Author's Note: To let at least one of my reviewers know that Marin does not
know that Misty, Ash's wife, actually exists. The only Misty Marin knows of
is her own daughter that Ash named. Also, I initially intended for it to
get this complex as I love a good paradox (A paradox, a paradox, a most
ingenious paradox, ah ha ha ha ha. A par-ra-dox). Sorry about that
interruption, I don't know what got into me, but it could be the song from
Pirates of Penzance. Anyway, I have no intention of 'killing off' any of my
characters. I intend to make this very complex as Ash will need to choose
between Misty his wife and Marin. Also please note that I had originally
thought of having Ash only being engaged to Misty when he first
disappeared, but then I realized that then he wouldn't be able to marry
Misty until the circumstances were resolved. In that case, that would mean
that Ash was never really married to Marin, though at the time no one
realized or even had an idea that 'Yellow' was already married. Besides,
Misty can't blame her husband for going off with another woman that she
didn't even know when Ash had no memory of his wife. I'll continue this
thinking later in the story as it will unfold and there will come a time
for all to be revealed to even Ash who is a poor guy who is at my mercy. I
also want feedback for who he will end up with, but remember you can change
your opinion later on after you've gotten in a review with your opinion,
but also I also will look at the name of the sender even if it is
anonymous, because that will help me determine who is trying to get in more
than one vote. Though, that won't be perfect, but it will help. Please
enjoy Ash regaining his former memory. I think that this will be quite fun.
(Heh, heh, heh.) Also, Ash would not have fallen for Marin quite so easily
if he had seen Misty or if Misty knew where Ash was so she could visit him.
Plus, since Ash didn't remember Misty or know of her, he could only feel an
emptiness inside of him that wouldn't be filled quite so easily. Like on
the movie Sweet Home Alabama, the main character found herself in love with
two guys who also loved her. She had to choose between them and decide who
would get to share that love. In this case I have done it in a way that
both will have a chance to share that love, but only one will still end up
with it. I know some will think me as being sick, but I would rather think
of me as being something a bit more level in the head (though I still am a
neurotic). Though, this is a paradox that can also easily occur anywhere at
any time without any warning just as there was no warning for that
Kangaskhan in the first chapter. Enjoy Chapter 6 please.
*
Ash wakes up. It has been a couple of weeks and he still hasn't been authorized to leave the house. He has gotten quite restless. He has been electrocuted several times by a Pikachu that is supposed to be his. He still can't remember anything, but knows that this situation feels somehow familiar. He also felt a bond with the Pikachu even though the Pikachu kept on using thunderbolt, thundershock, and thunder attacks on him. Ash looks around for the Pikachu and sees that he is still asleep, Ash quietly leaves the room, but makes certain to keep the door open so that Pikachu won't shock Ash just for not letting Pikachu roam as he wants to sometimes.
Misty often comes by after Ash is done with breakfast, though Misty at first was surprised that Ash could cook. Ash noted that he didn't know how to cook before he disappeared nine years ago, only to return on the ninth anniversary of his disappearance. Ash really felt different around Misty than anyone else that he had seen so far. Ash had seen Misty talk with others and he couldn't understand it, but he wanted to be next to Misty, even though he had just met her in his mind. As Ash finished eating, he quickly took a plate up to Pikachu who shocked Ash just for not still being in the room when he woke up.
Whatever bond we had must not have been too good, Ash thought to himself, as he got his things ready for his shower. When he came out, Pikachu had already calmed down and had eaten his breakfast and went down the stairs with Ash. Ash looked at the clock and noticed that usually Misty was here by now. Yet, she was late. Ash hoped that she was with Professor Oak talking him into letting Ash go. Ash was beginning to feel a deep wanderlust. He couldn't explain it, but he felt the need to be moving about traveling and exploring even if it is the same area over and over again.
Ash begins to watch the television until he gets bored with watching the news constantly conversing about how the Pokemon Master had just been found on the shores of his hometown when he had disappeared for nine years. His whereabouts where still a mystery, but it was stated that Professor Oak knew where he was and would be until it was decided that the Pokemon Master, Ash Ketchum, was ready again to move about on his own.
Ash felt that he no longer had control over his movements. He felt bound by Professor Oak and didn't want to disobey what he was told, but he still didn't want to be in a house when there was no other reason why he had to stay there. When Ash finally turned the television off from frustration of watching the same thing, he noticed that Misty was coming with two people, guys, this time, Ash suddenly felt a pang of jealousy, but fought it down thinking that it was because he reasoned with himself that they were probably two boys that he might also have known.
Ash opened the door for them and the people came in followed by Misty. The two newcomers both hugged Ash in a friendly way when they came in. Ash was too surprised to do anything about it. He had no clue who they were or why they were doing what they were here. All he knew was that they seemed to know him. When they were all in the house and the door was shut, they were all sitting down.
