This is a public safety warning on recommendation from various people. This fic may give people what is commonly known as 'hanky inducing activity'. If you fail to heed this warning, the actions that may follow when reading this may include flooding of the keyboard, strenuous running out of carpet cleaner, loo roll and kitchen tissues, and may need to find replacement garbage…dubbed Sailor Moon comes to mind…
Heh. And after the compulsory removal of dubbed SM joke, we are onto a very serious chapter, well, even more serious than more. The loss of a son from a devoted mother. Delilah Ketchum speaks out.
* * * *
I'm still young, both in mind and heart. I turned 48 two months ago, and Ash had bought me two things. A week in the best spa and health centre, where a few of his friends were going, and a card.
'I love you mom.
Ash.'
That was all that was needed to be said from my baby boy to his mother. A son's love for their mother was all a mother truly wanted every year. And now…I'll…never see my baby boy again….
I called him that, despite his 6 foot figure, his motorcycle riding, his marriage with Misty, the head member of the Neo Elite, it didn't matter. Ash was still Ash, and was always embarrassed by me, no matter what. I think he loved it, it was like a tradition between us, and it didn't matter, as long as we were still here.
And now…he isn't.
A mother's tears on the coffin…is the remaining link on the coffin…
* * * *
A lot of people wondered who the father of Ash was. Truth is, when Ash became 18, I finally told him. Some had speculated in the past, my dear friend Samuel Oak would have easily been a target, a world famous researcher starting to suffer ill health, but no. It wasn't.
Professor Hale…I'll explain about him a bit later, but no. Not him either.
A gym leader you ask? Lance? Giovanni? No, the truth is a lot more honest.
25 years ago, I had just finished my degree in journalism. My plan was to go into the world of journalism, as a freelance agent. A writer was my true passion, and as I celebrated with my friends that night, I met a guy.
No, this isn't your classic one night stand story, I was young, nervous and embarrassed about meeting guys. My friends had indeed tried their hand in matchmaking with me, but it hadn't been too many memorable experiments, or should I say pleasant memories, the not so pleasant ones still remain in the back of my mind.
That night, however was different.
(flashback)
I wasn't a big fan of nightclubs, but tonight, I decided to loosen up in the 'Tuff Enuff' bar a few miles from Cinnamon University of Photography and Journalism, and me and my friends were enjoying ourselves.
I pride myself in being a simple drinker, and to this day, I can't recall ever being drunk, I was drinking my first real alcoholic drink of the night, a vodka and orange, when a few guys began to 'hassle' my friends.
Now, my friends were nice people, but it was hard to try and get themselves out of this kind of problem. The guys were making out that it would be an honour for them to be going with them. One of my male friends, Penner, immediately saw the problem but knew he couldn't do anything about it. He went to inform one of the bouncers, as I hoped that me and my friends could get out of this.
Then, he came.
A 25 year old man named Paul Fennox I would later learn. He was just coming into a business venture with a certain pokemon based botanical gardens. With the pokemon popularity becoming widespread with Samuel Oak's studies and research and speeches, it was a neat little venture to go in. The man was a trainer as well, and was studying the pokemon so he could learn how to use certain plants on them, whether they would be good or bad for them.
He noticed it as Penner had informed one of the bouncers, but they seemed to not do anything, mainly because the guys hadn't done anything yet to the girls, although I distinctly saw one grope my friend Farrah's behind.
Suddenly, one of them grabbed Natasha, another friend and with a chuckle, began to push her someone. She screamed and that seemed to be a cue for the other guys to being their tirade. And one of them suddenly locked eyes with me. At that time, I hadn't been more scared in my life until I was now. The bouncers began moving, but I suddenly the glint of a weapon in one of their hands…
Then, he spoke.
"Excuse me…Gloom, introduce yourself…"
His grass pokemon emerged with a smile and covered the whole place with stun spore…however, in an odd power, the spore seemed to only effect the guys who were harassing us….
