Chapter 163 Memories from Sadness Part 1

The next day, Ash is now alone in the Night Club after what happened yesterday with Florinia, and he decides to check up on her.

Florinia: This is all very difficult to process fully. Emotions are ultimately mere electrical stimulation of biological hardware. Even then, what part of that electricity- what neurotransmitter is responsible for, the peace that the system feels upon accepting itself? What evolutionary mechanism had already adapted to protect even the very concept of mechanisms? And even naming the specific chemicals and voltages involved, the routes they trace- How should such things influence my perception as a conscious being? Why is it my eyes that I, as a conscious being, see-through? What makes my emotions so special that they need to be felt more than anyone else's? All of the questions ...Don't have answers, do they? No amount of science or study is equal to the task of solving them. No, it's better to simply accept the way things are, and enjoy the lightness of it all. There can be peace even under siege.

Ash: I hope you're right about this.

Then Ash goes to Zero and asks for the next quest.

Zero: We've got a new report in... Uhh, you may not like this. Some folks in Calcenon have been reporting flickering power and other electrical disturbances in both their city and Labradorra. So, it's either an Electric Type Anomaly... Or there's something down in the LCCC. If it's the latter, I have a feeling there's one spot, in particular, that should be checked ASAP... From the... Labradorra entrance, that is... This may not be pleasant. Should I mark you down for it?

Ash: (Gulps as he remembers Sigmund's dead body) I guess I can check it out.

Zero: No one better for it than you, I suppose. You take care down there. I never was a fan of what they had in that place. If it shows up again, make sure you fix it up real good.

Ash sighs as he heads to LCCC alone, and much to his surprise, Sigmund's body and the PULSE Machine are gone, and a New World Door is in front of them.

Ash: What does that mean? (Takes a deep breath) Let's go.

After getting inside the portal, Ash notices a building similar to Dr. Sigmund's Orphanage, and his mother is standing beside him in her original form.

Ash: Mom? What are you doing here?

Zina: Here is a space in which has been gathered no shortage of things that do not belong. I am here, and so are you, and so are memories, wishes, and all of our other precious, unreal things. What you seek can yet be seen, but don't assume it's not a dream.

Just then, she disappears, and Ash is confused as well as Pikachu.

Ash: So Mom wants me to enter this building?

Then Ash walks into the building and with a light, and Pikachu suddenly disappears.

Ash: Pikachu? Where are you?

Mother: Sigmund, is that you? Come, tell us how your first day of school was.

Ash is confused, but just as he looks into the mirror, he is surprised, he is not himself, but rather a younger Sigmund.

Ash: I am Sigmund? But why?

Ash decides to walk forward until he finds Sigmund's father and mother.

Mother: Well, how was it?

Father: I trust you had a suitably productive experience?

Ash doesn't know why, but he can't control his body and mouth, it is like he is now inside Sigmund's body and watching what he is doing.

Sigmund: Suitably productive, yes, father.

Father: Let us hope it is a more effective learning environment for you than your previous excuse of an educational establishment. I expect more from you than mere proficiency. Am I understood?

Sigmund: Yes, father.

Mother: Why don't you bring your sister her tea? The doctor said two cups a day should help brighten her mood.

Sigmund: Yes, mother.

Mother: It's sitting over there on the counter. Go on, while it's still warm.

Ash watches Sigmund walking towards the counter and brings the tea to his sister, Elizabeth Connal, who is resting on her bed.

Sigmund: Lizzy. said to drink this to feel better.

Elizabeth: (Takes the cup) Of course she said that- she's not the one who has to drink it! Ugh... This morning's tea tasted like a Machoke's backside. Hey, how was your first day of school? Did you make any friends?

Sigmund: I'm... not there to make friends. I'm there to learn.

Elizabeth: Okay, but do both! (Drinks the tea with a horrible face) Oh goodness, what did they DO to this tea?

Sigmund: Machoke's backside again?

Elizabeth: More like a Bidoof's butthole!

Sigmund: Snrrk-

Elizabeth: Hey, do you wanna just... dump this into one of the potted plants for me? Save me, Sigmund! You're the only one who can!

Sigmund: Of course.

Sigmund then takes the cup and pours the rest of the tea into the plant.

Elizabeth: Phew! Thanks. This'll be our secret, of course!

Mother: Sigmund, don't bother your sister for too long. The doctor said she needs her rest, remember.

Elizabeth: (Frowns) I guess you'd better go.

Sigmund: I guess. Feel better, Lizzy.

Elizabeth: Sure...

After leaving the room, Ash also hears Sigmund's mother calling to him.

Sigmund: Now, don't you have homework to do? Best you get to your room and get started. And I don't want to see you reading any of those ridiculous books until you're done! "Fiction" is just senseless drivel to clutter childrens' heads! You'll thank me later in life for keeping you on the straight and narrow.

After Sigmund gets into his room, he puts down his schoolbag and sits at the table.

Sigmund: I should do my homework, I guess. I'm not sure where I left the textbook though. It was probably in here somewhere...