Pikachu seemed to know who they were, even though Ash didn't still think that Pikachu liked him. Although, Ash didn't think that anyone would notice, he sat down as far away from where Pikachu was. Yet, everyone noticed, but didn't say anything. The silence dragged on, as no one seemed to know what they should say. It all seemed that they were all silent for the time until finally Misty spoke up.
"Ash, I wanted you to meet Brock and Gary. You knew both of them and, uh," Misty hesitated, "Brock was one of our friends. Gary was your own personal rival."
"Oh," was all Ash responded with.
The silence picked up again. This time it wasn't too long until Gary spoke.
"Well, Ash it seems that you survived being in the river twice now."
"What?" Misty cried. "I didn't know about any of that. He fell in a river again?"
"When?" Ash asked, eager to learn anything about himself.
"Great!" Gary sighed dramatically. "He forgets everything again. I just wish that I had found him before Team Rocket had knocked him into the river when I had found him."
"You mean that you had found him before you came back!?" Misty cried, her face betraying rage, making Ash very uneasy. However, this seemed to also comfort Ash somehow.
"U-uh," Gary stuttered. "Y-yes. I tried to pull him out of the river, but I couldn't. All I managed to pull out was a ring he was wearing, but I seemed to have lost it before I could get to a phone to call gramps."
"So, you mean that you found him and Team Rocket attacked him?" Brock asked.
"Yeah. I don't know why, I just used my Arcanine to roar, but I was still to late and the current was too swift for me to try to jump in after him. I searched the river for any signs that he woke up along the banks or if anyone had been able to pull him out, but I couldn't find anything. So I went to the nearest phone to call gramps, but found out that he had shown up here that morning. After I heard that, I came back as quickly as I could."
Suddenly, an image flashed through Ash's mind: Rain coming down very hard, a strong determination to save something that was worth more than himself at that moment, and a feeling of despair as he entered darkness. When Ash realized that the conversation had continued, he noticed that he was sweating. Misty leaned over to him and whispered, "Are you all right?"
Ash could hear the concern that she held in her voice. "Yeah. Um, why do you ask?"
"Well, you just seem to be uneasy for some reason," Misty replied. "I was wondering if something may be wrong."
"Oh, it's nothing," Ash replied, planning on thinking over what he suddenly remembered later when he had some time to himself.
"All the time that we've been together I have not known you to be this bad at lying," Misty said, raising her voice away from a whisper so Gary and Brock could hear as well.
"What was that?" Brock asked eagerly.
"It's nothing," Ash said, getting up and walking up the stairs, doing what he could to remain calm.
"What was that about?" he heard Gary ask.
Let them talk about me, Ash thought bitterly. They have no idea what it's like to hear people talk about you when you can't even remember who they are let alone what they're talking about. Ash felt a tear slide down his cheek as he thought, They have no idea what it's like to not even know who I am. Ash suddenly felt angry at nothing in particular; just the situation he was in. He decided to try to get to the forest. If he could make it there, then he should be able to make them think that he really isn't who they thought he was. Though, that thought really hurt Ash. He really felt a connection, but couldn't place it.
Ash went to his room and shut the door. He pulled open his drawers to the dresser that was in his room that had the clothes that he was told were his and left them open with him standing over the drawer. He wanted to run until he couldn't feel anything anymore, but he couldn't bring himself to do that. He felt trapped. He wanted to do the opposite things and was only able to do one. Soon Ash closed the drawer and walked over to the desk in the room. If this is really where I lived, then there should be something here that confirms it, Ash told himself.
Ash began methodically going through the drawers in the desk. Most of them were empty, but a few contained papers that seemed to have been written by someone else for all Ash could tell. They were love notes that usually ended in scribbles that seemed to be attempting at crossing out the letter, but failed completely. Quite a few of the notes were signed with the name Ash, but Ash could not recall anything of this. Finally Ash comes across a picture of a couple being married. Ash could tell that the bride was Misty and Ash was the groom. Suddenly another flashback occurs and Ash suddenly is at an altar waiting for his bride to come. A flash occurs and Misty is right there and both say, "I do." When they are asked if they would take this person to be their spouse.
When Ash is aware of his surroundings, he notices that he dropped the picture. As he bends over to pick it up, he notices a book in a drawer that he had originally was empty. Ash pulls it out and realizes that it's a photo album. Ash walks over to the bed as he looks through it. He's so focused on the book that he doesn't realize it when the door opens and Pikachu enters the room trailed by Misty. He begins going through the book and pauses whenever a new memory comes back. The book ends when he received the eighth badge. Ash closes the book gently barely aware of the tears that streaked his face. He was ashamed of himself for acting so rudely when he now knows that they were all just trying to help him and he had basically thrown it into their faces. He also now understood why his Pikachu shocked him so much now. It was because his Pikachu was worried about him. It wasn't that Pikachu didn't like him, but because Pikachu wanted to help Ash, but didn't know what to do, except do as it always had.