The 4 guys, including the one making an attempt on me, fell to the floor, everyone looked scared, yet confused. The man who I would later know as Paul recalled his pokemon and addressed Penner. He wore his shades with a contempt for the outside world.
"Call the police and round this lot up."
He went to leave, and stopped. He looked at me, and paused for a few seconds. He removed his shades, and I saw the crystal blue eyes staring at me.
He quickly replaced them on his eyes and moved out, not glancing at anyone else, as he walked out of the club.
The feeling of his eyes boring down in me was a feeling I had only felt around one other person, a school girl friend and teacher of mine, Arthur Hale, my first real crush. I didn't even know his name at the time, but I felt the need to meet him again.
My friends quickly decided that enough was enough and to get the hell out of there. I agreed, I needed to get home, my folks would probably have called the police just to find where I was.
My folks were very overprotective of me, even when I moved out to my own small appartment. Working in a grocery store nearby helped them see me more often, but if they didn't hear from me at around 9.30 when they came back from their bingo sessions, then there would be panic and worry. I totally forgot to call them, and with all the other panicking happening tonight, I didn't need another incident to add.
And then there was that guy…
* * * *
I met him again very soon though. About a week after, I had just come back from volleyball practice (I was captain of the university, and although I had graduated, we had a final match for the championship), and had tea with Arthur, and he had been given an apprentenship with Samuel Oak along with one other helpful, a person who would later be known as Professor Elm.
I was still in my jogging outfit, and sweat was pouring into my body, and I was feeling a bit hazy.
Then I tripped.
As the fall intesified, I closed my eyes, ready to feel the pain.
Instead, I felt a solid surface catching me and I opened them and looked up.
The same man. The same glassed and jacket, a small frown on his face…which turned into a smile.
He removed his glasses again, and helped me up back to a standing position.
"Hello miss, we met back in the nightclub with your friends. I believe we haven't introduced ourselves. Mamou Ketchum."
I was still holding his hand as I felt more nervous than I did at the nightclub, but for different reasons.
"Er….thank you….for that time…I am Delilah Soto." I said. "Thank you for helping me and my friends out the other night…"
The man bowed graciously. "No thanks needed Miss Delilah. I only did what any true gentleman would have. There is no need to thank me."
"Still, if you hadn't done what you did, who knows what would have happened…" I said.
"Hey, it's O.K. I tell you what, how about you 'repay' me, by letting me take you out for a small dinner tonight, just up the road. You aren't busy are you?"
I was a bit stunned. My friends matchmaking hadn't as I said been brilliant, however, this was a new instance for me, someone was asking me on their own? I was always a nervous girl so I never knew what to expect.
What I didn't expect was the words, "O.K, sure…" to come out of my mouth, but they did.
Mamou smiled. "Thank you Miss Delilah. I will make reservations at the Takendo Restaurant for 7.30. I will meet you outside, is that O.K with you?"
"That is perfectly fine. I look forward to it." I said, a bit nervous in my words. After all, this was the first true date I was going to in a very long time.
With a turn and a smile, he walked away, as cool as a cucumber. Myself, I was red, flustered and very nervous.
But I also had a smile on my face, that grin I remember so much, cause it didn't leave my face for the rest of the day.
I didn't tell anyone about my date, not my friends or my parents, not even Arthur. I guess I didn't want anything to be spoiled, and besides, the guy seemed very secretive, so why not be a secret yourself?
Of course, I felt that this was a bit worrying, going to a date with a guy I hardly knew except for the fact he saved me in a nasty incident in a nightclub. However, I felt this date could be at least a bit of gratitude at worst, and at best…
My parents were gonna kill me…again…
* * * *
7.30. My sparkling purple dress, rather similar to the one that Misty wore on her first date with my little Ash, shame how fate dictates what we wear…
Mamou was out, and looked…well….dazzling. It seemed that his black tuxedo shimmered under the moonlight as did my dress. I blushed self-consciously, seeing how good he looked back then.
