Cerulean City (Night)
After his aunts hugged and kissed him Satoshi was finally peace. As he continued gazing at the stars above him he ate his piece of chocolate cake, his aunts were chilling by the gigantic Olympic size pool in the backyard.
"Young man, I believe that's your fourth slice of cake for tonight?"
Startled by the voice Satoshi jumped from his seat to see his Mom somewhat glaring at him.
"uh..." Satoshi managed to say.
Misty then laughed softly as she took a seat next to her son and wrapped her arm around him as she gazed at the stars.
"So tell me all about the camp. I believe you didn't get to tell me anything as your dear aunts had to steal you from me."
Satoshi laughed lightly.
"You think it's funny? I now know how James felt when he found out Daisy robbed you to the airport so she could drop you off at camp. It was supposed to be James."
Satoshi snickered at that.
Misty groaned before saying "Why didn't they get married and have kids so they would stop stealing you!"
Satoshi then fixed his eyes at the pool and continued admiring it. It was amazing. It was huge and had smooth black rocks in the edges making it seem like some sort of natural volcanic born pool.
"Mom I love your pool." Satoshi blurted out.
"Nothing's new... it's just as Mom-like as it's always been. So... tell me... Did you like everyone? Was it fun?"
"Yeah, it was great and I became great friends with this one kid. They were from Pallet Town, actually."
Satoshi then slightly smirked as he asked: "Have you ever been to Pallet Town?"
Misty hummed softly as she closed her eyes before saying softly "Yes... once. But that was a long time ago. I think before you were even born."
Satoshi grinned as he caught his mom humming and looking at the stars as she ruffled his hair softly.
Pallet Town (Morning)
Hamako looked in awe at the rambling Victorian-style ranch house, with a wide porch that wrapped around the entire facade. Ash then toots the horn of the car as he drives down the long gravel driveway. Hamako awed in amazement as he saw a yellow rodent, race after the car, as fast as lightning.
Brock stood at the bottom of the stairway to the house. He had just come out of the side of the house, drinking a bottle of orange juice. He then opened the car's door for Hamako as he grinned at the kid.
"Well, look who finally decided to come home."
"Hey, Uncle Brock."
"Did your old man tell you we decided no more camp for you?"
"Yeah, he told me," Hamako replied as he climbed out of the car.
Brock then got ahold of Hamako as he gave him a tight hug "The moment you left it got too quiet around here. Everyone couldn't stand it. Nobody blasting music, nobody playing hide and seek in the vineyards, nobody playing with the pokèmons, nobody getting stuck up on the roof..."
Hamako laughed when all of a sudden the screen door swung open and his nanny Jessie came out. As Hamako admired Jessie's beautiful magenta hair color Jessie rushed down the stairs before yanking Hamako off Brock and lifting Hamako right off his feet.
"Hell-o, Handsome! You grew, you lost weight, you look dashing, we missed you, don't let these bums talk you out of, going back to camp. You're a growing boy. You need adventure, no one stopped your father! Are you hungry? I made cornbread and chili. Why're you so quiet? What's wrong?"
"I'm just so happy to be home."
Ash then passed them carrying the duffle bag before asking Jessie with wide eyes "Did I hear something about cornbread and chili?"
Jessie's gaze never left Hamako's face as she replied to Ash "It's on the stove." She then scolded at Brock as she saw him from the corner of her eye.
"Wipe your feet before entering the house, Brock!"
"You've changed Satoshi... I can't put my finger on it, but something about you has definitely changed.."
Pikachu bounced down the steps of the porch.
Hamako tried to play it cool as he replied to Jessie, "Really? Me?"
Hamako then focused on the yellow rodent as he happily said, "Hi, Pikachu!"
Pikachu sniffed at Hamako's hand slightly and then looked up at him. There is no reaction. He just stared at him.
Pikachu then jumped up to Jessie's shoulder and continued staring at Hamako.
"What's with you, goofball! It's Satoshi."
Pikachu continued staring at Hamako.
Hamako slightly shrugged as he replied, "I probably smell like camp, that's all."
Hamako then ran up the porch steps, followed by Jessie and a dazed Pikachu.
Jessie tapped Pikachu's forehead lightly as she said, "What's wrong with you Pikachu? It's like you didn't even recognize him."