Ash jumped when he felt a hand rest on his shoulder. He turned and saw Misty and Pikachu watching him solemnly. It took a moment for it to register in Ash's mind that he hadn't known that they were even in the room. When Ash realized this, he jumped up and cried out.
"Aaahh! I didn't realize that you were here," Ash said, surprise evident on his face.
"It's okay. We've been here for a little while now," Misty replied.
"Pikachu," Pikachu agreed.
Ash felt his face flush as he thought of them watching him look through the photo album. Ash then realized that his face was streaked with tears and quickly turned around and wiped the tears away, as his face became a bright scarlet color. Ash tried to speak and found that he couldn't. All he felt was his throat knot whenever he tried to speak. He even tried swallowing a couple of times and found that that didn't do any good.
"Well, why don't you come back down Ash," Misty offered. "I'm certain that we could help you out anyway that you'd like."
Ash found that he still couldn't talk and just nodded. As he turned around Pikachu walked over to Ash and looked at Ash, while asking, "Pika?"
Ash pulled Pikachu into a tight embrace and Pikachu didn't electrocute him for it. Moments later Ash was walking out of the room with Misty and Pikachu leading the way. When they got downstairs, they found Professor Oak waiting for them. Ash finally found his voice and asked, "Is something wrong?"
Professor Oak turned to face Ash and replied, "I feel that now is the time to tell you."
Ash realized that it was very urgent and wasn't something that Oak was doing lightly. Ash sat down and Pikachu jumped up on the chair next to Ash. "What is it?" Ash inquired.
Professor Oak sighed and began, "Ever since you disappeared nine years ago your mother has been in declining health. She is still in a coma that she went into about eight years ago. No one knows why she still lives, but I think that it is because she wants to see you again. There is no pain greater that I can think of than outliving your own children. I think that she only lives because she wants to see you again, Ash."
Ash nods, realizing that he hadn't seen anyone around that had talked about his parents, though he now remembered them, he hadn't noticed that that was one subject that had not been brought up before. Ash also could see why they didn't want to talk about it. No one ever wanted to be the bearer of bad news. Especially of news of this nature. "Well, then c-can I s-see her?" Ash asked, stuttering.
"I have a taxi out front to take you to the hospital. I believe that you have regained your memory; or at least a vast majority of it?" Prof. Oak asked.
Ash hesitated. "It's all right," Oak comforted. "Your mother's Mr. Mime told me. I have been taking care of him since your mother went into the coma. We've gotten quite close."
Ash nodded and began to walk out of the house. Misty started to follow Ash, but Professor Oak told her to stay back. Ash waked out to the cab and Pikachu got in the cab as well. Then the driver took him to the hospital, where he was then escorted by a very insensitive and unfriendly doctor to the room where his mother was.
* * * * * * * * * * *
Professor Oak did not want to say this, as he feared that Misty's heart would be broken again, but he knew he had no choice. He had to make certain that everyone knew this possibility. Prof. Oak took a deep breath before he began, "I know that everyone is excited to have Ash back, but I want everyone to think about this possibility. Ash has been gone for nine years. It makes sense to believe that he had amnesia then as well." Prof. Oak took a deep breath. This was harder than he had anticipated. "All we know is that for those nine years he was alive. We do not know, however, what went on during those nine years. For all we know Ash had started life over again, and," Professor Oak looked at Misty, "started a family of his own." By the expression on Misty's face, Oak knew that she hadn't thought of this possibility. "I don't want to dampen anyone's happiness, but we need to think, where has Ash been these past nine years. What has he been doing? Gary found him near Cherrygrove City, but has he been there for the past nine years or has he been somewhere else. I know that his memory has returned, but he still doesn't remember those nine years that he was gone. If his memory does come back, which life would he choose? Which life would he want to live?"
Misty ran off when Professor Oak stopped speaking. He knew that that thought would be especially hard for Misty, but she would have to deal with it on her own. He didn't like to know that there was nothing that he could do, but he had to admit that he was powerless with that.
"So can we do?" Brock asked.
"That's the main problem," Oak replied. "I don't believe that there is much that we can do. We can only think about what he would decide. We also can't ask him, because if he doesn't remember it, then he wouldn't be able to tell us honestly as he wouldn't know what those nine years held for him. He would only know what he remembers in this life."
Brock and Gary nodded. Neither could think of a response for that and they just sat in silence, neither one of them making a sound, lost in their own thoughts. Oak wanted Ash to go visit his mother as even the doctors knew how much time she had left. Oak knew that it was very important for him to see his mother even if it was the last time. Oak could only hope that this would get his mother to begin regaining her strength.
* * * * * * * * * * *
Upstairs, Misty did not know what to think. All this time Ash was gone, she had wanted nothing more than to have him back in her life, but now she didn't know what to think or want as she thought about how Ash could have forgotten her and possibly have started a family. Even though it hurt, Misty wanted Ash to be happy, even if it meant that he would be with someone else. There's still time, Misty thought to herself. That might not have happened, and so he still might have me in his heart. He still might love me.
