C. Cowboy: Howdy! Ya know, A*Mon, I thought about holding off on the next part a few days just to spite you, but I ain't that kinda cowboy. I'll just pick on ya'all like I'm doing right know. I'm just playin'! So, now on with the story.
CHAPTER 10: NEW MOTIVATION
Ash set with his face in his hands in the waiting room not far from his mother's room. Misty sat next to him, softly rubbing his back with Pikachu setting next them with a strange look on his face as feed Togapi for Misty. "It'll be alright, Ash, you'll see! She's just as tough as you are, so she'll pull through!" Misty said trying to ease Ash's worrying. On the other side of the room, Brock and Prof. Ivy glared at each other hatefully. Misty looked at the two and remembered the fact that a few years ago Brock left Prof. Ivy's lab without warning, and hasn't been the same since. Right now you could cut the tension with a knife.
Ash finally spoke up for the first time in over an hour, "Mist, I-I, I'm dropping out of the tournament." The whole room looked in shock at Ash. "A-Ash, you can't!!" Misty said as she stared into his tear filled eyes. "Misty, I can't keep going. Look at what that guy did to my mom! I don't know what I would do if he did something to Pikachu, Brock, or… you. It just isn't worth the risk!"
Just then Crystal jumped onto Ash, giving him a bear hug, "Oh Ashwy! I am so sorry 'bout what happened! I won't never ever leave you again!" Misty jerked Crystal off of her boyfriend and they began strangling each other and roll on the floor. Gary and Melody walked in shortly after. "You OK, Ashy Boy?" Gary asked with an uncharacteristic concerned tone of voice. "No, no I'm not Gary. I'm dropping out of the tournament." Ash said dropping his head. Gary and Melody almost fell over, "ASH YOU CAN'T JUST QUIT!!! YOU ARE MY ONLY EQUAL IN THIS WHOLE STINKIN' TOURNAMENT!!!" Gary yelled as he grabbed Ash by the shirt collar. Ash started to retaliate but a nurse came out, "Delia Ketchum Family." Ash stepped over Misty and Crystal's rolling forms, "Yes ma'am!" The nurse smiled at him, "Your Mother has regained consciousness and would like to see you." Ash nodded and followed her.
Ash walked into his Mom's room and almost started crying when he saw his mom's bruised and bandaged face. "M-m-mom?" Ash stuttered "Hi Ash." Ash quickly wrapped his arms around his mother and began to cry uncontrollably, "It's OK Mom, I'm dropping out of the tournament to take care of you!" Mrs. Ketchum then pushed him away and looked at him with same determined look that was almost Ash's signature look, "The hell you are!!!" Mrs. Ketchum yelled. Ash stepped back; he had never been cursed by his Mom before. Heck, he never even heard his mom cuss at all! "Mom, w-what do you mean!" his mom glared at him, "You WILL NOT drop out of the tournament! It's been your dream since you were little; I WON'T let you turn your back on that dream! I believe in you, Ash! YOUR POKEMON believe in you, YOUR FRIENDS believe in you, and especially Misty believes in you!! You CAN'T let them down! Don't worry about me; I'll be all right! Now, GO OUT THERE AND SHOW THE OTHER TRAINERS AND THAT S.O.B. THAT DID THIS WHAT IT TAKES TO BE A POKEMON MASTER!!!" Ash was speechless. He finally stopped staring and the determination returned to his face. He turned his hat around backwards and started out the door, "I'll be back tomorrow to visit you, Mom. I gotta go now, I have a match early in the morning."
Crystal and Misty had finally stopped fighting but still were glaring at each other as Ash walked through the door. He looked at Pikachu, "PIKACHU!! COME!!!" They all continued to stare as Pikachu jumped to Ash's shoulder. Ash smirked at his friends, "If you'll excuse me, I have to train some before my match tomorrow."
C. Cowboy: Well what do you think? Next time the tournament will continue as Ash face an opponent that might surprise you. Here's a hint: Misty will definitely like this match. And Fate will strike again, but to who or what? Until next time!