Who I Am - Lightning99
Chapter 16:
Four Days
In the first minute following James' message, the room was silent. In the second, it descended into a wild cacophony of voices as everyone denoted their disbelief and demanded James elaborate, pleading him to confirm it wasn't all a joke. Clemont, Delia, and Red were the only three that didn't speak. The couple eyed one another, then threw themselves into a crushing embrace, sharing joyous tears that could only have come from the alleviation of the agony they had both so expertly camouflaged with altruism.
Clemont tried to gather his thoughts into a rational response, an onerous task when pitted against the clamour. He couldn't do it. He tried to control his confused miscellany of emotions – euphoria, comfort, relief, rejuvenation, but also uncertainty. He tried to sort them, to convince his body to feel one thing at a time but was overwhelmed by the solace of his mind's sudden reversal. Clemont could only grin, wider and wider, happier and happier. Everything he had accepted in the past two weeks vanished as if he'd been trawling through a mirage the whole time.
Ash is alive!
"Woah – wait, everyone shut up!" Blue bellowed. The former champion swayed into the middle of the room. Their uproar slowly softened; they settled, agitated, into seats again. Blue stoically faced the monitor. "What are you talking about?"
Jessie groaned, and James flicked his eyes at her, then back. "Exactly what I said. Ash is alive," James said.
Clemont suddenly broke free of his stupor, running as close to the screen as he could, barging Barry aside with the force of a Buffulant's Take Down, who wobbled and then face-planted onto the rug. "How do you know? Is he ok?!"
"Yes, he's fine, Clemont, and he's in Alola, same place as us."
"How do you know?" Paul repeated.
"We saw and talked to him," Jessie bluntly answered. "Aren't you guys enemies or something? Why do you care?"
"Hmph, I could say the same," Paul retorted.
Jessie shrugged, "Yeah, well he's alive so there you go," she said as if it wasn't the biggest revelation of the century, disappearing off-screen.
Their liveliness paused and silence substituted in. But only momentarily; Brock, with tears dangling fresh on his eyelids, climbed into the sliding chair set up in front of the Ketchum's computer and started typing.
Barry whistled, then, and the murmuring resumed. "Hah! This news completely revokes all your bad deeds under Team Rocket! Awesome work, guys and gal!" he shouted, idiotically jumping and cheering. Clemont laughed for the first time since the falsification of Ash's death. A real laugh.
"Settle down, Barry," Gary said, grabbing the blonde's shoulder, but there was a smirk on his lips. "How did you see him, James?" Gary asked forcibly, distrusting.
James didn't so much as blink at the tone. "After stopping a crime here in Alola–"
"Heh, yeah," Meowth huffed, folding his paws pompously.
"Ash came running onto the scene and we talked with him. He didn't seem to know he was publicly reported dead, so there's that. Someone must have said–"
"Oak…" Clemont muttered. He tightened his fists, sucked in a deep breath. But he let it all go. There was no need to be angry anymore. Oak was going away, and Ash was alive. The world had righted itself.
"Probably."
"No, definitely. We've just had him arrested," Clemont explained.
"Ooh, nice work! I'm glad to hear it!" James said. "Anyway, we haven't seen Ash since, but he's definitely here. In fact, we've been staying next to him in the Pokémon Centre for a few weeks now. My advice to you would be to get some tickets out to Alola as soon as possible. We would have called you earlier, but we've been caught up. As a matter of fact, we have to leave shortly for a night-time training exercise. We've become trainees for the Alolan Police Department."
"Woah! Nice work!" Blue said, impressed.
Across the room, Brock grunted, pushing back on his chair, "The next plane out to Alola is in four days."
"Oh, so that's what you're doing… Wait, are ya kidding me?! I'm gonna fine that stupid airport right now!"
"Calm down, Barry," Dawn lightly berated. He slumped back down onto the settee pouting. "I would book them right away, Brock," she urged.
"Who's coming? How many do we need?" Brock asked.
"Me! Definitely!" Clemont shouted.
"Oh, me too!" Bonnie added, then Paul joined, followed by Gary, Dawn, and Blue.
"Actually, everyone, I think it is best if only a few people go," Delia said. She walked over to the computer, requesting if she could take the seat. Brock obliged, stood, and Delia slid into the chair. "I will pay for everything. Now, as much as I would love to go and see Ash right this moment, we have to think rationally. Samuel has just been taken in, so we will likely be called upon as witnesses to give our statements. Therefore, Red and I cannot go, and neither can you, Blue. She will more than likely only require our information if we say everything we know. That just leaves you, kids."
