfriend sent me a lovely berry basket with a teddy bear last Valentine's day. I think he might appreciate the offer. Maybe a hint of who you are." Nicky gave a wink to Homika, as she would show her the berry site. "And this will help?" Nicky nodded, but gave one note. "Don't order the Tamato berry. ((she giggles)) unless you want to drive him out away from your life." Homika glared, but had an idea and ordered a basket of Pecha berries with a nice Pikachu plush. With Billy Jo getting the address to almost finish the check out, as it contains a note. "What to put on the note oh poison queen" He snickered, but wanted to help her out. Homika shook her head, and put on the note "To cure a Poison heart, have a hearty berry" She didn't put her name, as he wanted him to find her, but it would be a bit of cat and mouse, as she tend to toy with her opponents. Though this is one battle she's not used to. "Come on my little poison queen, lets set up the next little surprise!" Nicky would lead her friend off, as hopefully things will go well.
Two days later, Ash would arrive at Kanto Airport, after a great time in the Galar region. A semi-final finish, and a bunch of new friends and pokemon, he would be with his partner pikachu, head on home in Pallet Town. Once he would arrive at his home, his mom Delia and her pokemon Mr. Mime would greet him and hug him. "Oh my Ash, you look well...did you remember to change your you know what each day?" Ash gasped but nodded, as he knew that she meant underwear. "I always do mom; besides I have some new pokemon that I want to show you." Delia smiled, but noticed the mailman coming by with a large berry basket. "Good day Mr. Ross ((the mailman)), who is the basket for?" The mailman smiled and nods "Believe it or not Delia, it's for your son." Ash was surprised to say the least. He returns home and gets a berry basket. He looked at the basket and saw no return address. "Mr. Ross, do you know who sent the basket?" The mailman sighed 'I'm afraid not Ash. But given "around this time before Valentine's Day, probably a crush or someone that you know that wants to express her feelings." That made Delia's day, considering she was wondering when will he have someone someday. "Aww, my Ashy has a girlfriend!" Ash, embarrassed, and hid his flushed face "Mom! I don't have a girlfriend. And besides, who would know our address not to have a return one?" Mr. Ross nodded, as he checked out the note "Hmmm, 'To Cure a Poison Heart, have a Hearty Berry' ((he scratched his head about the note)) Well, I don't know about the message, but Pecha berries cure poison attacks. So maybe her fear of love is the poison and maybe you're the berry to cure her of it." Ash was confused, given all of it. But saw pikachu playing with a plush that looks like him. He would gently rub his back as he saw the note again. "Maybe you're right, but still strange that someone knows my address, and sent this out to me." Delia had to agree as well. As much as she wanted her baby to find love, this was weird. Mr. Ross waved to the two as he had his rounds and leaves. Ash and Delia looked at the basket and saw just Pecha berries, and the shop tag. Delia would grab the tag as she would try to see if the company knows who sent then the basket. "Sweetie, can you bring the berries inside?'" Ash nodded, as he would bring the basket, as pikachu picked up one dropped berry, and followed suit. Once inside, Ash would try to ponder who would sent him the basket and plush. "Hey Pikachu, you know who would sent me the basket?" Pikachu looked on and shook his head no "Pika." Ash nodded, as he would lay on the couch, pondering all the possible girls and/or gym leaders he's met. Pikachu noticed Ash for the first time in deep though, and that was something. Maybe Ash is curious about the possibility of having a girlfriend. Meanwhile, Delia called the berry company, and had no luck in the return address. "Okay thank you. ((she hung up the phone and headed over to the living room and saw her son pondering, with a berry in his hand. Like pikachu, this was either a rare or the first time seeing him like this. But the fact that he may have someone that actually wants to be with him, maybe that hit him like a ton of bricks. She was concerned, so she would check up on him.)) Ash, are you alright?" He looked up at her mom and smiled "Yes, just so strange to receive a gift with no name on it" She nodded and would lean in to hug him. "Who knows, the person is just as nervous as you are." Ash shook his head and was flushed. "Mom! I don't have a girlfriend, believe me." Delia chuckled, but poked his nose playfully "Alright, but if you want to meet her someday, you'll have to shower. You forgot you just returned from a long flight." Ash knew what she meant and nodded. Maybe a good shower will clear his head.