Inside the house is a spacious comfortable style ranch house living room with high ceilings and panoramic views of the vineyards.
"Wow! It's even better than how Satoshi described it." Hamako mumbled to himself.
Jessie then came into the room and said "Whaddya want to do first, kiddo - unpack or eat? Or eat, then unpack? Or, we can eat while we unpack.."
Hamako gawked at Jessie as a blurted out, "You mean I can eat in my room?"
Jessie looked at Hamako stupidly before she said laughing, "Yes, I would say that's a definite possibility."
As Jessie and Hamako head up the stairs, Ash comes in, eating a big bowl of chili and cornbread.
"Satoshi when you're done, come on down, there's someone I want you to meet," Ash said grinning before walking away.
Hamako just nodded before smiling.
After entering his room Hamako turns around to Jessie before asking, "Someone he wants me to meet?"
Jessie slightly shook her head as she said, "He didn't tell you?"
"Tell me what?" Hamako questions before he hears the sound of a woman laughing outside. Hamako then walks up to the room's small balcony and looks down.
He then sees outside in the ranch corridor a young woman, around 23 years old, laughing and giggling with his dad.
She has a good fashion taste, Hamako will give her that. She's wearing a sleeveless black dress and black heels while wearing a big white summer hat.
She has like dirty blondish hair and before Hamako could see her face she yanks Ash's hand and pulls him out of his view.
Hamako looks back to Jessie and mouths "Who is that?" Jessie motions to Hamako to come inside the room.
The room is sunny, warmly furnished with lots of official Pokèmon League posters, CD's, Rapidash show ribbons, and pokèmon plushies. The French doors are wide open and a gentle breeze billows the curtains from the balcony.
Hamako then raises an eyebrow.
"Who's the blondie?"
Jessie sighs as she replies, "Satoshi dear, it's none of my business how your father makes a fool out of himself, you understand? He's ..well. ..a big boy, he can do what he wants."
Hamako nods.
"Right. So who is she?"
"Her name's Serena Ayakashi. She's a publicist and performer from Vaniville Town. Your father hired her at the beginning of last month to do some publicity for the vineyard and the pokèmons. If you ask me, she's done a better job selling herself than the grapes."
"Whaddya mean?"
Jessie sighs before she says,
"Look, you and I know your Dad's no suave debonair Bachelor of the Month-type, so I wonder what a young hot thing like her sees in a guy who walks around with his shirt-tail hanging out and his cereal bowl full of chili. Then I realized, there are a million reasons why that girl's giggling and they're all sitting in the Pallet Town Community Bank."
"You mean you don't think she even really likes Dad..."
Jessie shrugs.
"What do I know? But I'll tell you one thing. She's got your father eating out of the palm of her hand. They ride together, they swim together, they're out to dinner every night. You go down and meet her and see for yourself. Don't let me influence you."
Pallet Town, Ketchum's Backyard
Hamako later joins them under an umbrella. The vineyards and mountains cascade down from the patio creating an incredible vista.
"There's my son! I want you to meet a friend of mine, Serena Ayakashi."
"Hi..."
"Hi. Wow. I can't believe I'm finally meeting the famous Satoshi."
"Really? Well ... here I am." Hamako said proudly.
"Babe he's cute."
Ash rolls his eyes when he sees Hamako smirk when Serena says "Babe."
"The way your father talked about you... I expected to meet a little boy but you're so grown up..."
Hamako raised an eyebrow at this comment.
"I may look mature but I'm still a kid. I'll be ten soon. How old are you?"
Serena looked a little thrown back before replying "Recently turned twenty-three."
"Only thirteenth years older than me. How old are you again, Dad?"
Ash almost chocked at that question.
"Oh, suddenly he's interested in math. I'm gonna get some more chili and a bottle of champagne to celebrate."
Hamako then asked, "What are we celebrating?"
Ash then pauses. He looks like he got caught doing something illegal.
Serena then jumped in as she exclaimed: "You're home-coming of course."
Ash and Serena exchanged a quick look which Hamako did not loose. Ash heads toward the house as Hamako sits next to a Squirtle pokèmon.
A cell phone's ring interrupts the peaceful scenery. Serena then answers the call.
"Hello? Yes, Trainer Red... Uh-huh. I'll certainly ask him but I doubt if he'll be available. I understand it's for a local charity and he's the Pokèmon Master and all. Um-hmmm... I'm writing it all down."