"Alright, I get the gist of it. I'm really sorry, Mrs Ketchum, everyone, but we have to head off now. Just so we know, we will meet you at the Hau'oli Airport in four, well, five days counting the flight out," James said, offering them a light wave.
"Thank you so much!" Delia shouted to them before they could end the call.
"Not a problem, ma'am. We will see you soon," James said, and he ended the call.
"Alright, I think I should go!" Gary shouted.
"Denied, kiddo," Blue swiftly said.
"What?! Why?"
"Delia, Red, and I will be working with Officer Jenny for this case on your Grandfather, so I need you to stay and look after your mother and sister," Blue said, ruffling his hands through Gary's hair.
Gary swatted at Blue's hand, "But Dad, I need to go and see Ash! I'm his first-ever rival, we've been together since we were kids!"
"I get that, Gary, I do," Blue said, "but I think there are some people here who want to see Ash even more than you."
"But I–"
"Gary, please think of it like this," Delia offered, "Brock has been with Ash for years. Through nearly all of his adventures. He and Brock have been together for so long, I assume the lie hit him extremely hard, about as hard as it did me. While I don't doubt how much you care about Ash–"
"Hold on–" Brock tried to interject.
"We're not as close as he and Brock are…" Gary sighed, wiping his eye with his index knuckle. "Yeah, you're right. I know that. In that case, I think Dawn should go too."
"W-What? Why me?" Dawn asked, bashfully.
"Because I've been with you, Paul, and Barry in Sinnoh for a few years now. You always talk about the things Ash taught you, how he helped you out. You even called him every month to keep track. Nobody else did that, except Brock," Gary explained.
"What about Paul and Barry?"
"Nah, I'm good," Paul said, pushing off the wall with his shoulders. "Ash and I were rivals, yeah, but it's enough for me knowing he's still alive. You can pass on my message for him, Dawn: I've gotten stronger, and one day, we'll see who's the best. Thanks in advance."
Dawn nodded her head and looked towards Barry's bafflement. "Hah?! You don't wanna go?! C'mon Paul, we're going to see Ash!" Barry countered Paul's calm response. He turned on the adults, looking ready to plead his case. "Listen, you gotta let me go! I can't wait anymore."
"Barry. Seriously, don't argue," Paul said. "Don't worry, I'm sure we'll get to see him again soon anyways."
"Aww…" Barry whined, his arms drooping. He straightened and then sighed. "Fine. Yeah, you're right. If anyone should go, I think it should be Brock, Dawn, and Clemont."
"Huh? You think I should go?" Clemont asked, hardly expecting the vote of confidence. He was planning to pledge his attendance next anyway but hearing someone agree beforehand was a surprise.
"Of course! You've gotta smooth things over with him, right? The whole blackmail and misunderstanding."
"I agree," Delia said. "We can look after Bonnie for a while."
"What?! I can't go?!" Bonnie cried, bounding towards Delia.
"I'm afraid not, Bonnie. I would say you can go too, but too many people might alert whoever those men Oak worked with are. Besides, Red has a surprise for you!"
Red smiled lightly and tossed out a Pokéball. From it materialised a black-bodied Pokémon hidden behind pure white wool, two dangles of grey intertwined woollen ropes siding its face.
"Ahh! It's so cute!" Bonnie said, diving for its woolly body.
"This is Wooloo, a Pokémon from the Galar Region. We went there on our travels when we were younger," Delia explained. "Maybe Red and I can introduce you to some new Pokémon whilst the others are out finding Ash."
"Ok! That's fine! Hi Wooloo, I'm Bonnie!" Bonnie said, waving.
"So, three tickets to Alola in four days' time?" Brock asked.
Confirming the information with everyone one more time, Delia started the purchase process.
Meanwhile, Clemont stopped listening. He had four days to prepare himself to see Ash again, to correct the mistake he'd made now that he was devoid of Oak's blackmail. Apprehension already began to build, to gnaw at his nerves. Clemont didn't know what would happen, but this time, like on his approach to confront Oak, he let go of the fears. No matter if he kept them or let them go, Ash's response in four days would still be the same.
Four days.
"Three days?! I have to wait three days to take on the Grand Trial?!" Ash exasperatedly asked.
