A/N: Because I've had a request in the First Adventures Story, at the end of this story, I'm going to do a Questions and Answers Session like at the end of that one. If I don't answer any questions in this story, I'll answer them at the end of the last chapter. Thank you and enjoyChapter 15 of Aaron's Original Journey.
Chapter 15: Birthday
Previously,
"Hold on Elm. I think I have it in the attic." Dan's voice was heard just under them.
Hide Aaron mouthed.
Aaron hid in a wardrobe while Andy ducked under a dusty quilt.
That was when Dan came up.
"I know it's around here somewhere." He said.
"It would be interesting to see a picture of Professor Rowan. Do you know how rare those are?" Elm's head came into the attic.
"Very. He was never photogenic." Daniel laughed. "Now where is that album?"
Aaron realized that he was holding what his Dad was looking for.
"Oh great." Dan said. "And that is the album with all my pictures in it."
"Including Delia?" Elm teased.
Dan shot his colleague a look. "Yes including Delia."
"Cute Pikachu doll. Was it Aaron's?"
Static, while the others hid, had remained perfectly still.
"I don't remember that." Dan said taking his mind temporarily off the album.
Aaron decided to use the opportunity to slip the album into view.
"Where did that book come from?" Elm said noticing the book that miraculously came into view.
"Oh. There it is." Dan said "I wonder where I should put this doll?" he added as he reached to pick it up.
"Leave it. I could have sworn I saw its eyes move."
"Creepy."
"Very."
"What are you going to give Aaron for his birthday?"
"I've been thinking about that and I think I have an idea."
"And that would be…?" Elm persuaded Dan to tell.
Instead of answering, Aaron's father went over to a trunk in the far corner of the room opposite where Aaron was. He blew on the trunk to get rid of the excess dust and opened it.
After some digging, Dan finally found what he was looking for.
"Here it is. Delia accidentally left it with me. I figured that Aaron should have something that belonged to her."
"Maybe she left it here on purpose. And if not, Aaron might run into her and he can return it."
"I doubt it. To tell you the truth, even I don't know where she is."
"Well, Aaron still has a lot of traveling to do. You never know."
With that, the two adults left the attic.
"That was close." Andy said leaving the wardrobe.
"Tell me about it."
"Pikachu" (They said I was creepy.)
"You were supposed to be fake. Why didn't you hide?"
"Pika" (No time)
"What now? We can't leave the attic until your dad goes to bed, or leaves the house."
"I guess we can explore some more." Aaron said.
0000
The boys dug through more stuff in the attic. Andy had suggested cleaning it when Aaron shot that idea down by replying that his dad would notice. While digging, they found wedding pictures, pokemon pictures, trophies, and baby pictures of Dan and Aaron. Static was the only one who realized something with Aaron's baby pictures. They were all torn in half.
"I think Dad's asleep." Aaron said looking at his pokégear watch.
"What makes you say that?"
"Because it's 2:30 A.M."
"Good point."
0000
When they got down to the second floor, they paused in front of Dan's room.
"I think he's asleep." Aaron whispered.
They snuck to Aaron room which was, of course, covered in Pokemon posters and had books on Pokemon Training.
"You can have the bottom bunk." Aaron said referring to the bunkbed.
"Thanks. Goodnight Aaron. And Happy Birthday." Andy said.
"Night Andy. Night Static."
"Pika Pika" (Night Aaron)
0000
A few hours later,
"Alright. You know the story?"
"We got here late and we didn't want to wake you." Andy said.
"Right. And no mention of the album."
The boys crept downstairs hoping Dan had gone to work.
No such luck.
"Aaron? When did you get home?"
"Dad? Oh. Not until late last night." Aaron told his father who was seated at the kitchen table.
"Very late." Andy added.
"We didn't want to wake you." Aaron mentioned.
"Pika" (yeah)
"And we were too close to pitch camp." Andy told Dan.
Dan laughed quietly at their attempt to pull the same stunt he once pulled on his parents when he didn't want them to know he was up to something.
"Why don't I fix you boys some breakfast?" Dan suggested.
"Great. I'm starving." Aaron said.
"You're always hungry." Andy told his younger friend.
0000
After breakfast,
"Thanks for the meal Dad. It was delicious."
"Not as good as your mother's." Dan whispered.
"What was that Dad?"
"Nothing Aaron. So, what do you want to do today? It is your birthday."
"Well, I was planning on training today."
RING RING RING PHONE CALL PHONE CALL
"Ketchem Residence." Dan said answering the phone. "Hi Elm. What's going on?"
"Nothing much. Have you heard from Aaron yet?"
"Yeah. He's home."
"Great. Can you two come over? I have something for him."
"Alright."
0000
"Hi Professor."
"Hi Aaron. I see you made it back safely." Elm greeted the trainer.
"Have you seen Jim, Vince, and Mar lately?" Aaron asked.
"Yes. In fact they received their first pokemon just last week."
"Oh. I was kind of hoping to see them before the league." Aaron said disappointed.
"What pokemon did they get?" Andy asked.
"Jimmy got a Cyndaquil, Vincent received a Chikorita, and Marina got a Totodile." Elm told them.
"Well, at least they got the pokemon they wanted." Aaron said.
"And I believe I have something that might be of interest to you." Elm said handing Aaron a box "Happy Birthday."
"Thanks Professor." Aaron said opening the box.
When the box was opened, Aaron noticed a purple pokeball.
"Is that what I think it is?" Andy said.
"Yep. It's a prototype Master Ball. Extremely rare." Dan told the boys.
"Thank you Professor Elm." Aaron said admiring the ball.
"No problem." Elm told the boy.
"And of course…" Dan started as he handed a long, thin box to Aaron.
Aaron quietly unwrapped it knowing whatever it was once belonged to his mother.
When he opened the box, he lifted the item out to show everyone.
"It's a Pokeflute." Andy mentioned.
"It does more than put pokemon to sleep that's for sure." Dan laughed at the memory.
"I guess Mom used to play it for me then." Aaron said to himself admiring the flute.
"What was that Aaron?" Dan said ignoring the look Elm was giving him.
"Nothing. I'm going to go try it out in front of the pokemon." Aaron said running out with the flute.
"I'll come with you." Andy called.
After the boys left,
"Why didn't you tell him? That would have been a perfect opportunity."
"I didn't think about it." Dan said.
"How hard can it be to say, "It belonged to your mother and you and your twin brother both were lulled to sleep by that very flute."?"
TBC