"Miss Soto, you look lovely this evening." He said with perfect gentlemen manners, and kissed my hand. My blushing intesified.
I certainly felt myself falling for him, but despite saving me from the nightclub incident, I had to make sure his intentions were pure…
During the meal, I 'tested' him a bit, I leaned forward and back a couple of times on purpose, showing a bit of cleavage, but he didn't stare once, he just smiled and ate. After a while, I realised his intentions were fine, and we began to talk.
He was a former pokemon trainer who, whilst struggling in his early days, began to work himself up as a number one trainer. At age 15, he finally achieved the rank of Pokemon Master. Now 6 years later, he is investing in a company named Xanadu, and is going to create the first open-air greenhouse dedicated to plants and flowers related to pokemon.
He said he favoured grass pokemon, and although people had wanted him to take over the Celadon Gym, he had refused, and decided this was the best option. I admired him for that, he was going into a new venture. I didn't realise his fame either, heck, I suppose you could say I had dated a celebrity.
The meal was over with and Mamou payed himself, saying he refused to let a lady take the cheque. It was the first pleasant date I had been to in a long time, and I let him escort me home, he still acting like a pure gentleman.
As I went outside my appartment, I tiptoed and kissed his cheek, the combination of a bit of alcohol and Dutch courage, plus the warmth that this man portrayed, was the reasons behind it.
He smiled. "I felt then like I was touched by an angel. I knew that the moment I saw you. I'll see you again soon I hope…"
I gave him my phone number, happier than I had been in a long time. We waved goodbye, and I entered my appartment, very happy.
I noticed the answering machine. Damn, my parents…
* * * *
The two of us began to slowly become an item around time, as my friends were ecstatic about me finally finding someone. Arthur had introduced me to Samuel as well, and his reasoning of 'any friend of Arthur's is a friend of mine' was fine by me. Me and Sam would get a lot closer throughout the years as well…
Mamou and I were both 21, young, and had careers going for them. I had finally got an apprentenship as a reporter, and although it meant time away from him, he understood perfectly, our careers were just as important as our lives. So it was morning and afternoon work, and night, spending time with my friends and boyfriend.
It was hard work juggling a life like this, but for the next year, I steadily began earning money as my wages increased from a trainee, to a near professional. I was very proud of this fact and how quick I was going, a feat that wouldn't be matched until one of Ash' friends Todd would come about.
Mamou was getting good input about the Xanadu Nursery as well, and was collecting samples and importing plants from around the world. His connections as a Pokemon Master were helping him a bit, although a lot of the money he earned in the tournaments was going to this as well, so it was a risk, and he hoped it would pay off.
One day as I was returning from Anakaris Productions to get some of my reports done, I spotted Mamou running down with a huge smile on his face.
"Hey Mamou…what you doing h…MPPPH…"
I couldn't say too much as he had kissed me with as much raw passion as I had ever seen him before. I was a bit embarrassed as it was broad daylight and people were watching, but Mamou had never really been the one for explicit affection. He was sweet and kind, but he did seem quiet and reserved, only being in action when he needed to. This was unexpected.
When he let go, my cheeks were flushed, and every year of my age was coming through on my face. "Mamou…not that I didn't like that…but what was that for in broad daylight…"
Mamou smiled that smile of his. "Delilah dear, my venture had received backing from the Pokemon League and our sponsoring the Nursery, if it goes well, I could have Nurseries starting up around Kanto any day soon…but that's not all…tonight, I have placed reservations at the Kingler du Terre, would you care to escort me?"
Wow. The Kingler Du Terre. One of the most prestigious restuarants of all of Kanto, located in Celadon. It was a bit of a way though.
"I'm happy Mamou…this is a bit sudden, and neither of us can dri…"
"It's O.K, just wait outside at 6pm, don't worry." He said. "I've got to get everything prepared, so please, just do this for me…"
He was holding my hands so softly and I was getting lost in his eyes. Damn, those eyes always worked on me.