When Misty was done crying, she went back downstairs only to find Gary, Brock, and Professor Oak gone. She looked around and found a note letting her know that they went over to Professor Oak's house for the night. Misty then looked at the clock and noticed how late it was getting. She really was surprised to see that it was almost nine in the evening. She didn't even realize that the sun had set. Misty looked around and didn't see Ash, so she then decided to go to the hospital to see if he was still there.
She felt refreshed as she walked to the hospital. She went to where Ash's mother was staying and when she was going into the room. As she was about to enter, the same doctor pulled her to the side to talk with her.
"What do you want?" Misty demanded, waiting for the doctor to begin proving once again that he was a jerk.
"I just want you to know that I'm sorry for saying that Ash was dead, but I also wanted to let you know that it is mere chance that he is still alive. I do not think that if he disappears again that he will be alive. So you should prepare yourself for his eventual death."
"I'm not going to die!" Ash cried, apparently having heard them while in the room.
The doctor just walked off, clearly not interested in continuing the argument further at the moment. Misty then walked into the room. Ash was walking over to his mother's side, sliding his own hand into his mother's hand. Misty walked over, moved a chair next to Ash and sat down in the chair. They sat together for a few minutes with the only sounds coming from the hospital machinery.
"So, what are going to do now?" Misty asked, uncertain of really what to say.
"Well, I think that I'd first like to get things settled around here. I hope my mom will wake up soon. I'd at least like to say good-bye to her before she dies if this is her deathbed," Ash replied.
Misty was surprised to hear Ash talking like this. The Ash Ketchum she knew didn't talk so pessimistically. He really has changed, Misty said to herself. He seems more refined and thoughtful than he used to be. Maybe these nine years were meant to be good for him. Misty wished that Ash would let her into his heart again, as she could tell that he was distant. He must be working things out in his mind.
Ash seemed like he was about to go when his mother stirred. This caught both Ash and Misty by surprise. Delia opens her eyes for the first time in eight years and turns her head to Ash. "I'm glad you're back," she whispers.
Ash only seems to be able to nod. Misty also notices tears beginning to streak his face. She feels really sorry for Ash that he had to come back only to find his mother like this. Delia then closes her eyes for the last time. Misty and Ash feel her go peacefully. Soon the machines begin making the sound that means Delia has no pulse. Ash is now crying freely. Misty really wants to comfort Ash, but she no longer feels as close to him as she once was. The feeling of being unable to help comfort Ash really hurts, but Misty doesn't want to hurt Ash.
Soon doctors come in and make certain that they can't do anything to revive her. Ash tugs on Misty's sleeve and Misty follows Ash out of the room and then out of the hospital with Pikachu trailing them. They walk silently back to Ash's house. When they arrived, Ash turns to Misty and asks, "We were married weren't we?"
Misty is surprised when Ash asks this as she wasn't expecting this. "Y-yes," Misty stammered.
Ash sighs as he looks towards the starry sky. "I don't know why but I feel that I'm needed elsewhere as well as here."
"Then why don't you try to find where else you're needed?" Misty asks.
"Well, I just don't feel like I'm needed wherever it is as much as I am here right now," Ash says, looking at Misty and giving her a wink.
Misty is surprised at this. All Misty can do is smile shyly in response. Ash really was different. But I like him like this, Misty says to herself. Ash wraps an arm around Misty's shoulders leading her into their house, leaving the house that Ash had been staying at alone. "Let's just spend tonight together, okay?" Ash asks Misty.
Misty nods and they enter the house, while Pikachu decides to give them some time alone.
* * * * * * * * * * *
Marin looks at the sky as the sun is setting. The few clouds in the sky shining brilliant colors of red and gold. Marin is still a little depressed over Yellow being gone, but she knows that she has to put her grief aside for the time so she can focus on her children and not neglect them. Again, she can't help but feel a sharp pang in her heart as she thinks of Yellow. He was so sweet and gentle to her, yet she thought that they would have much more time together.
"I guess that that's what they mean by you never know what you had until you've lost it," Marin says to herself aloud.
Misty was training her Ponyta as well as a few other pokemon that she had taken a liking to. Tarin was already asleep in his room. Marin always now seemed to want a time of day to be alone so she could think. With Yellow gone, Marin knew that she wouldn't want Misty to go on the journey that Yellow had told her that Misty would want to go on. Marin smiled wryly, if it wasn't for Yellow, I never would have known how much this made Misty feel.