"I'm afraid so, Ash," Hala answered, lugging a log of timber over his shoulder. Ash followed as he walked across the plaza. "I have a busy schedule, including a meeting to attend the day after tomorrow with the other Island Kahunas – well, if Nanu can be bothered to attend, hah hah!"
"I was looking forward to it, too…" Ash sighed and picked up a log of timber after Hala. Hala nodded towards him, his straight-lipped expression curving into an appreciative smile.
"Pika…" Pikachu whined.
"In that case, spend the next three days, counting today, polishing your skills as best you can. We battle Friday night. I must admit, you are the challenger I am most keen to face. I've heard great things thus far. I am curious about you," Hala said, and the pair placed down the timber logs.
"Alright, I'll get to it as soon as we finish here!" Ash grinned, lifting another log.
"Thank you, Ash."
By the time all the logs had been moved and the Machoke arrived to haul them to the market, the dim sunrise became another bright day over Melemele.
Ash wiped the sweat from his forehead as he waved off Hala. Jogging down the path, his mind was set on discovering a secluded place to train. Before he could make a plan though, Ash ran into Lillie and Kukui at the bottom of the steps. They both were breathing fairly deeply, Lillie more than Kukui.
"Oh, morning! Ah, I mean, Alola!" Ash corrected, slightly embarrassed he hadn't yet learned their customary greeting.
Kukui, who was stretching his muscly arms, flaunted by his sporty t-shirt, chuckled. He blew out and grinned. "Alola, Ash! What are you doing here so early?"
"I wanted to talk with Hala about the Grand Trial, but he's busy so I've gotta wait," Ash explained, grumbling.
"Yeah, the Kahunas are busy people! It's difficult to get 'em at the right time."
"Seems so. What about you two? What are you doing here so early?"
"Oh, well we're out on a morning jog," Kukui explained.
"Really? I wouldn't have thought running was a passion of yours, Lillie. No offence, of course. Yeah, that didn't sound right…" Ash said, awkwardly fumbling his words.
"It's alright, Ash. I'm not offended. You're completely right: it wasn't. But, since I've been staying with the Professor, I've been trying to change. I want to become more confident and capable so – umm, nevermind. Professor Kukui suggested jogging to help relieve any stress I have, so I join him every now and again," Lillie explained, shyly.
"Wow, good on you, Lillie! Do you mind if I join? I'm trying to think of a new place to train before the Grand Trial in three days, so jogging might help me think," Ash said.
"I see. Well, we're heading Route Two way next, so you're welcome to join," Kukui said, and with that, the trio set off down the trail.
After about ten minutes, Lillie tapped Ash's shoulder. "You know," she huffed, "I know a place around Route Two when Nebby wandered off one time. Would you like me to show you?"
"Yeah, thanks! Oooh, I'm so looking forward to this Grand Trial!" Ash shouted, and ran on ahead, leaving Lillie and Kukui smiling behind him.
About an hour later, Ash was waiting for Lillie along Route Two. She said she didn't want to spend the day without showering, so she went home first. Ash, on the other hand, didn't care so much. He felt good about his morning; he'd had both a good work out and had fun while he did. Now, the only thing on his mind was the Grand Trial.
Ash grew restless waiting. He aimlessly wandered along the route for a few minutes, stopping at a slope he had previously missed. Peering back down the path, and seeing no sign of Lillie, Ash's curiosity led him along the path. A woman walking the other way offered him a small expression that was neither a smile nor a frown; it looked sympathetic. Smiling back, Ash continued, reading the sign placed at the top.
"Hau'oli Cemetary," Ash read. He staggered back from the board. It seemed impossible for a cemetery to exist in Alola; something about Alola's atmosphere made such a thing feel otherworldly. There couldn't possibly be something like that in such a happy place. But that was only a foolish thought. Ash walked on.
It was a small cemetery. Four rows of smooth, bright grey headstones, all different, wrapped together with some trimmed hedges. Vibrant flowers comforted the sides of every grave. Everything was silent or close to it; Ash could hear a light breeze whistle, but even that seemed to quiet down in just that area. He said nothing to interrupt the people already milling around: a young girl and who appeared to be her mother, an elderly man, another man in a suit.
Ash walked across the rows, reading the names of both Pokémon and people. Somehow, it warmed yet saddened him when he saw a Growlithe and a police officer buried together. The act of reading them in itself seemed surreal.