"Oh…all right….I'll be outside, just make sure you're dressed prefectly…" I said, actually looking forward to this, tonight I'd be a lady of prestige. I just hoped he was paying though…
"And you will as well my dear. Until tonight then…" he gave me a little kiss on the cheek and was away.
I still didn't understand what brought on this excitement, but I had a feeling I would soon find out.
* * * *
My violet dress…check. Ribbons in my hair…check. O.K, I just hoped that what he was doing was…
I never finished my thoughts as I heard a honking sound. I looked outside and gulped…
A limosine? Wow. Something tells me that money wasn't going to be a problem tonight.
I stepped out as the chauffeur opened the door for me, I felt like royalty. And inside was the charming prince.
"Good evening Miss Soto." Mamou said. Dashing in a tuxedo as usual, his eyes glistening even in the night.
"Good eevning to you Mr Ketchum." I said. Mamou Ketchum. I guess now it is obvious what his last name is, but to me, it sounds a combination of high class and grit like roots.
The ride went on, and for the first time I can remember meeting him, and it was over a year now, he looked very nervous. Not even when I first met him in the nightclub. This was getting interesting.
The drive was Celadon was calm enough, I just enjoying my time in the limo, not sure how often this feeling would be used. As we drove by the restaurant, I got out first as Mamou paid the driver and the chaffeur, and held my arm as he escorted me into the restaurant.
It was a glamorous affair, everything was down to the upmost priority. The chandeliers, the pictures and paintings, the designed windows, it was class with a capital C.
"Good even Mr. Ketchum. Your reservation for Table 134 is ready for you…enjoy your evening…" said the doorman, as Mamou bowed to him.
"Thank you." He simply said as we walked towards a table near the back, Mamou making sure that I was escorted without incident and as we sat down, my admiration for him grew.
"Wow, I never expected to be in a place like this in my wildest dreams. I guess the money is starting to happen for you Mamou…" I said.
"Yes, my sponsors are certainly helping. A base in Celadon and by the Indigo Plateau are my two main ventures so far, and the designs are ready for final building. My research for species has been completed…" he said.
"You know if you need help with research, I'm sure that my friend Arthur could lend you a hand. He's training with Samuel Oak as a researcher, I'm sure he'd lend a hand." I said.
"You know Samuel Oak? He's becoming one of the legendary figures of the pokemon world…" Mamou said, obviously impressed.
"Yes, vaguely. He's a nice man, a bit scatterbrained maybe, but we all are a bit, I certainly know I am…" I chuckled.
"Oh, that innocence is what attracted me to you in the first place." He said gently. I was a bit flattered to say the least. He had not once made me uncomfortable in our relationship, let's just say I still had my V plates on me, I had my beliefs to say the least, and unlike every other male I went out with this, this one respected my wishes.
"Thank you." I simply said, as a waiter came up to us and asked us for our orders. I had a margirita for drink, and had the Kingler Supreme, compared to Mamou's Catherine Wheel Salad with Kingler Claws and vodka tonic.
We talked a bit more, and I noticed Mamou…fidgetting…like he was either nervous or uncomfortable, this was certainly not like him, I wondered what was going on, but before I knew it, our meals had arrived.
We ate, and in between mouthfuls, we simply complimented each other. The simplicity of these gestures made our relationship as calm and as strong as it was.
As the meal dwindled to an end, Mamou said he had another limo ready to take us back. The liquid had flowed easily and both of us were right with the world to say the least.
As we left (and Mamou paying the bill, it was good, but expensive to say the least), the limo taking us back, Mamou's nervously was boarding upon insanity. I could see sweat on his face, and it was a cool spring night.
We came up to my appartment, and Mamou slowly stepped out after me. The limo stayed as he still had to get home in Seafoam. However, he held my hand tightly as we came up to the steps.
