Chapter 4: Mossy Town
Ash and Alice finally walk through Route 1, they are now at the next town, Mossy Town. "At least we can stay a night at the Pokemon Center instead of camping today."
"Yeah." Alice says, "I can't wait to sleep on the bed. Don't get me wrong, camping is a great experience, but it will be better if we sleep on something soft instead of the sleeping bag."
"That is true after all." Ash says as the two of them enter the Pokemon Center, then they have their Pokemon checked up. Ash notices some people sitting at the place with sofas and chairs. He is confused as they see a lot of trainers seem to be talking there. "Hey, Alice. What is that place?"
"Oh, that is the quest area, you see. Our region is a friendly region, as we accept quests from other people and we can also make quests as well. Like they need items or something they lost, or also trading Pokemon." Alice says.
"That is so cool, and there are two people here. How about we try out helping one of them?" Ash says.
"Of course, you can try it out as your first time." Alice smiles as they go to the quest area. They decide to find the boy and then Ash asks, "Excuse me, are you the one that needs some help?"
The boy is surprised to see a couple walking towards them, he says, "Hey, you. Are you a new trainer?"
"Well, I have been traveling for a long time." Ash says.
"And I am a Gym Leader having a vacation." Alice says, causing the boy to get surprised at first.
"Then it should be easy. I walked through the Route 1 and then I saw this beautiful girl... I don't have the courage to talk to her, but I wrote a letter! Could you bring this letter to her, please?"
The boy takes out a letter and Ash takes it. He nods and says, "Sure."
Then they go back to Route 1, they deliver the letter to a girl, after the girl reads it, she decides to go to Mossy Town to meet the boy. Once they are back at the Pokemon Center, they see that the two people are talking happily.
"It seems like those two are really in love." Alice says.
"Yeah, I wonder if I have the chance to experience first hand..." Ash says without thinking, and then he covers his mouth quickly.
"Ash..." Alice asks with a little blush. "I know it is a sudden, but have you ever been in love before?"
Ash blushes a little at the question, but then he frowns, "Well...I did, but that love is broken ever since they betrayed me..."
"You mean you loved one of the traitors who killed your Pokemon?" Alice asks in surprise.
"No, two of them. Their names are Serena and Lillie...Serena was my childhood friend, she travels with me just because she wants to find me after those years, and she follows the motto of never give up until it is over. Heck, she even give me a kiss when we are leaving the airport." Ash says, causing Alice to be a little jealous. Ash notices it and he says, "But her betrayal also hurts the most."
"How about the other one?" Alice asks.
"I meet Lillie at Alola, at first she is unable to touch any Pokemon, but after we helped her family with the Ultra Beasts, you know, Pokemon from other dimension, and then she starts to show some feelings for me. We even dance together at Professor Kukui's wedding ball, and we even enter the League together...but in the end, she also betrays me."
Ash holds his face with sadness, "After all I have done for them, they still killed Professor Oak and my Pokemon...they also injured me and Mother..." Ash says as he can feel his eyes being sour.
Alice gives him a comfort hug and thinks, "Poor Ash...just how much sadness did he keep in his heart...I promise that I will repair your heart no matter what."
After Ash feeling better, he turns to Alice, "What about you? Alice? Did you ever feel love before?"
Alice looks away a little and says, "My life has always been a mess because of bullies in my school, so I don't know what it feels to be loved. Rodney is my only friend back then, but come to think of it, I never consider him a boyfriend or something else, instead, I feel like he is like my brother."
"I see." Ash sighs in relief, much to Alice's confusion. "Is he sighing in relief? Why is he doing that?" Alice wonders.
As for Ash, he is also confused about his actions and he thinks, "Why am I this relieved?"
Just then, they see both Rodney and Keira in the Pokemon Center, so they greet them. Keira asks, "Hey guys, how is your journey?"
"Great, I managed to capture three more Pokemon." Ash says as he shows the Pokemon.
"That is cool." Rodney says. "You know, since we are friends, how about we get some healthy competition? Let's become rivals. Let's see who can be the best and strongest, it'll be great."
"He is right, we are going to partake the leagues and also challenge the gyms as well. May the best trainer goes on top." Keira says.
"If that's the case." Alice says. "The first Gym is located at the Serpentine City. It is across the Mossy Forest. Maybe we can find more of your friends in the Mossy Forest."
"I agree." Ash says. "I am worried about everyone of them after all."
"But first, we have to battle." Keira says. "Rodney and I already have our battles, so it is your turn, Ash."
"Sure." Ash says as they go to the battlefield.
"Go! Herovor!" Keira sends out her Pokemon.
"Budcheep, I choose you!" Ash says as the Pokemon appears. Budcheep flies into the air and Ash says, "I know this is your first battle as a Budcheep, but let's do our best."