As Ash started to consider his curiosity an intrusion, he froze in front of one beautiful grave with a curved headstone and a wreath of flowers draped over the top. The name on the grave read: "Aina" above "Beloved Mother and Wife". Immediately, Ash made the connection. The name of the café Mallow's family-owned was Aina's Café. Then, Aina had to be related to Mallow, her mother possibly, seeing as he had seen her father in the café's kitchen but never her mother. He couldn't believe it. Mallow always seemed so happy and cheerful, so confident. She certainly was a strong girl if she could act in that way despite the heartache. Ash couldn't imagine losing his mother.
Feeling as if he'd intruded, Ash walked away from the cemetery, catching the name of the grave beside Aina's accidentally: Mohn Aether.
"Ash! Sorry I made you wait for so long," Lillie said, skipping to his side, holding down her large hat.
"It's no problem. I – did a bit of exploring while you were gone," Ash said, looking away from Lillie. Did she know? "Where did you want to show me?"
Lillie perked up and grabbed the strap of Nebby's bag. "It's very well hidden, so I will have to show you. It's just past Verdant Cavern."
"Lead the way!"
The location Lillie led him to was an open-roofed meadow beyond Verdant Cavern and the craggy clifftop, through an arch of rock hollowed out of the mountainside. Yellow flowers filled the grassy terrain, the buds and tree-leaves rustling in the breeze, petals and leaves blowing into the air. Ash caught a vivid yellow petal in his fingers. Now that peaceful, beautiful sight fitted Alola.
"This is Melemele Meadow," Lillie said, crouching down to pick a petal from a flower. "All of the flowers here are a special kind of flower only found in Alola. They're special because the flowers change colour between yellow, as you see here, purple, red, and pink depending on the island they are grown on. The nectar from each of these flowers allows a Pokémon named Oricorio to change form if they consume it," Lillie happily explained.
"Woah… I'd love to see that!"
"Me too! I have never seen it either since I haven't been to any of the other islands," Lillie said, sadly. "Follow me!"
Ash took everything in as they crossed the whole meadow, stopping at the far wall. As if dug by a Drilbur, a small hole was cut into the foot of the mountain. Immediately, Lillie's bag began to rustle, and Nebby flew out of it, startling the young girl. Without wasting a moment, Nebby fled into the hole, its excited yipping echoing as it disappeared inside.
"Oh no… I should have known this would happen. Nebby always gets excited when I come here because it is one of the only places it can roam freely."
"You mean we're going through there?" Ash asked keenly, getting lower to peek through. There was a cave on the other side.
"Yes, that's right. Umm, Nebby ran through one day, so I went to get him back. I was lucky to find the area, too. It's very secluded and peaceful, so I sometimes come here for some time by myself," Lillie answered.
"I see…" Ash started shimmying through the hole first. "Does that mean you want some alone time now?"
"Not necessarily," Lillie said, shaking her head and patting her knees as she got to her feet whence through. "I – I guess I just want some time to think. I kind of, umm, raised my voice with the others last night…"
That doesn't sound like Lillie… Ash thought. I wonder what happened. He didn't ask. Bringing it up with her wouldn't be a good idea.
"Are you worried about their reactions?" Ash asked instead.
"Oh, no, nothing like that. A-Actually they all messaged me this morning to apologise for having caused me to have done so… I'm just a bit upset with myself for raising my voice in the first place," Lillie said.
"I think I get what you mean. Shouting at friends can hurt you just as much as it does them. I've done it before, too, as much as I wish I didn't," Ash said, looking up through an exit to the cave. "Woah! This place is beautiful!"
The exit opened out into a deserted cove formed at the base of the cliff, flooded with water from the sea, and sectioned by pathways made of sand sediment. There was even a palm tree in the centre, and some grass too, at the bottom of the cliff.
"This is Kāla'e Bay! Kāla'e is an Alolan word for clear, calm, or unclouded. Professor Kukui said Hala named the bay when the rock crumbled and the cave was re-discovered."
"This is great, thank you for bringing me here Lillie!" Ash grinned, and ran off, wandering around the area, trying to decide where to practice. The most ideal spot was at the cliff base where there was the most amount of space, but it was occupied already by a clan of Bagon. Ash stopped to watch them for a moment and flinched when another Bagon appeared from above and landed on its head like a meteorite.