Hamako raises an eyebrow at that as she doesn't write anything down.
"Okay, got it. Sounds very worthwhile, I-agree but unfortunately, I see that Mr. Ketchum will be out of the country those days. Yes, I'll be sure to mention it to him. Thank you.."
Serena then ends the call.
She then looks at Hamako as she asks "So...how was camp, Satoshi? Was it fabulous?"
"Yes, I loved it actually. My Dad's going out of the country? When?"
Serena then stutters and replies
"No, no, I just had to say that to get him out of something. Uh..you know I never heard a man talk about his son the way Babe talks about you. You two are obviously incredibly close."
Hamako smiled at this as he replied "We're closer than close. We're all that each other has..."
Hamako then asks Squirtle to spray water on the roses in the garden. This causes some water droplets to splash Serena.
Pissed, but somehow controlling it, Serena then walks to one of the wooden chairs and picks up a towel and pats herself dry as Hamako places his attention back to her.
"Sorry, did I get you wet, Ser?"
Serena tried to be sweet as she replied "Just a little Satoshi.."
She then flickered her eyes back at Satoshi as she said with a fake pout "Hey, guess what? Your Dad took me riding the other day and he let me ride your Rapidash. I hope that's okay with you."
Hamako gave a small smile.
"It's alright."
Just then Ash came back eating a slice of cornbread and placed his arm around Hamako as he asked how everything was going.
"Great." both Serena and Hamako replied before Serena began to complain to Ash on how fat he would get if he continued eating like an animal.
Cerulean City (Morning)
Satoshi moaned as he devoured his chocolate chip pancakes and berries.
Currently, he was sitting on the island of the kitchen room looking at the ocean view from the giant glass window. Misty was sitting down beside him with a very annoyed look in her face as she talked on the house phone.
Satoshi studied the ocean and saw how calm the waves sounded. Nothing compared to his home. It was all mountains and the sound of rustling trees.
With a groan, Misty ends the phone call and looks at James with an annoyed expression.
"I take it there's trouble in paradise?" James joked as he served her coffee.
"Yes. I need to go to the gym cause apparently there's this one challenger who refuses to have a match with Daisy. It has to be me." Misty groaned as she placed her face into her hands.
"What's wrong about that?" Satoshi asked.
James and Misty raised an eyebrow at his question.
"Hamako.. your mom never works during the summer. She spends all holidays and the whole summer dedicating time for you."
"Oh yeah.." Satoshi said.
Misty then looked at Satoshi as she asked him softly "Would you mind very much running down to the gym with me?"
As Satoshi and Misty bike down their private mountain and into the city, there is a lot of taxi cabs and traffic. However, the majority of the people (especially tourists) gawk at Misty.
Only Cerulean City residents all know she's the Water Pokèmon Master. That makes every resident see one very happy little boy riding the streets of Cerulean City, besides his mother, the Water Pokèmon Master.
As they rode through downtown they passed through a beautiful bridal shop with displays of wedding gowns.
Satoshi then asked "Did you... I mean.. you never think about getting married again?"
Misty raised an eyebrow before saying with a laugh "No, I like things exactly the way they are, thank you."
As they arrived at the Cerulean City Gym Satoshi continued "But Mom, seriously, doesn't passing by all these wedding gowns ever make you think about marriage... or maybe just think about the 'D' word?"
Misty paused as she looked at Satoshi with wide eyes "The 'D' word?!"
"My 'Dad'."
Misty sighed.
"Oh. That "D" word. Well, no, actually it doesn't because I didn't choose my wedding gown-when I married the 'D' word."
"You didn't? Why not?"
"Hey, how did we get into this discussion anyway?"
They soon arrive at a large entrance and once they open the doors it is filled with people.
"Okay, here we are. Now let's see what disaster awaits us."
As they step into the gym they see a young man (around the age of 18) with black hair arguing with Aunt Lily. As Misty walks towards them Satoshi watches the gym like a kid in a candy store.
As soon as Misty walks up to them Lily sighs.
"Okay, she's here. We're saved."
The gym's substitute, Daisy, scoffs as she walks in and says, "We don't know what to do with this guy. He refuses to leave without a match against you. Yet we already told him you don't work during the summer."
