Hey. ANOTHER CHAPTER! YAY! (...) Okay, so sorry i haven't updated in a while. I haven't really been busy so to speak (since i never am), I just haven't gotten around to it. I apologize. Thank you, all reviewers! (SpiritAnime, Ultimate Legendary Master, Stealthfire001, shootnkill, PsychoB, Arisu Tsuranu and Stitch Phantom) COOKIES FOR ALL!
I do not own pokemon. Damn, but if I did...
Let's go. (Oh, by the way, the friggin big line thingys that i usually put in between scenes aren't working today, so i'm using dashes instead. Just a note)
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"You're kidding. I know you're kidding," Caroline said in disbelief, the next day.
Ash shook his head. "No, I'm not. I'm leaving this afternoon."
"You can barely walk, much less travel!" Caroline protested, indicating the couch that Ash had laid back on silently for over twenty-four hours. "Your injuries aren't even close to getting healed, and if you do leave, you'll be in constant pain. I'm not just going to let an injured child leave this house just like that!"
"I know, and I'm really sorry. I really appreciate you letting me stay here, and you've been extremely nice. But I've got to leave, I've got to…"
"What's the rush?"
Ash sighed. "It's part of that long story I keep telling you about."
Caroline sighed herself. Every time she would talk to him, it all ended back at that 'long story'. She had asked him why he was in Petalburg City, and he didn't even bother answering.
"And why can't you tell us that long story again?" she inquired.
Ash looked away. "Because…because it hurts to tell…"
Caroline was silent. Over the two days Ash was there, he was acting like a completely different person than who Caroline saw last. She knew that this situation must be serious. "Well, if you ever feel like talking…"
"I know, and thanks." And Ash tried to get up off the couch.
But Caroline stepped in front of him. "You aren't leaving, Ash."
"Ummmm……"
"Not until you're better."
"But—"
"No buts. Lunch is in a half an hour. Call if you need any help." And with that, Caroline walked away.
Ash swore under his breath. He could just feel the Pikachu trail getting colder and colder. By the time Caroline let him out of the house, sure, he'd feel better, but the trail would be so cold, it'd be ancient. He had a feeling that even if he did tell Norman and Caroline about what happened, they would still make him stay until he felt better.
Then I better learn how to walk better…, Ash thought bitterly, annoyed with the unsteadiness in his step. Annoyed that Norman or Caroline had to help him anytime he tried to do something. Annoyed with the pain that followed him like crazy.
Ash glared and slammed a fist into the couch angrily, ignoring the pain in his arm. He couldn't just sit by like this. He had to get Pikachu back, and he had to get him back now. Who knew what kind of bad things Team Rocket were doing with him? They even could have decided to finally give Pikachu to their boss…
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May's hair whipped around her like crazy as she stood about twenty feet away from the helicopter. They had just landed a few minutes ago, just a few miles from May's home, and Misty was just saying a few words to the pilot.
When Misty finally left the helicopter, it took off, and May began to lead the others to her and Max's home.
"It was really cool that you could get us that helicopter, Misty," Max commented, smiling.
"Yeah, it's amazing what a small town Gym Leader can get these days, huh?" Misty responded, returning the boy's smile.
"I bet being so good had a play in it," Brock said.
Max nodded. "Well of course she had to be good. If she wasn't, she wouldn't be a Gym Leader, now would she?"
Misty sweat dropped slightly, but didn't say anything.
They were maybe a mile or so away from May and Max's house when the group began to spot little craters in the earth, just in the field of grass.
May paled. "That was where it happened…"
"Daddy almost died…," Max added quietly. He quickened his pace.
Misty, Brock, and Drew were quiet, just looking around and following the other two.
May and Max ran up to their house and decided to knock on the door first.
"Just in time for lunch…," May said. "Good. Dad will be home too…"
The door opened up hesitantly, revealing Caroline. Her eyes widened when she saw her children, and they both ran up to hug her.
"May! Max! What are you doing here?"
"We heard about what happened on the news, Mom," May explained. "We needed to come home."
"Well, your father and I are just fine, if you were wondering that. But you're just in time for lunch, so come on in—all of you." And Caroline led the five into the house. "So, Brock, how've you been?"
"I've been good, thanks."
"And…I don't think I've met you two before…" Clearly, Caroline meant Drew and Misty.
"I'm Misty Waterflower, the leader of the Cerulean City Gym, and an old friend of Ash and Brock…"
"And I'm Drew…May's………"
"Friend," May finished.
Caroline threw May an amused smile and led them into the kitchen. "I'm sure I can whip up enough lunch for everyone."
Brock offered his services, and Caroline gladly accepted.
"Where's Dad?" May asked, looking around.
"Oh, he's running a little late at the gym. He said he needed to get a few more things done, but he should be home any minute now…" Caroline paused.
"Mommy, we heard that twelve people were injured… Do you know how they're doing?" Max asked.
Caroline smiled. "Oh, I hear that most of them are doing a lot better now. Seven of them weren't injured that badly, so they are doing much better."
"But those bad people got Dad's Slaking, and a ton of other people's pokémon," Max said sadly. "Do you think we'll ever get them back?"
"Of course, honey, I'm sure we will…"
"Caroline! I'm home!" called out a familiar voice, and he came into the kitchen and saw May and Max. "Well! If it isn't May and Max again!"