"I had a lovely time Miss Soto." He said.
"I did too Mr Ketchum.." I said and titpoed and kissed him on the lips for a bit. He wrapped his arms around me gently as we let go and we hugged each other.
However, I suddenly felt the hug drifting away as he was moving out of my reach, and…onto his knees?
Oh…my…god.
"Delilah Soto, you have been a beauty comprable to the angels of heaven. Your purity, your innocence and sweetness have inspired me as a human being and made me love someone with all my heart. Will you let me be yours, as Delilah Ketchum?"
And a sparkling blue diamond ring, the same colour as those gorgeous eyes came out of his pocket.
Suddenly it all came to play. The nervousness, the fidgetting, the sweating.
And I jumped into arms. Marriage never came into my mind at all…looks like denseness ran through the family…but I didn't care.
"Yes, I do! I DO!" I said, my tears coming out as I kissed him over his face, ending with one on the lips.
It was the happiest I had been in my life. How the times would change as he picked up and swung me round…
* * * *
The marriage was a pleasant enough Western chapel like. Despite Mamou's forming wealth, we was pretty much a small enough party affair with only our close friends and family to meet.
It was interesting that neither of our parents had met each other until the wedding. It was interesting to say the least, but in the end, they seemed to mutually like each other, if just for their children's happiness (although I'd probably still get phone calls in the middle of the night from my parents…)
I left the chapel as Mrs. Delilah Ketchum, and we had planned to live in a place called Pallet Town, where he could work on his main pace on the suburbs of that area. It also was the holder of Samuel Oak, and hopefully, I could get to talk with him and Arthur much easier now.
The honeymoon…well, it was in Seafoam, and…well…I won't explain too much what happened there…leave that to your own imaginations…
A few months after the wedding, things were going fine for us. Mamou had secured the deeds to implement his 'global scale' of his Xanadu Nurseries. However, something else had happened in those few months that I hadn't expected.
"Delilah? Are you home?" Mamou said. He always said he'd be home back at 6pm, no matter what the issues were in his work. However, he came back to see his wife coughing and being a bit sick.
Immediately, overprotective husband mode came on (I guess he inherited it after meeting my parents) and he gently lifted me up. "Are you O.K? Come on, let's get you sat down…"
He sat me down, not noticed the smile on my face. When he did, he was a bit confused to say the least.
"Huh? Are you alright, are you su…" then the look of shock on his face as I held something up.
He looked at me for conformation, and I nodded.
"I'm pregnant."
Mamou shocked face turned into a smile, then a grin, and then a huge whoop of joy as he hugged me, gently, and kissed my forehead, and then my stomach.
"I'm…gonna…be…a…daddy…."
As he began to try and make me as comfortable as possible, and I explained how far I was into the pregnancy, I would not have expected any events following which could have ruined our happiness. And indeed, certainly not after the pregnancy, it seemed nothing was going wrong.
* * * *
Ashton Satoshi Ketchum.
He was our little miracle, as I cradled my new born baby boy into our world for the first time.
"Delilah!"
I saw Mamou rush in, despite his heavy workload, he had managed to get time off to see his child. At 2.15 in the afternoon, he looked a sight with his ruffled hair and formal clothing, but nothing was going to stop him witnessing this moment.
"He's…here…" he said.
"Yeah. 10 fingers. 10 toes. He's all here…" I said.
"He? It's a boy…." I saw him crying a bit.
"Would you like to hold him?"
Mamou nodded slightly and seemed afraid of touching the sleeping new infant, as fragile as anything could be. However, Mamou managed the feet as the sleeping Ash was cuddled by the man I called the Mighty Mamou. He had broken his emotion and had an open smile on his face.
"Have you named him yet?" he asked.
I nodded. "Yeah, I hope you don't mind, but I'm named him Ashton, after my Grandfather. He passed away a few years ago, but I've always kept him close to my heart…" I said.
