Chapter 14: Last Stop and Home

On the way to Blackthorn, Aaron received a Tyrouge from a black belt.

After they picked up where they left off, which took about a month after getting lost in the cave, Andy looked at the map.

"According to the map, we have to go through an ice cave." Andy announced.

"Alright. That must be it." Aaron said as he noticed a cave up ahead.

"Well, let's do this." Andy said.

0000

Two weeks later,

"LIGHT!" the two boys ran towards the exist. "WARMTH!"

"Pikachu." (Oh brother)

"Hey. We don't have thick fur." Aaron said to his Pikachu as they lay in the sun.

"Pika" (Whatever)

"Let's go to the gym." Andy said after getting warmed up (literally)

"With my luck, it's closed"

0000

"Closed huh?" Andy said giving Aaron a look.

OPEN

"I was saying "With My Luck". Can't a guy expect the worst?"

"Not you. You go battle Clair. I'm going to go find a newspaper." Andy said.

"And an Officer Jenny." Aaron whispered to Static.

0000

An hour later,

"How did the gym battle go?"

"Alright. The Dratini was pretty easy to beat. However, that Kingdra put up a terrific fight. Static fainted right after it did. If the ref didn't call before hand, it would have ended as a tie. Here's a tip, never battle in a pool against me." Aaron told Andy about the battle.

"Then, because she felt that battle was too easy. Personally, I agree, but she wanted another way to test me" Aaron added

"What?"

"She had me retrieve some Dragon Scale from the Dragon Den. Luckily, that Dragonite was sound asleep."

"At least you got the badge. Right?"

"Yeah." Aaron said showing off the badge.

"So, what do you want to do now?"

"Well, we have about two months before the Silver Conference. Why don't we spend some time at my place, and then we can head on up to Mt. Silver?"

"That sounds like a good plan. Do you want to call your Dad?"

"Nah. Let's surprise him." Aaron said.

0000

On Route 45,

The two boys and the Pikachu were walking along the road when Aaron sighed.

"What's wrong Aaron?" Andy asked.

"I was just thinking. It would probably be better if we could just stop at Mom's place and surprise her, but I don't know where to look."

"We'll figure it out. We can start the search behind your dad's back when we get to New Bark."

"That sound's like a plan." Aaron smiled.

"Prepare for Trouble."

"And make it double."

"Static. Go." Aaron sighed.

"CCCCHHHHUUUUUU!"

"AAAAGGGGHHHH! WE'RE BLASTING OFF AGAIN!"

"If those idiots came up with outfits that reflect electricity, why don't they keep it?" Aaron asked.

"Maybe they don't have the money." Andy suggested.

"LEAVE US ALONE! YOU'LL SAVE MORE MONEY THAT WAY!" Aaron yelled at the stalkers.

"I just hope they don't attack while we're at your place." Andy said.

"I hope so to for their sake. One day, I'm going to find out what it up between Dad and Team Rocket."

0000

A few weeks later,

"HOME!" Aaron said running to his house which was now in view.

"Slow down!" Andy yelled running after him.

"Dad?" Aaron asked walking into the house.

"He must be a work." Andy observed.

"Must be." Aaron said going up the stairs to his room.

Andy, on the other hand looked around. When he came to the kitchen, the calendar caught his eye. (A/N: I'm making up a date) March 16th: Aaron's B-day.

"March 16th? That's tomorrow." Andy said to himself. "Hey Aaron!"

"Up in the attic!" a faint voice called.

When Andy got to the attic, he found Aaron flipping through an album.

"What's this I read about tomorrow being your birthday?"

"Already? Wow. Time does fly." Aaron said not even looking up from the pictures.

"What are those?"

"Pictures from my Dad's traveling days." Aaron answered.

Andy looked at them with his friend. They all had Daniel Ketchem in them. Some pictures had pokemon with him, and some had other trainers.

"Did you know that my Dad started off with a Charmander?" Aaron asked at the picture with a young Daniel Ketchem, a Charmander, and a blond guy in a lab coat.

"No I didn't. But I think I do know what you're doing."

"Going through the album to see if I can recognize my mother?" Aaron challenged.

"Yep."

"You hit the nail on the head then." Aaron said as he flipped to a picture with his dad standing next to an orange-haired boy who had a Squirtle.

"I don't think that's her." Andy joked.

"Cute." Aaron replied sarcastically.

0000

After about an hour going through photos, Aaron, Andy, and Static came to a picture with Dan, a younger Professor Oak, and a young girl Dan's age.

"Wow. Professor Oak sure looks young." Andy joked for the umpteenth time.

"Forget Professor Oak. I'm looking at that girl."

"She's hot." Andy said.

"That would be my mother." Aaron told his friend.

"Really?"

"It has to be. There are pictures of them on a date, holding hands; I've got to find out." Aaron said after flipping some more and digging through another trunk.

"Pi!"(Huh!) Static's ears perked up.

"What's up Static?" Aaron asked.

"Pi Pika chu pika" (I just heard a door)

"Dad's home."

"But it was 11 A.M when we got here."

"And Dad doesn't get home until 5. Maybe 6 or 7. We've been up here this long?"

"I guess. Let's go downstairs."

"Not until I'm 100 percent sure that the girl is my mother. That way, we have something to go on"

"But won't your Dad get suspicious if he finds you up here digging?"

"He's going to think we've been in my room." Aaron told Andy. "I'm not really allowed up here alone."

"I don't think he will think that." Andy started to panic.

"Why do you doubt my plan?"

"I don't know. Probably because I hear him." Andy answered.

"What?" Aaron moved from the trunk to the trap door that leads to/from the attic.

"Hold on Elm. I think I have it in the attic." Dan's voice was heard just under them.

Hide Aaron mouthed.

Andy hid in a wardrobe while Aaron ducked under a dusty quilt.

That was when Dan came up.

TBC