Budcheep nods and then the battle starts Herovor uses Leaf Darts first, but Budcheep dodges with Gust. Budcheep then uses Echoed Voice, causing the Herovor to Withdraw so as to lower the noise. In the end, Herovor is defeated by a Peck on the head.
"I guess I haven't trained much." Keira sighs. "You sure are strong like the news say."
"Thanks." Ash says. "Even though this is the first time I battle with Budcheep."
"Now it is my turn." Rodney says as he sends out the Salatad.
"Pikachu, I choose you!" Ash says as the Pokemon jumps onto the battlefield. It catches the attention of the crowd since Pikachu is really rare in the region.
"Salatad, use Bubble!" "Don't let it hit you, Quick Attack!"
The two Pokemon give their best shot on the battles, but Pikachu is still stronger, with a Thunderbolt, it defeats Salatad easily.
"I know I shouldn't use Salatad against Pikachu, but oh well." Rodney sighs.
"Ash, you really are amazing." Alice says. "Your Pikachu really is strong."
"Thanks, Alice." Ash says with a smile. "Pikachu is my starter Pokemon after all, we shared a strong bond and I trust him a lot."
"That is cool, I can't wait to do that with Herovor." Keira says.
"Me too, with Salatad of course." Rodney says.
That night, after bidding farewell to Keira and Rodney, who decide to stay at Keira's house for the night, Ash and Alice finally book a room inside the Pokemon Center. But much to their surprise, there is only one master bed.
"A Master Bed..." Alice mutters.
"Yeah, but this is the only room left for today...we aren't able to switch rooms." Ash says.
"Um...what should we do?" Alice turns to Ash with a blush.
"I guess that I'll use the Sleeping Bag." Ash says as he decides to open his backpack, but Alice stops him.
"No, you are the prince, and prince shouldn't sleep on the floor. I'll do it." Alice says.
This causes them to get awkward as they don't know what to do. Ash sighs as he knows that there is only an option left, "Why don't we share a bed together?"
"You mean...we sleep together in the same bed?" Alice blushes at the thought of sleeping with Ash.
"That is if you want to..." Ash asks, also blushing with the thought of sleeping with Alice.
"I guess we should do it..." Alice says as the two of them change into their pajamas and also take a shower. Once they are on the bed, Ash faces towards Alice and says, "Good night, Alice."
"Good night, Ash..." Alice says as they close their eyes, trying to sleep.
In the dreams, Alice sees that she is now back in her old school days, she sees nine people, who have been trying to do some pranks on her. Her thoughts go to her first crush, the boy who saved her from being raped by rapists, but then the boy turns on her and he bullies her along with the others. There is one person who also bosses her and treats her like a slave, the person is actually the first crush's girlfriend, and that is why she is traumatized.
Just then, Ash feels the bed is shaking a little and he opens one of his eyes, and then he notices that Alice is trembling and her eyes are open with fear. Ash decides to ask, "What's wrong? Are you having a nightmare?"
Alice turns to Ash, who is looking at her with worry, she says, "I am sorry that I wake you up, I just had a nightmare."
Ash sighs and then he wraps his arms around her. Then he starts to sing, "Many nights we prayed
With no proof anyone could hear
In our hearts a hope for a song
We barely understood
Now we are not afraid
Although we know there's much to fear
We were moving mountains
Long before we knew we could
There can be miracles
When you believe
Though hope is frail
Its hard to kill
Who knows what miracles
You can achieve
When you believe somehow you will
You will when you believe
Ash whispers into her ear, "Feeling better?"
Alice feels the warmth from the hug and somehow she feels calm, she nods and says, "I guess so." Then she starts to continue the song.
"In this time of fear
When prayer so often proves in vain
Hope seems like the summer birds
Too swiftly flown away
Yet now I'm standing here
My hearts so full, I can't explain
Seeking faith and speakin' words
I never thought I'd say
There can be miracles
When you believe
Though hope is frail
Its hard to kill
Who knows what miracles
You can achieve
When you believe somehow you will
You will when you believe"
"My mother will sing this song to me when I couldn't sleep when I was a child. I think it maybe helpful." Ash says.
Alice nods and says, "My mother did the same thing to me as well, I am glad that you can sing this to me..." Alice smiles back.
"There can be miracles
When you believe
Though hope is frail
Its hard to kill
Who knows what miracles
You can achieve
When you believe somehow you will
You will when you believe."
After singing, Alice says with a shy tone, "Can you cuddle me for the rest of the night?"
Ash feels his face burning hot and he says, "If it will make you feel better..." Then Alice turns around and faces Ash as she snuggles into his chest, Ash also wraps his arms again and they close their eyes once more to sleep.
Here is a new chapter, and Ash and Alice starts to give hints about their love to each other, when will they confess? Find out in the future chapters. The next chapter will be the traitors.