"And I'm sure that he's watching you now, very proud." Mamou said as Ash moved slightly, getting more comfortable in the warmth that was Mamou's embrace.
I hoped these type of moments would last the rest of our life.
Sadly, it wasn't going to be like that…
* * * *
Despite his busy schedule, and me having to get an extended leave from work, together we were a devoted family to our little Ash. We liked to call him that, as we did with my grandad, because of his passion for pipe smoking. Hopefully, our Ash wouldn't get that habit, and he didn't, of course, ash is what he truly is now…
I'm sorry, I'm getting off topic.
Mamou was however starting to show the strains of business like worry. He was taking more overseas leaves from his family, and as Ash was walking his first steps and talking his first words, he was around Cinnabar, trying to get into the tourist traps there with his work in pokemon botany and creating a Nursery there. Whilst his business was starting to come about because of the popularity of pokemon, and that many of the plants could help tame them and strengthen them, it wasn't worth it for me spending my time with my son alone.
Phone calls weren't enough. I was missing him a lot, and being with my son alone could put a strain on any mother.
It was at this time that I began to make frequent visits to Samuel's labatory. Arthur was there occasionally and I had the relief of talking to him a lot, but I also became a good friend with Samuel as well. It was weird to see a housewife being good friends with a legendary professor, but with Arthur and Samuel around, my problems became a distant memory, especially seeing my son playing with an Oddish around.
It was probably his first moment of being with a pokemon, and it wouldn't be the last.
Mamou did come home occasionally, but the longest he stayed was usually 3 days, before he was back on his travels. However, he did love playing with his son, giving him Ponyta rides and such, as Ash was coming into his first year of life not knowing much what was going on with his parents.
Into his second year, and the visits became less frequent from Mamou, and more frequent from Samuel and Arthur. It was getting more and more agitating.
This continued past Ash' 2nd birthday, and a familiar cry of 'where's Daddy?' had been coming from the toddler's mouth.
However, one day when Mamou came back…
* * * *
"This is getting beyond reasoning now Arthur, he hasn't come home in 2 weeks now, and he hasn't called half the time." I was in tears, and hugging my old school friend was a way to remove the pain and sorrow around. Ash had gone to friends, namely May and Gary Oak thanks to Samuel, who also understood the situation to say the least.
"Delilah dear, just hang on…you know how busy he is…" He was trying to soften the blow, but it wasn't working.
"I know, but not to call his family in 2 weeks….!" My sobs were intensifying and I couldn't do much.
My eyes were closed and my head in his chest so hard, that I didn't even hear the footsteps entering the house.
"Del…Delilah?" A shocked voice said.
My eyes opened, tears still in them, and I stood to see my husband Mamou staring at us. I'm not sure what he would make of this situation, but…
"No…this isn't….you….." he said.
Arthur stood, realising the complexity of the situation. "I'll leave now, I'll just check on Ash O.K? I need to see the Oaks anyway…" Arthur graciously left the room, I just hoped this wouldn't get ugly.
I should have known better.
"Delilah…you didn't…" he said.
"No! He was just comforting me, you haven't been home in over 2 weeks, with barely any phone call, and you wonder why I'm crying…and the first thing you assume is that I'm hav…"
"Are you?" he said, stern.
That voice was cold, tired and broken down, not like the Mamou who was crying openly when Ash was born.
"Of course not! But people have been wondering…I mean we never see you anymore…if you came in the middle of the night, Ash probably would have screamed, thinking you were an intruder! Did you by the way get anything for Ash' 2nd birthday…"
I wasn't the calm housewife or freelance photographer and writer with a good future ahead of her anymore. I was an hysterical woman.
However, I wasn't prepared for him slapping me.
I fell down, shocked and quiet. Mamou stared at me with cold eyes.
