Chapter 2: A Great Family Reunion
Up in The Hall of Origins, the legendary pokemon of the world were looking down upon Ash in his time of sadness and heartbreak. These pokemon were The Titan Bird Trio, Mewtwo, Mew, The Beast Trio, Ho-oh, Lugia, Celebi, The Regi Trio, Latias, Kyogre, Groudon, Rayquaza, Jirachi, The Lake Trio, Manaphy, Phione, Dialga, Palkia, Regigigas, Giratina, Cressilia, Darkrai, Shaymin, The Swords of Justice, The Weather Trio, Reshiram, Zekrom, Kyurem, Meloetta, Victini and Arceus.
They had seen what The Chosen One's former friends said in such a vile manner, and to them, it was hardly believable. They always thought that his companions were always there to help Ash in his time of need, but it looks like they gave in to their own selfishness and arrogance. They all felt sorry for Ash, but some couldn't help thinking about how to kill the traitors. Except for Axew and Buneary.
"How dare those humans belittle Ash in such a way! Have they no shame for their actions?" roared out Terrakion. He was so infuriated at the traitors, he could skewer them with his horns without regret.
"We ought to make them pay for their horrible remarks." added in Cressilia. She was particularly angry at Dawn and Brock since they helped Ash save her from Team Rocket's trap. She used to think that they were good humans, but now she has a different opinion of them.
Manaphy was crying his heart out, because he couldn't believe what May had become. "How could mama be so mean to papa?! He didn't do anything wrong to her, so why is she acting so… bad to him?!"
'I'm truly disappointed in those humans, but it looks like that Buneary and Axew have made the right choice in standing up for the young boy. Even if it means having to abandon their current owners.', thought Darkrai.
Keldeo went over to the little one to comfort him. "It's Ok, Manaphy. Ash didn't do anything to make her act this way." Manaphy stopped crying, but then he said something that would shatter May.
"I HATE May! I want to be with papa again and find a new mama!", shouted out Manaphy, but not loud enough for everyone to hear.
"I thought I could trust the boy's friends when they saved my life, but now they are nothing more than abominations. And such human abominations must be destroyed for the greater good.", said Mewtwo with anger in his voice.
"The Hero of Ideals is a great individual who doesn't deserve liabilities like these…people.", said Zekrom.
"That's enough, everyone. There will be order in this meeting.", said Arceus in her mightiest voice. Immediately, everyone fell silent to their creator.
"We are not here to decide whether to kill these people or not,", spoke out the Alpha Pokemon,"we are here to discuss on how we are to bring back The Chosen One into high spirits. If he loses all hope for his life, the entire world could be in serious danger. After all, he is the most important human to all pokemon kind."
Everyone listened and didn't speak a word in opposition to their creator's opinion about the boy.
"Over his years as a traveller and a trainer, he has put himself in death's way to save those important to him, human or pokemon. He showed no selfishness in his actions and always did the right thing no matter in what dangerous situation he was in with courage and with truth. He has the virtues of a hero. A hero who is worthy of our approval to become the Chosen One. He, not his former friends, he was the one who always saved us from evil humans and he deserves to hear our true gratefulness. I'm open to suggestions on how we can both enlighten him and thank him.", finished off Arceus.
Reshiram spoke up first. "Mother Arceus, might I suggest that the next time he dreams in his sleep, we are to appear in his dream. There, we can both thank him for his contributions and encourage him not to give up on his life or his dream."
"That is a splendid idea, Reshiram.", said Arceus with a smile and then turned towards the others. "Any more suggestions from anyone?"
Giratina spoke up next. "He will need a much larger team if he is to accomplish his goals. In his sleep, we should tell him to get more members for his group. In the meantime, Mother, may I call upon the pokemon that he helped, released or befriended and tell them about the situation?", finished the Renegade Pokemon.
"That is also a great idea, and yes you may, my son.", replied Arceus.
"Arceus, I want to do something to make papa feel better, but I need your approval to do it.", said Manaphy.
"What is it that you need my approval for, young Manaphy?", asked Arceus.
"I wish to join papa on his journey. He means a lot to me.", replied Manaphy. This truly surprised everyone in the room because a legendary pokemon was wanting to join a human on his travels, but they understood it because Ash was like a father to Manphy and was willing to see him again.
"You may, Manaphy, if that is what you wish.", replied Arceus in a warm tone.
Suddenly, Giratina, Zekrom, Ho-oh, Lugia, Darkrai, Shaymin, Jirachi, Keldeo, Victini, Meloetta and Latias came forward, all with the same idea as Manaphy.
"Mother,", spoke Latias, "I think I speak for everyone with me that we also want to join Ash on his journey. Not because we want revenge on those other children, but because we might have a strong bond with him and that because he is our best human friend.."
"Max used to be my best friend and Ash was the second human I trusted. But because of Max's negative actions, Ash is my new best friend and it would make me happy to be with him.", added in Jirachi.
"I really want to see the human world for what it really is. It is starting to get quite boring in the Reverse World.", said Giratina.
Arceus couldn't believe her eyes. A portion of her fellow legends were actually wanting to join on the Chosen One on his quest, but she was deeply concerned for their safety. There were, after all, humans like Team Rocket who want to take control of them.