At least when Misty is gone I'll still have Tarin, Marin thought. I won't be alone then. Marin then thought about how much Tarin seemed to enjoy taking care of the pokemon and even playing with the pokemon who didn't seem to like Tarin much. Tarin seemed to be at home with pokemon more than he seemed to be with other people. Marin often thought about that problem. A time would come when Tarin would need to interact with others. If Tarin wasn't ready when that time came, then he would be helpless no matter who he had to support him. Marin didn't like thinking about that, but she could feel that deep in her heart. No matter what Marin did, that feeling was always there like a sinister storm over a peaceful town. Just waiting to strike.
*
Author's Note: How was that? I'm certain that not everyone likes how I've taken this story, but hey, with me being a neurotic, I often get people upset just by talking to them in a regular conversation. Anyway, I've thought about how I will eventually end it as all good things must come to an end. I'll announce the decision after I complete the endings so no one can try to change my mind about it. I also know that this chapter was much longer, but I figured that the more information I gave here meant less information for later chapters. Also, I will not kill off anymore characters in this story after this chapter. I only had Delia die because I didn't want to make things more difficult for myself as I then would have to include her in the story and I know less about her character than I do about Professor Oak and I know very little about him anyway. If I did get his character right on then it was pure chance and nothing more really. I also wanted the death to be peaceful rather than dramatic. I feel that often times things get over dramatized over very simple things. Anyway, look forward to the seventh chapter please.
*
Ash wakes up. It has been a couple of weeks and he still hasn't been authorized to leave the house. He has gotten quite restless. He has been electrocuted several times by a Pikachu that is supposed to be his. He still can't remember anything, but knows that this situation feels somehow familiar. He also felt a bond with the Pikachu even though the Pikachu kept on using thunderbolt, thundershock, and thunder attacks on him. Ash looks around for the Pikachu and sees that he is still asleep, Ash quietly leaves the room, but makes certain to keep the door open so that Pikachu won't shock Ash just for not letting Pikachu roam as he wants to sometimes.
Misty often comes by after Ash is done with breakfast, though Misty at first was surprised that Ash could cook. Ash noted that he didn't know how to cook before he disappeared nine years ago, only to return on the ninth anniversary of his disappearance. Ash really felt different around Misty than anyone else that he had seen so far. Ash had seen Misty talk with others and he couldn't understand it, but he wanted to be next to Misty, even though he had just met her in his mind. As Ash finished eating, he quickly took a plate up to Pikachu who shocked Ash just for not still being in the room when he woke up.
Whatever bond we had must not have been too good, Ash thought to himself, as he got his things ready for his shower. When he came out, Pikachu had already calmed down and had eaten his breakfast and went down the stairs with Ash. Ash looked at the clock and noticed that usually Misty was here by now. Yet, she was late. Ash hoped that she was with Professor Oak talking him into letting Ash go. Ash was beginning to feel a deep wanderlust. He couldn't explain it, but he felt the need to be moving about traveling and exploring even if it is the same area over and over again.
Ash begins to watch the television until he gets bored with watching the news constantly conversing about how the Pokemon Master had just been found on the shores of his hometown when he had disappeared for nine years. His whereabouts where still a mystery, but it was stated that Professor Oak knew where he was and would be until it was decided that the Pokemon Master, Ash Ketchum, was ready again to move about on his own.
Ash felt that he no longer had control over his movements. He felt bound by Professor Oak and didn't want to disobey what he was told, but he still didn't want to be in a house when there was no other reason why he had to stay there. When Ash finally turned the television off from frustration of watching the same thing, he noticed that Misty was coming with two people, guys, this time, Ash suddenly felt a pang of jealousy, but fought it down thinking that it was because he reasoned with himself that they were probably two boys that he might also have known.
Ash opened the door for them and the people came in followed by Misty. The two newcomers both hugged Ash in a friendly way when they came in. Ash was too surprised to do anything about it. He had no clue who they were or why they were doing what they were here. All he knew was that they seemed to know him. When they were all in the house and the door was shut, they were all sitting down.
Pikachu seemed to know who they were, even though Ash didn't still think that Pikachu liked him. Although, Ash didn't think that anyone would notice, he sat down as far away from where Pikachu was. Yet, everyone noticed, but didn't say anything. The silence dragged on, as no one seemed to know what they should say. It all seemed that they were all silent for the time until finally Misty spoke up.
"Ash, I wanted you to meet Brock and Gary. You knew both of them and, uh," Misty hesitated, "Brock was one of our friends. Gary was your own personal rival."
"Oh," was all Ash responded with.
The silence picked up again. This time it wasn't too long until Gary spoke.
"Well, Ash it seems that you survived being in the river twice now."
"What?" Misty cried. "I didn't know about any of that. He fell in a river again?"
"When?" Ash asked, eager to learn anything about himself.
"Great!" Gary sighed dramatically. "He forgets everything again. I just wish that I had found him before Team Rocket had knocked him into the river when I had found him."
"You mean that you had found him before you came back!?" Misty cried, her face betraying rage, making Ash very uneasy. However, this seemed to also comfort Ash somehow.
