"Okay, that's the last of my things." Ash said, setting down two bags.
"Pikachu." Pikachu said holding up Ash's Z-Ring, Dynamax Band, and Mega Ring.
"Thanks for the encouragement buddy, but this should be relaxing, we shouldn't need too much battling equipment." Ash said. "But, just in case it probably wouldn't hurt to bring a z Crystal with us." Ash said, popping one into his ring.
"Ash, you should be going, if you want to make it to Pallet and back in time." Professor Cerise's voice was heard.
"Got it Professor!" Ash said. "Come on Pikachu! Let's fly!"
While it wasn't as fast as Dragonite, or as exhilarating as Charizard, or even as smooth as Staraptor, Chloe's Corvinight with his makeshift cabin was the best way to get Ash's mom and her things from Pallet to Vermillion.
"There it is Pikachu, Pallet Town." Ash said as they began to descend.
Shortly after they landed, Pikachu's ears picked up as he ran off towards the woods.
"Pikachu! We need to go meet mom!" Ash yelled after his partner, before chasing after him.
"Pikachu come on, this is no time to play…". Ash said, laying his eyes on a Kangaskhan. A mother and child, and Pikachu seemed like old friends with the mother.
"Who are these two, Pikachu?" Ash asked.
"Pika Pika. Pikachu. Pipipi. PikAh! Pi? Chuuu." Pikachu said telling the story.
"They're your first family?" Ash asked in confusion.
"Pika!" Pikachu said, nodding happily. "Pika pika, Pikachu." Pikachu continued pointing at Ash then to himself, then from the Kangaskhan, and back to himself. "Pikachu Pika Pi!" Pikachu finished pointing back towards pallet then at Ash, then up in the sky followed by himself and Kangaskhan.
"This Kangaskhan, they're like your sibling." Ash said smiling. "And yours guys mom is."
"Pika." Pikachu said sadly.
"Kanga! Kangaskhan!" Kangaskhan said fiercely, raising its fist in the air.
"Pika? Pika!" Pikachu said jumping back, sparks flying from his cheeks.
"Now that's something I don't need a translator for. Pikachu use Quick Attack!"
Pikachu sped forward, dodging Kangaskhan's attack, before leaping at them.
"Now use Iron Tail!"
Pikachu leapt forward, a rainbow of energy blinding Ash's eyes. When it cleared, Mega Kangaskhan stood, blocking the attack.
"Well that's a new one." Ash said. "But you're not the only surprising one. Pikachu use Thunderbolt!"
Electricity flew through the air zapping Kangaskhan where it stood.
"Now Pokeball, go!" Ash called out, throwing it at the stunned Kangaskhan.
'Kangaskhan has been added to your Pokédex.'
"Now even your brother, or maybe sister. Are all Kangaskhan girls? Whatever, now they can come on the family vacation too." Ash said as they re approached Chloe's Corvinight. "Oh, and it looks like Mom started packing.
"Oh Ashlynn, it's so good to see you, I was getting worried." Delia said, fussing with Ash's hair.
"I'm fine mom, and you don't have to call me Ashlynn, Ash is still fine." Ash reminded.
"I'm just so happy you're giving this a go." Delia said. "Which reminds me."
"Delia, I can't find the last bag." A wrongfully familliar voice called out from the house.
"No!" Ash shouted, his aura flaring up. "I told you to stay away!"
By the time Delia caught up to Ash and Richard, Ash had Richard pinned under an aura barrier and Pikachu was ready with a thunderbolt.
"Give me one good reason to not have Pikachu zap you right here!" Ash said, the barrier shrinking around his dad.
"Ashton Richard Ketchum! Stop that this instant, he's trying to make amends!" Delia shouted.
"It's fine, I deserve any hostility towards me." Ash's dad said getting up. "I'm trying to make things right, I really am."
"Why should I believe you?!" Ash shouted. "You left us! Attacked me, and called me a freak!"
"And I gave up what little I had left!" Ash's dad raised his voice. "All I've got left is my Rapidash. I sold the rest to breeders for as much as I could, to start apologizing."
"We don't need you or your money." Ash spat.
"I know, I messed up. I should never have left in the first place." Ash's dad said. "I need your mother, she was my everything at one point, and I wasted it, and now she's given me a second chance to make her happy."
"Mom you can't be serious!" Ash shouted.
"Ashlynn, I won't take that tone from you, and I raised you to give everyone a second chance if they ask for it." Delia said.
"Ashlynn, huh?" Ash's dad said, walking forward.
"Yeah I agreed to mother daughter time before finding out you were still around." Ash said.
"Ashlynn." Delia warned.
"He's not under an aura barrier right now, consider it progress." Ash said angrily. "I'm watching you."
In the cab
"So I take it you didn't tell him I was coming." Richard said.
"For the trip it's her, and no." Delia pointed out.
"I messed up, with you and with Ash. I said things I shouldn't have, and did things I'm regretting." Richard sighed.
"You have to tell our child that, not me." Delia reassured.
Outside the cab
"I don't like this Pikachu." Ash said. "I still think he can't be trusted."
As they landed back in Vermillion, Goh and Chloe were already waiting outside the lab.
"That isn't?" Chloe said in surprise.
"It can't be it." Goh said.
"Ash's Dad?!" They both said in unison.
"Goh, Chloe it's so good to see you two." Delia said happily.
"Hi Mrs. Ketchum, I didn't know Ash's dad would be joining us." Chloe said.
"Well he is family, and has been trying to be better about being present." Delia admitted.
"Ash, are you okay with this?" Goh asked.
"Not in the slightest, but I don't have much of a choice at this point." Ash said.
"Alright everyone, pile in the vans, it's time to head out." Professor Cerise rallied. "Next stop Vacation!"