While Ash was in the shower, Delia would make a video phone call to Alola. In particular Ash's godparents Professors Kukui and Burnet. She wanted to get their take on this particular situation, considering her love life wasn't exactly up to par. "Alola professors!" Burnet saw the call and grinned, hoping it was her god son. "Alola Ash...oops! ((she could see her love Kukui chuckling, while holding their son Lei. Apparently this wasn't the first awkward moment)) I'm sorry Delia. Just when I see a call from Kanto, I assume.." Kukui looked over and replied "I'm sorry Delia ((he chuckled, looking at his wife)) we just can't help it" Delia smiled and nodded. "Speaking of Ash, we received a lovely pecha berry basket from someone, assuming a girl, but no return address, nor name. I'm glad someone has a crush on my Ashy. But I'm just concerned it may be a prank at his expense." Both Kukui and Burnet nodded as they looked at Delia. Kukui would respond. "Well, we are close to Valentine's Day, so there are cases of secret admirer gifts going about. So maybe your son is lucky enough to have one, that truly loves him." Burnet nodded, as she knew what Delia was referring to, but had to keep mum about it. "Sometimes young ladies are shy, because they are afraid of being rejected, so they send gifts over. ((she grinned, as she knew she had plenty of gifts over the years)) For your son, this is something of maybe a new beginning of love." Delia smiled, but was hesitant. Kukui noticed that, and asked her. "Delia, what's wrong? You're more nervous than usual. Is it because of this special day?" Delia sighed as she couldn't hold it any longer. "I'm sorry, for me Valentine's Day is nothing I would love to celebrate." Burnet looked over and had an inkling of where this was going. "He left you? Because Ash never mentioned once about his father. So not to pry, but is that?" Delia nodded and took a deep breath "He was supposed to be on a short journey. But that was at least one year. I was watching television at the time, and I saw him with a new woman, his 'wife'. My heart dropped and I was in complete shock. One, he never told me he wanted to just leave me and my son. And two he would move on with some woman that will love him for just his looks and/or money. ((Burnet and Kukui felt that and didn't say more)) After what you might say was a few minutes of 'emotional distress' ((meaning grabbing her rolling pin and beat the television to a pulp to relieve her anger.)) I immediately filed for divorce and child custody." Burnet would chimed in "I'm sorry Delia. I could see why you're protective of your son's feelings. But at some point he'll have to learn the slings and arrows of love. It won't be like in those fairy tales. But he'll grow from it and it will make him much better." Delia nodded and wiped a tear. "Thank you. But I'm curious Kukui, has Ash had a crush on any girls in Alola?" That took Kukui for a loop for a moment. "Not that I know of. But the pecha berries in question isn't from Alola. So they are not on the list, in case you're inquiring." Delia was scratching her head, trying to think of other girls that Ash met, but even she was stumped. "I'm now more excited for him, but what should he give her?" Burnet smiled and poked the screen, trying to poke Delia's nose "Do not pry. Let him do the gift giving. If I know my god son ((Kukui nodded)), he's probably thinking of who he's befriended has a crush on him. And if he figures it out, he'll pick out the gift." Kukui would respond "My little god son has a crush, his emotions are probably all over the place, so I would give him a bit of space. But flowers are a good first start." Delia smiled by this advice and thanked them for their help. "Thank you once again, and..do you know a good chutney recipe for pecha berries?" That request was a bit odd, but the two chuckled, considering all of those pecha berries. "I'll send you a recipe shortly Delia." Burnet replied, as Delia could hear the shower turn off. She didn't want Ash to hear the conversation. "Alright you guys, thank you, and Alola." Both professors replied "Alola!" As Delia turned off the phone, Burnet and Kukui breathed a sigh of relief. "That was too close. ((Kukui handed Lei over to Burnet, as he wiped the sweat off his forehead)) If Delia knew who likes Ash..." Burnet nodded and replied. "I agree, but she was asking out of concern. ((she sighed as that story about Delia's ex was telling)) She didn't want the same tragedy to happen to Ash, like what happened to her." Kukui nodded and reply. "True, but we don't know if the girl is seeking a relationship. Maybe just a date, and who knows what can lead up to." Burnet nodded and kissed her hubby's cheek. "That's why I love you so."