"U-uh," Gary stuttered. "Y-yes. I tried to pull him out of the river, but I couldn't. All I managed to pull out was a ring he was wearing, but I seemed to have lost it before I could get to a phone to call gramps."
"So, you mean that you found him and Team Rocket attacked him?" Brock asked.
"Yeah. I don't know why, I just used my Arcanine to roar, but I was still to late and the current was too swift for me to try to jump in after him. I searched the river for any signs that he woke up along the banks or if anyone had been able to pull him out, but I couldn't find anything. So I went to the nearest phone to call gramps, but found out that he had shown up here that morning. After I heard that, I came back as quickly as I could."
Suddenly, an image flashed through Ash's mind: Rain coming down very hard, a strong determination to save something that was worth more than himself at that moment, and a feeling of despair as he entered darkness. When Ash realized that the conversation had continued, he noticed that he was sweating. Misty leaned over to him and whispered, "Are you all right?"
Ash could hear the concern that she held in her voice. "Yeah. Um, why do you ask?"
"Well, you just seem to be uneasy for some reason," Misty replied. "I was wondering if something may be wrong."
"Oh, it's nothing," Ash replied, planning on thinking over what he suddenly remembered later when he had some time to himself.
"All the time that we've been together I have not known you to be this bad at lying," Misty said, raising her voice away from a whisper so Gary and Brock could hear as well.
"What was that?" Brock asked eagerly.
"It's nothing," Ash said, getting up and walking up the stairs, doing what he could to remain calm.
"What was that about?" he heard Gary ask.
Let them talk about me, Ash thought bitterly. They have no idea what it's like to hear people talk about you when you can't even remember who they are let alone what they're talking about. Ash felt a tear slide down his cheek as he thought, They have no idea what it's like to not even know who I am. Ash suddenly felt angry at nothing in particular; just the situation he was in. He decided to try to get to the forest. If he could make it there, then he should be able to make them think that he really isn't who they thought he was. Though, that thought really hurt Ash. He really felt a connection, but couldn't place it.
Ash went to his room and shut the door. He pulled open his drawers to the dresser that was in his room that had the clothes that he was told were his and left them open with him standing over the drawer. He wanted to run until he couldn't feel anything anymore, but he couldn't bring himself to do that. He felt trapped. He wanted to do the opposite things and was only able to do one. Soon Ash closed the drawer and walked over to the desk in the room. If this is really where I lived, then there should be something here that confirms it, Ash told himself.
Ash began methodically going through the drawers in the desk. Most of them were empty, but a few contained papers that seemed to have been written by someone else for all Ash could tell. They were love notes that usually ended in scribbles that seemed to be attempting at crossing out the letter, but failed completely. Quite a few of the notes were signed with the name Ash, but Ash could not recall anything of this. Finally Ash comes across a picture of a couple being married. Ash could tell that the bride was Misty and Ash was the groom. Suddenly another flashback occurs and Ash suddenly is at an altar waiting for his bride to come. A flash occurs and Misty is right there and both say, "I do." When they are asked if they would take this person to be their spouse.
When Ash is aware of his surroundings, he notices that he dropped the picture. As he bends over to pick it up, he notices a book in a drawer that he had originally was empty. Ash pulls it out and realizes that it's a photo album. Ash walks over to the bed as he looks through it. He's so focused on the book that he doesn't realize it when the door opens and Pikachu enters the room trailed by Misty. He begins going through the book and pauses whenever a new memory comes back. The book ends when he received the eighth badge. Ash closes the book gently barely aware of the tears that streaked his face. He was ashamed of himself for acting so rudely when he now knows that they were all just trying to help him and he had basically thrown it into their faces. He also now understood why his Pikachu shocked him so much now. It was because his Pikachu was worried about him. It wasn't that Pikachu didn't like him, but because Pikachu wanted to help Ash, but didn't know what to do, except do as it always had.
Ash jumped when he felt a hand rest on his shoulder. He turned and saw Misty and Pikachu watching him solemnly. It took a moment for it to register in Ash's mind that he hadn't known that they were even in the room. When Ash realized this, he jumped up and cried out.
"Aaahh! I didn't realize that you were here," Ash said, surprise evident on his face.
"It's okay. We've been here for a little while now," Misty replied.
"Pikachu," Pikachu agreed.
Ash felt his face flush as he thought of them watching him look through the photo album. Ash then realized that his face was streaked with tears and quickly turned around and wiped the tears away, as his face became a bright scarlet color. Ash tried to speak and found that he couldn't. All he felt was his throat knot whenever he tried to speak. He even tried swallowing a couple of times and found that that didn't do any good.
"Well, why don't you come back down Ash," Misty offered. "I'm certain that we could help you out anyway that you'd like."
Ash found that he still couldn't talk and just nodded. As he turned around Pikachu walked over to Ash and looked at Ash, while asking, "Pika?"