"Are you all sure about this decision? You do know you might have to battle with him and enter those little spheres.?", asked Arceus with concern in her eyes.
Kyurem suddenly spoke up. "Actually, I would like to go with the child as well. I really want to see the look on the face of that brown faced female human when she sees me again. I mean, she doesn't like ice-types and adores dragon-types, and I am of both."
"Don't worry, Mother,", assured Zekrom, "knowing the Hero of Ideals, he would never let anything happen to us or his fellow partners. As well as that, we are strong enough to take care of ourselves."
"Besides, I could use a good workout of battles after being at my village for so long and under overprotection.", said Meloetta with a smile.
"Then it's settled. When we are to appear before him tonight, we will tell him what we will contribute to him, our plans to help him and to thank him for all of his generosity for the pokemon world.", said Arceus.
Xxxxx
Back at Oak's ranch, Pikachu has just finished explaining to Snivy, Oshawott, Pignite and Scraggy why Ash was very depressed and what his former friends said about him and his pokemon. They were all furious by the end of the story.
"How could the say such nasty things about us when we even haven't done anything wrong?!" shouted out Pignite. His nose began spouting out weak embers of fire in his anger.
Snivy didn't look too pleased either. "I knew I couldn't trust Iris and Cilan. They are basically Mightyena in Mareeps clothing."
Charizard was enraged at Ash's 'friends' for calling him pathetic."Oh, I'm pathetic, am I? We'll see what they have to say when they get a Flamethrower from me to them in the face."
Suddenly, they heard two voices calling to them."Guys, oh thank goodness. You haven't left yet." "Pikachu, I'm so glad your still here."
The group turned to the left to see Buneary and Axew running towards them with a pokeball each in their hands.
The group growled at the two pokemon, but Charizard gave out a small roar to intimidate them. Pikachu only spoke to them with anger in his voice.
"What are you two doing here? Aren't you meant to be with your trainers who hurt the feelings of my friend?", Pikachu had sparks of electricity in his cheeks, ready to discharge at the wrong answer.
"No, Pikachu. We want to come with you.", replied Buneary with a bit of fear in her voice.
Pikachu was a bit surprised by this. "Go with us where?"
"If you guys, Ash and the other pokemon are going to go somewhere to get away from the traitors and become better, please take us with you.", replied Axew with a sad look on his face.
"Why should be bother with you two? For all we know, you could have been sent here to lead the others to Ash so they could belittle him more. How can we even trust you?", said Oshawott while raising an eyebrow.
"Because,", Buneary turned to Pikachu, "Pikachu, the only reason I joined Dawn in the first place back in Sinnoh was so that I could be closer to your. But after I heard Dawn say mean things about you and Ash, I knew I had to disagree with her and you would run away and I wouldn't ever see you again. But if you are going, I don't have to be her pokemon anymore. I want to be Ash's. This is because… I love you, Pikachu, more than I ever loved Dawn."
Pikachu was certainly taken aback by this. He always knew Buneary liked him as a friend, but he never knew she liked-liked him. Even though she confessed her feelings to him and ran away from Dawn, he just simply gave her a nod in response and understanding. He then turned to Axew.
"What's your reason for wanting to join us, Axew?", asked Pikachu in a slightly angry tone.
Axew turned to Scraggy. "Scraggy, you're my best friend and sparring partner. When Iris called you and the other pokemon pathetic, I knew she was referring to you and I didn't agree with her at all. I also think that Ash is a terrific trainer if he was able to defeat the Hydreigon belonging to Cameron. I don't want our friendship to be ruined because of what my trainer said, because if she thinks you're weak, then I am weak too. I want to be with you and Ash as long as we live so our friendship doesn't break. Because I know he will be a better teacher to me than Iris ever will."
Scraggy was certainly surprised there. He and Axew were best friends, but Axew belonged to another trainer. And here he is now, wanting his approval to continue a great friendship and to have Ash as a trainer instead of Iris.
"Guys, group huddle." said Pikachu to his friends. They all bundled up together and began to whisper very quietly so that Buneary and Axew couldn't hear what they were saying. After a few minutes, the group broke up and faced the two. This time there were no faces of anger, but faces of unsatisfaction with their answers.
"Ok, Buneary and Axew. If you truly want to stay with us, then you will have to prove to us that we can completely trust you again.", said Pikachu.
But Buneary and Axew had just the plan for this. Buneary began to use Dizzy Punch on her own pokeball while Axew used Scratch on his own. Soon, both pokeballs were shattered and in pieces.
"By destroying our own pokeballs, this means we are now catchable by anyone,", said Axew. "and we are officially no longer belonging to Iris and Dawn."
"Good enough for me.". said Snivy. The rest of the group soon agreed with her. They then turned to Buneary and Axew with smiles on their faces.
"Welcome to the team, guys.", said Pikachu as he shook the hands of his new teammates. He then went up to Buneary and planted a kiss on her cheek. She soon had hearts and her eyes, a wide smile on her face and gave a great hug to the mouse.
"Does this mean we're a couple, Pikachu?", asked Buneary eagerly.