"Dad!" Max came up and hugged Norman tight. "We were really worried, Dad. We saw the news report……" He looked up at his father.
"We don't have to talk about that now, Max. Let's get some food for now." Norman looked around at the five kids. "Umm… A bit crowded today, huh?"
Misty and Drew introduced themselves again, making Norman familiar with them as well.
"Well, as crowded as we might be, my headcount is still showing that we're one short," Norman said.
May's eyes flashed with anger. She knew her father meant Ash. He was wondering why Ash wasn't with them, she knew it.
Norman got up. "I'll be right back."
Caroline handed out lunch and brought out some more chairs for the people who had nowhere to sit. "Lunch is served."
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"Come on, it's time for lunch. Everyone is waiting."
Ash raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean, 'everyone'?"
"May, Max, Brock, Misty, and Drew are here too," Norman replied. "They just came a few minutes ago."
A sick feeling developed in Ash's stomach. There was no way he wanted to go out there now. After the conversation on the phone… He really didn't want to bring up another nightmare conversation again. "Um…um… I'm not hungry?"
Norman gave him a look. "Ash, come on. At least come out to see your friends."
Ash snorted very softly. Right. Yeah, right. I know they don't want to see me. I know I don't really want to see them. I do know I want to get out of here. Maybe…
"Time's up. Let's go." Norman helped Ash up and began to lead him to the kitchen.
Ash pulled his arm from Norman's tight grip. "I—" He bowed his head. "Fine… Just let go of me."
Norman nodded and went back into the kitchen, seating himself and waiting for Ash. I mean, what's his problem? It's just his friends. Wait… They don't know he's injured, do they? God… Well, they should have at least known he was here. They must've asked Caroline about him…
Ash slowly walked into the kitchen and took the remaining seat, ignoring the stifled gasps and stares.
Caroline smiled. "Good. Now that's everyone's here, let's eat."
May stared. "Mom, why is Ash here!"
Caroline gave her a strange look, and Norman gave Caroline a look that said, 'you didn't tell them?'
Ash looked down at his plate and picked at his food nervously.
"Ash, how'd you get here?" Misty asked, almost loudly. "Four days ago you were in Mossdeep with the rest of us, and I highly doubt you got a helicopter."
Ash shifted. "Uh…"
"And why are you in Petalburg anyway? Did you hear about the accident too?" May questioned.
"I was here because of the 'accident'," Ash hissed.
Norman raised his eyebrows, a little confused. How could Ash have known that something was going to happen in Petalburg? If he did, why didn't he try to stop it?
May glared. "What's that supposed to mean? That you knew this was going to happen!"
"In a way. I got here as fast as I could, but I was too late." Ash closed his eyes as he realized that if he had gone a little faster… Eleven other injured…one killed… Great. The screw ups just keep on coming!
"Ash Ketchum," Misty began in that voice.
"Hey, you guys, settle down. Even if Ash knew that Team Rocket was going to attack, there really wasn't much he could do about it," Norman interjected.
"Team Rocket?" Brock asked. "Now I understand how you knew." He looked to Ash. "And the hunt continues, I assume?"
"Yeah, I guess so."
"And I'm also assuming that you ran into them after you ran off, correct?"
"Yes, Brock. Brief encounter. Nothing resolved."
Caroline and Norman shared a slightly confused look. Maybe this was part of the 'long story' Ash refused to tell them.
There was a silence for a few minutes before Caroline announced, "May, Max, I've been thinking… And I don't think you two should continue your journey."
"What!" May and Max cried in unison.
"Last time you visited, you told me about how Team Rocket was following you around. After the disaster here……… I don't want you getting hurt."
"But, Mom, they're not following us anymore!" May protested.
"Yeah," Max added. "The only reason they were following us was because of Ash!"
Okay. I guess that's my fault too, Ash thought, not saying anything.
"They got what they wanted from him, Mom," May said.
Ash squeezed his eyes shut. They sure did…
Norman looked around the table. "Okay, this is getting me very confused. I'm sorry. But it seems that Caroline and I probably have no idea about what you're talking about. I think it's time to tell us that 'long story', Ash." And seven pairs of eyes stared at Ash.
Ash inwardly snorted. Like I'm telling them everything. I'm just a screw up, it's not like they care. He glared and gestured to May, Max, Brock, and Misty. "They know what happened. Ask them."
"You're the one who experienced it, so we're asking you," Norman countered. "And I doubt they know all the details."
"You're right, they don't. But they would have a heck of an easier time telling it than I would."
"I understand." Norman looked at the others. "You willing to fill us in here?"
The four nodded hesitantly, and Drew sat back, finally getting to hear the whole story himself.
"Misty," Ash began. "The part I told you a few days ago stays between us. I'm pretty sure you know what to keep out." And he left the room.
"Well," May started. "It all started a while ago when me, Max, Ash, and Brock were on our way to Lilycove City. That day was highly memorable. We were minding our own business until Team Rocket came in on a huge machine…"
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man, i'm bad... Well, who wants more? Hmmmmmmmm?
Man, I love the whole Petalburg scene for some reason. For some odd reason, Norman and Caroline are really FUN to write. Strange...