Ash pulled Pikachu into a tight embrace and Pikachu didn't electrocute him for it. Moments later Ash was walking out of the room with Misty and Pikachu leading the way. When they got downstairs, they found Professor Oak waiting for them. Ash finally found his voice and asked, "Is something wrong?"
Professor Oak turned to face Ash and replied, "I feel that now is the time to tell you."
Ash realized that it was very urgent and wasn't something that Oak was doing lightly. Ash sat down and Pikachu jumped up on the chair next to Ash. "What is it?" Ash inquired.
Professor Oak sighed and began, "Ever since you disappeared nine years ago your mother has been in declining health. She is still in a coma that she went into about eight years ago. No one knows why she still lives, but I think that it is because she wants to see you again. There is no pain greater that I can think of than outliving your own children. I think that she only lives because she wants to see you again, Ash."
Ash nods, realizing that he hadn't seen anyone around that had talked about his parents, though he now remembered them, he hadn't noticed that that was one subject that had not been brought up before. Ash also could see why they didn't want to talk about it. No one ever wanted to be the bearer of bad news. Especially of news of this nature. "Well, then c-can I s-see her?" Ash asked, stuttering.
"I have a taxi out front to take you to the hospital. I believe that you have regained your memory; or at least a vast majority of it?" Prof. Oak asked.
Ash hesitated. "It's all right," Oak comforted. "Your mother's Mr. Mime told me. I have been taking care of him since your mother went into the coma. We've gotten quite close."
Ash nodded and began to walk out of the house. Misty started to follow Ash, but Professor Oak told her to stay back. Ash waked out to the cab and Pikachu got in the cab as well. Then the driver took him to the hospital, where he was then escorted by a very insensitive and unfriendly doctor to the room where his mother was.
* * * * * * * * * * *
Professor Oak did not want to say this, as he feared that Misty's heart would be broken again, but he knew he had no choice. He had to make certain that everyone knew this possibility. Prof. Oak took a deep breath before he began, "I know that everyone is excited to have Ash back, but I want everyone to think about this possibility. Ash has been gone for nine years. It makes sense to believe that he had amnesia then as well." Prof. Oak took a deep breath. This was harder than he had anticipated. "All we know is that for those nine years he was alive. We do not know, however, what went on during those nine years. For all we know Ash had started life over again, and," Professor Oak looked at Misty, "started a family of his own." By the expression on Misty's face, Oak knew that she hadn't thought of this possibility. "I don't want to dampen anyone's happiness, but we need to think, where has Ash been these past nine years. What has he been doing? Gary found him near Cherrygrove City, but has he been there for the past nine years or has he been somewhere else. I know that his memory has returned, but he still doesn't remember those nine years that he was gone. If his memory does come back, which life would he choose? Which life would he want to live?"
Misty ran off when Professor Oak stopped speaking. He knew that that thought would be especially hard for Misty, but she would have to deal with it on her own. He didn't like to know that there was nothing that he could do, but he had to admit that he was powerless with that.
"So can we do?" Brock asked.
"That's the main problem," Oak replied. "I don't believe that there is much that we can do. We can only think about what he would decide. We also can't ask him, because if he doesn't remember it, then he wouldn't be able to tell us honestly as he wouldn't know what those nine years held for him. He would only know what he remembers in this life."
Brock and Gary nodded. Neither could think of a response for that and they just sat in silence, neither one of them making a sound, lost in their own thoughts. Oak wanted Ash to go visit his mother as even the doctors knew how much time she had left. Oak knew that it was very important for him to see his mother even if it was the last time. Oak could only hope that this would get his mother to begin regaining her strength.
* * * * * * * * * * *
Upstairs, Misty did not know what to think. All this time Ash was gone, she had wanted nothing more than to have him back in her life, but now she didn't know what to think or want as she thought about how Ash could have forgotten her and possibly have started a family. Even though it hurt, Misty wanted Ash to be happy, even if it meant that he would be with someone else. There's still time, Misty thought to herself. That might not have happened, and so he still might have me in his heart. He still might love me.
When Misty was done crying, she went back downstairs only to find Gary, Brock, and Professor Oak gone. She looked around and found a note letting her know that they went over to Professor Oak's house for the night. Misty then looked at the clock and noticed how late it was getting. She really was surprised to see that it was almost nine in the evening. She didn't even realize that the sun had set. Misty looked around and didn't see Ash, so she then decided to go to the hospital to see if he was still there.
She felt refreshed as she walked to the hospital. She went to where Ash's mother was staying and when she was going into the room. As she was about to enter, the same doctor pulled her to the side to talk with her.
"What do you want?" Misty demanded, waiting for the doctor to begin proving once again that he was a jerk.
"I just want you to know that I'm sorry for saying that Ash was dead, but I also wanted to let you know that it is mere chance that he is still alive. I do not think that if he disappears again that he will be alive. So you should prepare yourself for his eventual death."
"I'm not going to die!" Ash cried, apparently having heard them while in the room.