"Only after Ash finds out about this and when we leave.", replied Pikachu. "Right now we have to gather the rest of the gang and tell them of what happened."Buneary squealed in delight because she was finally going to be with her beloved after all this time.
xxxxx
Professor Oak was still in shock with Ash's downed attitude. Normally, he would be cheerful and energetic, but he was now as sad as his Torkoal when it cries. Something awful must have happened to him.
Suddenly, the door to the lab opened to reveal young brown haired woman with a basket of food with her faithful pokemon, Mr. Mime. This was Ash's mother, Delia Ketchum.
"Ah, Delia. What brings you here on this fine day?", asked the pokemon professor.
"Not much, Professor. I just wanted to say hi before going home to cook lunch for Ash and his friends.", replied Delia with a smile.
"Mime Mime.", added in Mr. Mime.
"That's funny Delia, because Ash is out in the ranch right now. But there is something that concerns me about the young man.", said Professor Oak in a sad tone.
"What do you mean, Samuel? Did something happen to him? Is my son alright?", asked the woman with much concern in her voice.
"I asked him what was bothering him, but he didn't want to talk and just wanted to be left alone. And I think he seemed to be crying when I took a look at him.", said Professor Oak.
Delia gasped. Her son? Crying? She had almost never seen him cry nowadays, but something must have happened that broke his heart. She had to find out what had happened to her fragile son. Mr. Mime was both confused and saddened.
"I think we should go talk to him, Professor. If something did happen to him, I want to find out what it was so I could make him feel better. It has been a very long time since Ash has cried before and I never thought he would now.", said Delia.
Samuel nodded before the three of them went through the door to the ranches and began to look for Pallet Town's favourite trainer.
xxxxx
In the meantime, Pikachu and the others had finally got the entire gang back together. Pikachu had found Bulbasaur earlier and asked him to make a signal as a call to the others. Bulbasaur used Solarbeam to make a flare in the sky as a signal. In less than a minute Muk, Kingler, Snorlax, the herd of 30 Tauros, Bayleef, Quilava, Totodile, Noctowl, Heracross, Donphan, Sceptile, Swellow, Torkoal, Corphish, Glalie, Torterra, Infernape, Staraptor, Buizel, Gible, Gliscor, Unfezeant, Boldore, Palpitoad, Leavanny and Krookodile showed up. They were all eager to see their trainer and best friend again, but to their surprise, he wasn't with the others. They also noticed Axew and Buneary were with them, which left some wondering why they are here and not with Dawn or Iris.
"So you're finally back form the Unova region, huh Pikachu.", stated Heracross. "Can you tell me what happened to you and Ash while you were there, please?"
"Hey, I'm surprised you're here, Charizard. I thought you were at the Charicific Valley for training.", said Sceptile to Charizard with a look of interest in his eyes.
Gliscor just looked at Buneary and Axew with confusion." What are you doing here Buneary, and where's Dawn?". Then he faced Axew, "And what kind of pokemon are you supposed to be?"
"This is Axew. He's a pokemon form the Unova region,", answered Buneary,"and as for your question, Axew and I have decided to join your team."
The reunion of pokemon went on for a few minutes. The pokemon from Unova were introducing themselves to the ones from the other regions that Ash had travelled to. Oshawott instantly fell for Bayleef, but was soon dejected when she said she liked Ash more.
"Everyone!", Pikachu finally called out, "the reason that you have been called for a gathering was not only just to tell we are back or that to tell Buneary and Axew have joined us, but it's because we have a problem on our hands."
"What kind of problem, Pikachu? Has Team Rocket been bothering you again?", asked Donphan.
"Well, yes, but that is not the reason. The reason is…"
For about ten minutes, Pikachu went on explaining to everyone what had happened when they got back to Pallet Town. How they over heard their former friend's evil words, how Ash ended up wanting to be alone, and why Buneary and Axew have joined them. This was something no-one could believe. Gliscor was snapping his pincers in anger, Bayleef was crying, Infernape looked like he would activate Blaze from pure rage and the others were either shocked or very annoyed.
"How could they say such bad things about my Ashy? Why would they do this?", asked Bayleef, still teary eyed.
"We'll worry about that later. Right now, we need to make Ash feel better. He's like a father and brother to us.", said Corphish.
"He went down to the nearby river. We can find him there.", said Snivy.
Bayleef already took off running. "Then what are we waiting for, everyone? Lets go!", shouted out Bayleef.
Soon, everyone went running, flying and hopping to the river in search of their beloved friend and trainer.
xxxxx
Professor Oak, Delia and Mimey have been looking all over the ranch, when they suddenly saw a large group of pokemon heading towards the river in a huge rush.
"Hey, those are all of Ash's pokemon! And where did that Buneary and Axew come from?", exclaimed Professor Oak.
"Do you think they found Ash, Samuel?", asked Delia.
"We can only find out if we follow them to find out. And it seems that they are heading for the river.", said Professor Oak. They then began to follow the heard of pokemon to the river. When they all got there, they all saw Ash still sitting on the log with his wands on his face.
And it looked like he was crying harder than any one had ever seen.