"Right," Misty says nodding.
Misty looks at the man before asking, "What's your name?"
The man looks at Misty firmly as he says, "My name is William Keesh and I am here for a Cerulean City Gym Badge! I challenge you Misty Waterflower for a Cascade Badge!"
Misty laughed lightly as she said, "Well William. Nice to meet you. I am Misty Waterflower, the Cerulean City Gym Leader."
She then raised an eyebrow as she says, "I accept your challenge but if you lose and wish to battle again I will not battle you as it is my vacation time. Deal?"
William nodded before saying, "Deal!"
Suddenly the gym's smooth floor turned into a giant pool with sharp rocks. The rocks formed an inner circle in the water. It turned into a water arena. Satoshi's hand was then held by Lily as she led him to the bleachers.
"Kasumi v.s. William. The rules are simple. One on one!" Daisy yelled as she held both hands up.
Misty smirked as she said, "William choose your Pokèmon!"
"PIKACHU I CHOOSE YOU!"
"PIKA!" a yellow rodent yelled as it jumped out of the pokèball and in front of its master.
Misty froze. It was like she was hypnotized. She just stared at the pokèmon in front of her.
Lily also froze as well.
Daisy turned pale as she watched her sister.
Satoshi was confused. Why was his mother acting weird?
"Oh no. Oh no no no." Lily muttered. As she stood up she tried to yell at Misty. Satoshi saw how his mom's eyes turned into a dark glare at the boy before her.
Misty then yelled, "How dare you show up to my gym demanding me to challenge you. I am on vacation! For that, I will not go easy on you!"
She then threw a pokèball to the center as she yelled, "Go my steady! Gyarados I choose you!"
Daisy looked at Misty worriedly while Lily freaked out.
Satoshi was amazed. His mom owned a pokèmon Gyarados.
"Mom is too cool," Satoshi said in amazement at his mom's moves.
Cerulean City (Evening)
"Pikachu cannot go on! Gyarados wins this match battle!" Daisy yelled as William ran over to his Pikachu.
Misty called Gyarados back into his pokèball.
"You did great out there." She said looking at her pokèball before looking back up at William.
She walked up to him but before she could tell him anything he said,
"I just wanted to be like my idol. I never meant to interrupt your vacation."
Misty gave a small smile before she offered her hand to him.
As William shook her hand she said, "You can always come back when I'm working. I'll gladly fight against you again."
William nodded firmly.
"You remind me of someone I used to know a long time ago. You have his ego pride." Misty said crossing her arms as William laughed.
Satoshi just sits there studying his mom's expression as she said that phrase.
Not missing the flash of pain in her eyes.
Misty and Satoshi made their way down the hall, passing a row of offices, rooms, and Pokèmon resting areas.
Satoshi then asked, "So who chose your wedding gown when you married my Dad?"
Misty looked at Satoshi as she replied, "Why the sudden curiosity about your Dad?"
"Well, maybe because he's never mentioned and you can't blame a kid for wondering..."
Misty waves at the crew of people they passed by as she says tiredly "I'm going home, kids ... See you after my vacation."
Satoshi and Misty then push open the gym's big entrance doors. They head back to their parked bikes.
"So, what was he like? Really."
"Who?"
Satoshi rolled his eyes.
"Mom, you can't avoid the subject forever."
Misty sighs as she gets on her bike and begins on to downtown with Satoshi by her side.
"Okay. He was quite handsome to tell you the truth. When we met, he was...actually entirely handsome and charming. All right?"
Satoshi smiles as he replies "All right."
After arriving at the Cerulean City beach, both Misty and Satoshi park their bikes before taking a stroll on the sandy beach.
The ocean's breeze and waves make the area very cool.
Misty puts her arm around Satoshi as she asked, "Are you cold?"
"I'm fine," Satoshi replies before he goes on.
"So, did you meet him here in Cerulean City?"
"We met on St. Anne."
"St. Anne?"
"It's an ocean liner that sails from Cerulean City to Unova. I was nervous about flying in those days, so was your dad. We actually met our very first night onboard the ship. We were seated next to each other at dinner. He's a Kanto native, you know."
Satoshi grinned as he replied, "Really?!"
Misty nodded.
"We kind of hit it off immediately."
"So, was it, love, at first sight?"
"I knew you were going to ask me all these questions one day."