"What…?" Ash muttered, baffled. Then, Rotom swooped from his bag's outer pocket and flickered to life.
"Bagon – the Rock Head Pokémon. Bagon dreams of one day soaring high in the sky, so it regularly practices by leaping from cliffs. It often uses its impenetrable head to smash rocks-zzt."
"Huh. That makes a bit more sense. Thanks, Rotom." Satisfied with that – Ash was sure he'd heard that before – Ash wandered away from the Bagon and returned to Lillie, who had taken shelter from the increasing heat of the sun under the palm tree. Ash sat down across from her, and Pikachu jumped down to stretch his legs. "Seems like some Bagon are training right now, so I don't wanna interrupt them."
"That's thoughtful of you, Ash," Lillie said, removing her hat, resting it in her lap.
"Nah, not really," Ash shrugged, leaning back on his hands. "I always consider Pokémon just as I would any other person. They're equal to us, if not even better. It's not especially nice, I don't think. It's how we all should be."
"Yes, I agree! I just wish I was able to get along a lot better with Pokémon…" Lillie trailed.
"Well, I said I'd help you. Do you want to start now?"
"R-Really? Yes, ok!" Lillie exclaimed enthusiastically, some iota of determination overtaking her posture that looked cute rather than super serious.
"Pikachu, come over here a second!" Ash called to his partner, and he padded over. "Alright, so, I'm planning to help Lillie with a phobia she has. Would you be willing to let her pet you?"
"Pika-pi!" Pikachu cried, and Ash chuckled.
"Yeah, he's fine with it!" Ash said and nudged his partner. "Lillie, do you want to try it?"
"I – I will try."
"Ok. Pikachu, don't move, alright? Just stay still and let Lillie come to you," Ash said, and Pikachu nodded his head, turning to face Lillie.
Lillie slowly approached. Her arms were wobbling and her legs shaking. She kept her expression poised and relatively calm, but her movements depicted how hard it was. Ash could hardly imagine being so scared to be near Pokémon, not since it was second nature to him. There had to be a reason she had developed her fear. It was too insensitive to outright ask, but that didn't quell his curiosity.
When Lillie was a step from Pikachu, Ash spoke up. "Just take your time, alright? There's no need to rush anything. Good jog getting so close!" Ash supported, but then Pikachu jumped up onto Lillie's arm and she retreated, shrieking, and flung Pikachu. He landed into the water, but Ash made no movement to get him out. He slapped a palm to his face.
Instead of picking up Pikachu, Ash worried about Lillie instead. She was crouched on the sand, her legs tucked into her chest, her arms wrapped tightly around them, trembling. Even from where he sat, he saw tears brimming her eyes.
"Lillie, are you alright?" Ash asked, cautiously crouching beside her, placing his hand onto her shoulder. Lillie responded with a quiet, cute flick of her voice. "Just take your time. I'll go and kick Pikachu's butt for that," Ash said, feeling relieved when Lillie lightly giggled.
Pikachu flapped his fur dry, then padded up to Ash with his ears drooped forward and his head bowed. "Pika…"
Ash sighed. "Just don't do it again, ok?"
It took a few minutes for Lillie to calm down and relinquish herself from her protective hold.
"Do you want to give it another go?" Ash asked, drawing his hand away from her shoulder.
Lillie nodded her head forwards, slowly, no longer displaying the determination she had at first. "I – Yes, I will," Lillie said, and uncurled fully.
They tried a few more times, but Pikachu's sudden movement seemed to scare Lillie so much she couldn't get anywhere near him again. Once more, Ash apologised for Pikachu's actions and relayed Pikachu's apology, stating his actions were only enthusiastic and not bad-willed.
"I… I don't think we will make any progress now," Lillie said downheartedly, but she was smiling. "Thank you so much for giving it a try, Ash! I really appreciate it. Please bear with me."
Ash grinned. "No worries! Like I said, take as long as you need! I'll help you anytime, ok?"
"Yes, thank you!"
Ash glanced over his shoulder at the cliff face, which was now vacant, the last of the Bagon disappearing into the cave.
"The Bagon are gone now, so I think I'll go and train for a little while. I'll be back in a few!" With a nod and another smile from Lillie, Ash departed to the cliff base to train for the upcoming battle. But now, the Grand Trial wasn't all that was on his mind. He thought about Mallow. He thought about Lillie. It didn't so much distract him, but the thoughts lingered. He wanted to help his new friends however he could.