Then he finds a boring textbook about math and geometry, and then he starts to do homework, and for some reason, Ash seem to teleport to another scene, and he finds that he is in the Aventurine Woods.

Elizabeth: Come on, Siggy, hurry up!

Sigmund: Lizzy, just- just a minute! Are you sure this is okay?

Sigmund chases after Elizabeth, until they stop in front of the tree.

Sigmund: Should you really be going this far out?

Elizabeth: Well, I dunno. But Mom and Dad said we moved here so I can get "fresher air," right? They're the ones who said that, so it doesn't make sense for them to not let me outside. Might as well take the chance while they're away!

Sigmund: I guess...

Elizabeth: Besides, how are we supposed to live near a place like this and never see it for ourselves?! What's the point?!

Sigmund can only frown as he continues to chase after his sister, and they stop in front of a Pichu, and Ash can feel Pikachu inside that Pichu.

Elizabeth: Siggy, look! A Pichu! Say, do you think I could be a Pokémon Trainer someday too?

Sigmund: I think you can.

Elizabeth: Heh! Then I guess it starts here! Check out this Pokéball! I found it nearby when we moved in and hid it- just in case. (Rushes towards the Pichu) All right, Pichu! I choose you! Pokéball, let's go!

Then both Ash and Pikachu are teleported back into Sigmund's house, and it seems that both of them are being scolded by their parents.

Mother: I just don't understand what you were thinking! Just look at your new dress! Do you see all these grass stains? Do you have any idea how long it's going to take me to get them out?!

Elizabeth: I'm sorry.

Mother: "Sorry" will not get the stains out! We have enough trouble with you as is. Do you have any idea what kind of pressure all of your medical fees have put on your father's finances?

Elizabeth: (Frowns) I said I'm sorry...

Mother: You can say so all you want, but the words don't solve the problems. What is going on with you? How can we help you?! Have we done something to you to make you want to get back at us like this?

Elizabeth can only cry after her mother is scolding her, and Ash feels bad for both of them.

Mother: Don't you have anything to say for yourself?

Elizabeth: I'm- sorry...

Mother: Heavenly father above, you do try me in these times... (Turns to Sigmund) And you, Sigmund! You should have known better than to let her run off like that! What were you even doing there?

Father: Boys will be boys, my dear. But as men, we have a responsibility to look out for those around us. I'm extremely disappointed in you, boy.

Sigmund can only lower his head, not saying anything in response.

Mother: And there's still the matter of the Pokémon to settle! Honestly, what did you think would happen? You'd just bring this rat home and everyone would be okay feeding it out of our own pockets? I don't think you two understand that money doesn't grow on trees- And for goodness' sake, we can barely take care of you two!

Father: Sigmund may keep it as long as he maintains his grades.

Mother: But-

Father: I've made my decision, and you will not overrule it. There are worse tools to be kept, and perhaps it can be a valuable and motivating incentive. If your grades slip in even the slightest, however, you will be releasing it at once. Am I understood?

Sigmund: (Nods) Yes, father.

Father: (Turns to Mother) Am I understood?

Mother: Yes, dear.

Father: Figure out the details. This has cost too much time already.

Then Ash and Pikachu are teleported to the next scene, where Sigmund is back home from school once more. But the doctor is there and he is talking to the Mother about Sigmund.

Doctor: Since the mixed doses haven't proven effective, we can begin a more aggressive solution. Three times daily, just as I explained. Please read the side effects and precautions thoroughly; they can be quite intense.

Mother: Whatever will help her... We'll do anything for our little Elizabeth, of course...

Doctor: Very good. Any questions or complications, just call. Then I'll be on my way. (Tries to leave, but notices Sigmund) Oh, hello there. You must be Sigmund.

Sigmund: Hello...

Doctor: No need to be shy. I'm your sister's new doctor. We're going to have her right as rain in no time, so don't you worry about a thing.

Sigmund: What, exactly, is wrong with her?

Doctor: Ah... To put it plainly, she's just... She's very sad. And we want to make sure she'll feel better.

Sigmund: That's what the last one said.

Doctor: ...Is it? Well, medicine is an imperfect science after all- and even if something we do doesn't entirely work, it's still one step closer to figuring out what does. We'll get to the bottom of it. Now, I must be on my way. (Leaves)

Mother: I've got to get dinner ready before your father comes home. Why don't you go ahead and get started on your homework?

Sigmund can only nod, but he decides to check on Elizabeth first.

Elizabeth: So... More pills, huh. Hey, Siggy? Do you really think there's something wrong with me?

Sigmund: I don't know...

Elizabeth: I don't understand either. So why... Why all of this? I guess you still have homework to do though, huh. You know, I don't wanna be the person who's like "I have it worse" all the time, but- I think I'd gladly accept the homework if it meant I could at least go to school and see people again. Being cooped up here all the time is going to drive me crazy. But they say it's what's best... I dunno, Siggy. I just don't know...

Ash and Pikachu can only watch the scene with sadness, but they can't do anything as this is just a memory.


And here is a new chapter, now we're going to a new request, what Mythical Pokemon is this quest? Find out in the next chapter.