"So, did you see each other every single night?"
Misty groaned as she replied, "You know, this part of your personality reminds me of your dad. You'd think he raised you instead of me."
Misty stared into the ocean as she replied, "Yes, we saw each other every night, every morning and every hour in-between. However, after arriving at Unova, we went separate ways."
Misty laughed softly as she said, "However your dear old dad decided one day to crash my workplace and decided to have a match with me. If I lost I owed him a date that night. If I won he would leave me alone."
"What happened?"
"Well our match was interrupted and none of us got to finish but we did go out for dinner. Things escalated from there and after seven months of dating in Unova, we finally had to return back home. We were in the middle of the ocean when he popped the question."
"Then?"
"Since a ship's Captain can do all kinds of special things, like even marry people..."
"You mean, you got married on the St. Anne?"
Misty nodded as she said, "The ship made a stop at a small private island and we had a mini ceremony there."
"That's beyond cool. So what happened? You didn't love each other when you weren't in the middle of the ocean?"
"No, we did love each other. It's just... these things are complicated. I wanted to fulfill my dream and your dad wanted to fulfill his dream. We both tried helping each other while working in our lives but..."
"It just didn't work out."
"No, it didn't. Except for having you." Misty said as she lightly tapped Satoshi's nose.
Pallet Town, Ketchum Ranch Evening
Hamako sighed as he closed Satoshi's bedroom door. After yesterday's meet and greet with Ms. Serena, today he was out all day hanging out with Brock in the valley. Ash had been to busy with Serena bugging him all day about work and the pile of worksheets in his office. Being the Pokèmon Master did have a negative side.
Hamako sighed as he walked to the balcony and stared at the moon. He looked at the mountains and felt the cool chill breeze pass by his shoulders.
A Few Hours Later
Hamako looked at the clock as it read midnight. He knew that it should be morning in Cerulean City by now so he walked into the room's bathroom and dialed his home's phone number.
Cerulean City, Waterflower Villa
Misty was busy feeding her pokèmons out in the backyard yet still managed to hear the house phone ringing.
"Somebody grab that, please."
James passed through the corridor carrying a tray with coffee and madeleines cookies on it. He picked up the phone, balancing the tray with his other hand.
"Waterflower residence... Hamako?"
Satoshi walked by James before stopping in front of him.
"Yes, James?"
James looks down at Satoshi with widening eyes before looking back at the phone.
"Oh dear, it sounded just like you on the phone," he says to Satoshi.
"I'm sorry, who did you wish to speak with? Hamako? Of course. One moment, please." James says into the phone again.
He then whispers to Satoshi as he hands him the phone, "A Daveed Miranda for you..."
Satoshi excitedly grabbed the phone from James as he said, "Hello? Oh, Daveed, how you doin'?"
Pallet Town, Satoshi's Bedroom's Bathroom
Hamako holds the phone as he sits on top of the tub.
"Hey! How's it going over there?"
Cerulean City, Waterflower Villa
Satoshi looked both ways before saying "Oh, everything's great here. We're expecting a sunny day today but Daveed, can you... hold on for a moment?"
Satoshi sees the coast is clear and ducks into the hall closet, shutting the door just as James walked past. James raises an eyebrow as he whips his head both ways wondering where the child went.
Once inside the closet, Satoshi let out a breath.
"Okay, now I can talk. Oh, my jelly, Mom's incredible. I can not believe I've lived my entire life without knowing her. She's beautiful and fun and smart and I love the way she fights! I got her talking about how she and Dad first met and what happened between them and-"
Satoshi stopped as Hamako interrupted him.
"Satoshi! Enough! We've got a major problem. You're going to have to bring mom out here immediately."
"Immediately? Are you insane? I've had one day with her. I'm just getting to know her. I refuse."
"But this is an emergency. Dad's in love."
Satoshi laughed as he said, "Get out of here. Dad doesn't fall in love."
"Trust me, he's serious, about this one. He's always holding her hand, kissing her, always "Serena this. Serena that." "
"He is...?"
"It's disgusting."
"Well, you'll just have to break 'em up. Sabotage her. Do whatever you have to."
"I'm trying but I'm at a slight disadvantage I only met the man. You've got to get back here to help me."
"Hamako, I can't. I want more time with Mom."