A few minutes later, Ash dried off and got dressed, as he would rush down to the kitchen and his eyes twitched a bit. It was a weird smell brewing in the pot, as his mom was looking over at a recipe. "Mom, what is that in the pot?" She smiled, seeing her baby all cleaned up. "Well, I'm making a chutney. Something to use from the abundance of pecha berries you received." Ash looked a bit confused at the name. "A Chutney?" Delia giggled as she replied. "Its more of a condiment for all varieties of foods. ((she smiled as she turned down the heat, and stirred the pot)) It's a recipe I picked up from your god mom Burnet." Ash couldn't believe that Burnet had called and was a bit disappointed. "She just called?" Delia nodded and smiled. "Don't worry, there doing great. ((she knew he missed them just as much as Burnet and Kukui, hence she made them god parents.)) They were concerned as well, but Kukui confirmed that your gift is nothing malicious. And I should let the chips fall in who the person wants to see you." Ash smiled and hugged her, as it seemed he had a clue on few possible girls. "After lunch, I have to head to see Professor Oak, so he can check out my new pokemon from Galar; And I'll probably head out to shop for your gift and..." Delia heard that pause, and smirked. "Sweetie, I take it you're anticipating the arrival of the girl?" Ash gasped and wanted to hide his face. He knew mom could see right through him "It's not like that...though I don't want her to not have a gift, after I received one." Delia smiled, was going to admit Kukui and Burnet was right. But she was seeing her baby growing up so fast, its hard to imagine him alone. "Mime Mime!" Out of a daze, Delia realized her chutney needed tlc and she went back to stirring. "Thank you Mimey!" Mr. Mime nodded "Mime mime!" Ash would make himself a sandwich and eat it, as he wanted to head to Oaks as quickly as possible. But as he was eating, he was scratching his forehead, in a thought of the girl he thinks sent him the berries. "Sweetie, remember to chew and swallow your food; not rush out and have your potential girlfriend worried." That nearly had Ash gasped about that, as he took a quick sip of juice. "Mom, it's not like that. I'm just curious and excited about it. But I just don't know. I know a few that would use berries and..." He was cut off as Delia replied "So, who are my future daughters in laws?" Ash shook it off, and would soon finish, and would head out, waving to his mom, before heading out to see Professor Oak's laboratory. As he left, Pikachu would follow him, as he was curious about his trainer's situation. And he was not used to seeing Ash in a pondering state. So he would hop onto his shoulder and ask him. "Pika? Pika Pika? ((Hey, are you okay?))" Ash smiled, and rubbed his back gently "I'm okay buddy. Just thinking about the girl. ((Pikachu nodded and playfully kissed his cheek gently)) hey! ((he laughed at that kiss)) I'm not thinking about kisses. ((Though was not the first time he was kissed. Considering who kissed him: Misty, Serena, Latias, Melody, etc)) But I'm thinking it maybe be a gym leader." Pikachu was intrigued by the options, but would just hang onto Ash and they would head to Oaks.
In Cerulean City, Roxie would be on the top of her tour van, as she was in deep thought. She was plying a few strings and chords; before playing a soft ballad. This was her rare moment to let down her guard, as Billy Jo and Nicky were out shopping. Her mind was clear on one thing:
"…I never did believe in miracles,
But I've a feeling it's time to try.
I never did believe in the ways of magic,
But I'm beginning to wonder why…" [[Fleetwood Mac – "You Make Loving Fun]]
She stopped for a moment, as she put down the guitar and pulls out a locket and opens it. Its a picture of her and her parents. The mom with lavender and sky blue streaks, and wearing a Toxicroak shirt. Her father, long brown hair, glasses, and wearing a suit and tie. She sighed as she looked at picture. I wished you can give me strength to just say that I want to say. To tell him how I feel. I want to be at 10, but i'm only at 2. ((She closed the locket, as she spotted Billy Jo with some seafood, from the Cerulean Crabby Shack)) Hey girl, did you order the crabby cakes?" Billy Jo nodded and waved to her with her free hand "Come on down, and I dig that little lover lorn's song" She grinned, knowing that would get Homika riled up "Billy Jo you little!" Homika would chase after Billy Jo, as that was the relief she needed for now. But she knew she'll have to hurry before she loses her one chance to meet up with him.
{} END OF CHAPTER 1 {}
{}In case you're wondering about the locket and her parents, its a play on an episode long ago. But that's for chapter 2 {}