The doctor just walked off, clearly not interested in continuing the argument further at the moment. Misty then walked into the room. Ash was walking over to his mother's side, sliding his own hand into his mother's hand. Misty walked over, moved a chair next to Ash and sat down in the chair. They sat together for a few minutes with the only sounds coming from the hospital machinery.
"So, what are going to do now?" Misty asked, uncertain of really what to say.
"Well, I think that I'd first like to get things settled around here. I hope my mom will wake up soon. I'd at least like to say good-bye to her before she dies if this is her deathbed," Ash replied.
Misty was surprised to hear Ash talking like this. The Ash Ketchum she knew didn't talk so pessimistically. He really has changed, Misty said to herself. He seems more refined and thoughtful than he used to be. Maybe these nine years were meant to be good for him. Misty wished that Ash would let her into his heart again, as she could tell that he was distant. He must be working things out in his mind.
Ash seemed like he was about to go when his mother stirred. This caught both Ash and Misty by surprise. Delia opens her eyes for the first time in eight years and turns her head to Ash. "I'm glad you're back," she whispers.
Ash only seems to be able to nod. Misty also notices tears beginning to streak his face. She feels really sorry for Ash that he had to come back only to find his mother like this. Delia then closes her eyes for the last time. Misty and Ash feel her go peacefully. Soon the machines begin making the sound that means Delia has no pulse. Ash is now crying freely. Misty really wants to comfort Ash, but she no longer feels as close to him as she once was. The feeling of being unable to help comfort Ash really hurts, but Misty doesn't want to hurt Ash.
Soon doctors come in and make certain that they can't do anything to revive her. Ash tugs on Misty's sleeve and Misty follows Ash out of the room and then out of the hospital with Pikachu trailing them. They walk silently back to Ash's house. When they arrived, Ash turns to Misty and asks, "We were married weren't we?"
Misty is surprised when Ash asks this as she wasn't expecting this. "Y-yes," Misty stammered.
Ash sighs as he looks towards the starry sky. "I don't know why but I feel that I'm needed elsewhere as well as here."
"Then why don't you try to find where else you're needed?" Misty asks.
"Well, I just don't feel like I'm needed wherever it is as much as I am here right now," Ash says, looking at Misty and giving her a wink.
Misty is surprised at this. All Misty can do is smile shyly in response. Ash really was different. But I like him like this, Misty says to herself. Ash wraps an arm around Misty's shoulders leading her into their house, leaving the house that Ash had been staying at alone. "Let's just spend tonight together, okay?" Ash asks Misty.
Misty nods and they enter the house, while Pikachu decides to give them some time alone.
* * * * * * * * * * *
Marin looks at the sky as the sun is setting. The few clouds in the sky shining brilliant colors of red and gold. Marin is still a little depressed over Yellow being gone, but she knows that she has to put her grief aside for the time so she can focus on her children and not neglect them. Again, she can't help but feel a sharp pang in her heart as she thinks of Yellow. He was so sweet and gentle to her, yet she thought that they would have much more time together.
"I guess that that's what they mean by you never know what you had until you've lost it," Marin says to herself aloud.
Misty was training her Ponyta as well as a few other pokemon that she had taken a liking to. Tarin was already asleep in his room. Marin always now seemed to want a time of day to be alone so she could think. With Yellow gone, Marin knew that she wouldn't want Misty to go on the journey that Yellow had told her that Misty would want to go on. Marin smiled wryly, if it wasn't for Yellow, I never would have known how much this made Misty feel.
At least when Misty is gone I'll still have Tarin, Marin thought. I won't be alone then. Marin then thought about how much Tarin seemed to enjoy taking care of the pokemon and even playing with the pokemon who didn't seem to like Tarin much. Tarin seemed to be at home with pokemon more than he seemed to be with other people. Marin often thought about that problem. A time would come when Tarin would need to interact with others. If Tarin wasn't ready when that time came, then he would be helpless no matter who he had to support him. Marin didn't like thinking about that, but she could feel that deep in her heart. No matter what Marin did, that feeling was always there like a sinister storm over a peaceful town. Just waiting to strike.
*
Author's Note: How was that? I'm certain that not everyone likes how I've taken this story, but hey, with me being a neurotic, I often get people upset just by talking to them in a regular conversation. Anyway, I've thought about how I will eventually end it as all good things must come to an end. I'll announce the decision after I complete the endings so no one can try to change my mind about it. I also know that this chapter was much longer, but I figured that the more information I gave here meant less information for later chapters. Also, I will not kill off anymore characters in this story after this chapter. I only had Delia die because I didn't want to make things more difficult for myself as I then would have to include her in the story and I know less about her character than I do about Professor Oak and I know very little about him anyway. If I did get his character right on then it was pure chance and nothing more really. I also wanted the death to be peaceful rather than dramatic. I feel that often times things get over dramatized over very simple things. Anyway, look forward to the seventh chapter please.