"I've been trying to keep my business' worked, making sure you have a home to live in, food on the table, a future for our son, and the first thing I hear is screaming and bawling! Damn it Delilah, I'm doing this for y…"
He then saw my tears and my frightened look, and his tired eyes noticed it. He stood back.
"Oh no…damn it, I'm sorry…." He stood back, not sure what I would do.
I shuffled back, scared of him, and scared of him being in a house with me. Seeing this condition, it was scary to say the least.
Mamou realised that work had come before family. "Delilah…with my life…I think it's best…"
He turned to leave the house.
"I'll continue to send money for you, I still love you, and my son…but…I can't be trusted to be around you with my life. Delilah, I love you…but…"
And just like that, it was goodbye. And it seemed forever.
When Ash came back later, he asked again 'Where's daddy?' The response was one of the hardest things I ever had to say.
"Son, your daddy cannot be with us any more. However, he has told me to say that he will always love you, and he will continue to take care of us…."
I couldn't stop myself and cried. Ash joined in as we shared a mother/son hug, as his little hands tugged my arm. Only a true parent could appreciate something like this.
Sadly, that day, I realised that from now on, I was the only true parent of the family.
* * * *
For a while, despite Mamou leaving, life didn't seem as hard as I expected. He kept his promise and kept putting cheques towards us, obviously intent of taking care of his son, and keeping us happy, in our small and peaceful home in Pallet.
However, during the months, the realisation came to be as the cheques came slower and slower, and finally, after a year and 3 months, everything stopped. To this day, I am not sure what has happened to him, but either he is dead, or he is in a new life. I do know about the nurseries being looked after by independent resources (including the one in Pallet) but even so, if he is alive, the bastard didn't have the decency to see what a life his son had left.
Yes, I called him a bastard. Now, it seems to be the right thing to say, although you may not have expected it from me. However, I didn't see him today, certainly not at the funeral. He wasn't here for his life and he isn't here for his death.
However, I had two people to thank whilst Ash was growing up. Arthur and his lovely daughter Molly. So innocent and cute beyond words, Ash was happy to have a 'little sister' to play with. Sadly, his relationship with the Oaks had gone a bit after their unpleasantness, and after a while, even May stopped being with him, however, it was the first time I saw my little Ash seem to blossom into a young man at the age of 6 compared to Molly's 3.
Molly is with me now as well. She had tragedy as well when Arthur died about 3 years ago. Both of the men I trusted more than anyone else have been taken from me, as well as my son. My life seems to have no meaning.
The funeral of Samuel Okiida Oak was a very drab affair, but it was great to see everyone there, Professors Elm and Ivy, Arthur, and also Gary, Ash, Misty, Tracey…I was surprised that Brock wasn't there, although I had heard rumours about the breaking of Pewter City…
When Ash started to get interested in Pokemon, and Sam would show him some, I was at first very adamant about him not becoming a trainer. After the scars of my own relationship with a pokemon master turned garden maestro turned traitor, I didn't want Ash to fall the same way. However, more and more interest came about, and he really seemed to want to do it, especially with Gary also going for it. With Gary's new attitude, they had become rivals, and at a stretch, enemies, and I guess Ash' stubbornness (from my side, he joked) was what won me.
I remember the first day when he called me. I told him about that his father took him 3 days to get to Viridian. I know Ash didn't talk about his dad too much, because he knew how it would affect me, but it still sent flashbacks of my conversations with Mamou, and it frightened me to see Ash walk the same lonely path.
I needn't have worried, because a charming lovely young lady named Misty Waterflower and soon after, a charming young man named Brock Slate began to accompany my Ash. Although every day, my thoughts turned to my sons, it was good to see his company around him, I knew he would be safe.
Even after I learnt about the storm and the seas in the Orange Islands, I knew that as long as Ash was with someone, he would be safe. Ash may have saved the world, but it was Misty which saved him through it.
Looking today, it is obvious how popular and how much affect Ash had on us all. A number of people here are from the League, and are only there as representatives, but the majority of people here were genuinely good friends of Ash, and a lot of them I really loved their company.