Satoshi then begins searching inside the pockets of the hung up coats in the closet. He finds candy in one of Hamako's coat pockets and uses the wrapper to make a wrinkle noise over the receiver making it sound like a static.
"Hamako, are you still there? I can barely hear you... Ham..." then Satoshi clicks the receiver.
"I'm here! What are you..?"
Satoshi wrinkles the wrapper more.
"Operator...! Operator... sorry, think I lost you, Hamako."
Pallet Town, Satoshi's Bedroom's Bathroom
Hamako glared at the phone as he knew what Satoshi was doing. He then hung up first as he scoffed, "Thanks for the help, Satoshi."
Cerulean City, Waterflower Villa
Satoshi creaked open the closet door and crawled out on all fours, only to find his Mom, James, and his three aunts standing in the foyer, all looking down at him. His mom had an eyebrow raised.
Satoshi tried to play it cool as he said, "Had a phone call. From a friend at camp. It's an old camp tradition. Talk to your best friend from inside a closet... kinda stupid, I know but...tradition is a tradition.."
He then stood up and replaced the phone back on the table.
"So... breakfast anyone?"
Pallet Town, Satoshi's Bedroom's Bathroom
Hamako sighs sadly as he sits in the bathroom in despond. He lifts his head up fast when he hears a small growling coming from under Satoshi's bed.
Due to the bathroom door being open Hamako can clearly see from where he's sitting at a pair of eyes looking at him from under the bed. Hamako stood frozen as he sees the small pokèmon come out from under the bed.
There stands Pikachu as he eyes Hamako. Hamako smiles softly as he walks up to Pikachu and sits right in front of him.
"You probably found out I'm not Satoshi..hmm?"
"Pika."
Hamako smiled sadly as he said "I'm Hamako. Satoshi's- hey!" Hamako was cut off as Pikachu jumped into his arms crying. Hamako silently wept while hugging Pikachu closer to him.
"You probably remember me from when I was a baby."
"Pika!"
"Please don't tell Dad yet. I want to tell him when the time's right. Don't worry about Satoshi. He's with Mom in Cerulean City."
However, Pikachu didn't seem to care about what the boy was saying.
He just wanted to hug Hamako.
And that was what he did.
Pikachu just cried the whole night as Hamako hugged him.
Pallet Town, Ketchum Ranch (Morning)
Jessie carries two plates across the kitchen to Hamako.
"Okay, here we go, the most important meal of the day... huevos rancheros, bacon, toast and just in case you're really hungry... a stack of humongous sausage which smells incredible if I do say so myself."
Jessie places all of this in front of Hamako.
Hamako looks at the food not interested. Just with a forced smile.
"Thanks, Jessie."
Jessie leans against the table as she looks at Hamako worriedly.
"Not hungry again? You hardly ate your chili, your favorite food and now you're not eating your breakfast. You're not sick, are you?"
Jessie says as she places her hand on Hamako's forehead, then sits next to him on the kitchen table.
"I'm fine, I promise. Where's Dad?"
Jessie scoffs as she says, "He and Miss-- 'I'll just have half a punch', thank you, left about an hour ago. You overslept and he didn't want to wake you. Of course, I'd oversleep too if I was up at midnight making mysterious phone calls from my bathroom."
Hamako turned pale.
"Oh, that. I was calling a friend from camp. Yaboku. He lives in Unova."
"Oh, I see and you wanted to call Yaboku at a time that was convenient for him. Because of the time difference."
"Exactly. Because of the time difference."
Jessie raised an eyebrow at him.
"Uh-huh. So you waited until it was three in the morning his time. That makes perfect sense."
Hamako looked taken back.
Then he quickly says, "Actually, it was seven at night his time. You see he lives in Unova but he is on vacation with his family in Orange Island."
Hamako then takes a bite of a strawberry and gives Jessie a smile. Jessie gives him a stare.
"Very smooth. Your Dad wants you to go over to his office as soon as you're done with breakfast."
"He does? Thanks."
Hamako then eats another strawberry.
"I'm done."
Hamako then runs to the screen door as he yells, "Bye, Jessie, thanks again for breakfast. It was great."
Jessie looks down at the plate of untouched food. She then turns back and sees Hamako struggling to push the screen door.
"Pull, Satoshi."
Hamako laughed then pulled the doors open and ran out.