Misty for example, Ash's wife and now sadly, a widow and single mother. I loved her like my own daughter. Her radiant red hair swung out like a supermodels, yet whilst stubborn at times in nature, was gentle in spirit, and kind. She was a wonderful person to Ash, and really deserved much better in life than the graveyard sorrow today has brung.
And Brock…poor Brock, who like myself, has gone through so much heartache, not only with Ash dying, but with his first wife having to go through cancer, he hasn't had much luck to say the least. To Ash, he was a best friend, brother and second mother all in one. I still chuckle whenever Mimey and he argued over the sweeping.
Ah, Mimey. My Mr. Mime. He's with me as well, outside with all the other pokemon. He still as helpful as ever, more so in my old age and time of need. Misty gave me a Jigglypuff for my birthday as well to help me send me to sleep. In recent nights, I've cried myself to sleep.
And so many of Ash' friends took off time off their schedules to pay their last respects. All of the Elite, in particular Casey and Richie, were very good friends to Ash, Richie I knew personally as a sweet boy who was Ash' best friend in the league. His wife, Casey, was a smiling stubborn like tomboy, who seemed to be what I thought Ash and Misty's daughter would look like when they grew up, maybe not in her cute looks, but in her attitude at least.
Gary was there too, very solemn, along with Giselle, his significant other. I didn't know Giselle much, only that she was a teacher, but Gary seemed to be as depressed as many. It seemed to be breaking him, maybe seeing May in a wheelchair didn't exactly help either.
Everyone seemed at breaking point. Melody's gorgeous voice was breaking through the song she sang earlier, and knowing her personally, it was horrible to see one of the legendary saviours and priests of the Orange Islands in this condition. The other singer, Duplica, who was renowned for her comedy and her instant ability to cheer everyone up, wasn't laughing here, it was heartbreaking to see such a sweet and lovely girl breaking up in her husbands arms. Todd, said husband, was apart from Richie, Tracey and Brock, the closest male friend to Ash, and he couldn't hold out his tears either. Even the toughest of facades, such as A.J's, couldn't hold back today.
After Ash became a Pokemon Master, my life changed back to the one I used to know. This time, it was my son providing for me, not just money, even though I never asked for it, but my life, because as I said to Misty once, he was my world.
And now I've lost it.
My approach to the coffin with Molly clutching my hand despite her teenage appearance was the worst few yards I could walk.
"Ash…my little boy…"
I couldn't say anything else and I just had to cry. Molly knelt down and wrapped her tender arms around me, as we sobbed together. No-one tried to help us, because they all knew this was the best way.
My son…gone…what else could I do?
I remembered his victory smile, Pikachu by his side, and no. I realised, this isn't the way I want to show my final words to Ash.
I slowly stood up, and went to the coffin again.
I removed the item that Misty had suggested to me. It sounded disprectful, especially to my son, but knowing how Ash looks at things, he'd probably love it. It was a running joke for over 10 years with me and Ash, and it would end today.
"Ash, your in heaven. I know that sweetie, but even up there…"
I threw the item in there, and walked away with Molly. I saw Misty, who whilst tearful, smiled at me, and I smiled.
The pair of underwear in there may seem stupid, but to me, it reminded me of both young and older Ash, the sweet charming young man, and my little boy.
"…don't forget to change you know what."
Compared to all my other chapters this is quite short, but I found the words of a mother to be heartbreaking anyway. This also shows my unique intake of the 'Who is Ash' father?' story.
Next chapter;
Out of the Elite throughout the years, A.J has been a mainstay throughout. All the changes, and he has remained there. Said to be the only one close to Ash' level, A.J's is known as the strong and level-headed member of the Elite. However, today, he is anything but that…
A.J's turn, one of my fave characters because of his strength. Interesting to see if he returns in a future ep.
Until next time….