Hey, everyone, I'm back.

Okay, so THANK YOU to all reviewers! (cookies, cake, etc, etc, etc) I really need to update more often, I know... It's just that I don't want you to finish the story so fast, and then want the sequel when it's only 30,000 words long right now! I need to finish it, I need to finish it...

I STILL don't own Pokemon. I wish I did, but I don't. Honestly, I don't know if I'll ever be able to watch it again. Is it coming on the CW network? Or is it staying on the old station? Or is it just not showing ever again? I don't have cable, people, what am I to do?

Okay...that's enough of me blabbing. Please read and review to get instant cake and goodies. (and a faster update)

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"And he hung up on us. That was the last we heard from him," Brock concluded.

He and the others had taken turns filling Caroline and Norman in, and the only person who was lacking in details was Misty. She had taken Ash's request very seriously, and she gave the others warning glances whenever she knew they were going to try to bring up 'Meowth's Fury Swipe Revenge'.

Norman tapped his fingertips on the table. "There seems to be big holes in your story. For example, I'd like to know what happened to Ash after the first time he left."

May shrugged. "No one really knows. He never told us."

"And you didn't really say anything about when you met up with Ash, Misty."

Misty shrugged as well. "I met up with him, we talked, and we went to Mossdeep, which was where Ash knew Team Rocket was going next."

"And Ash just left again after Beautifly got attacked?" Norman inquired.

"Yes. He called the next day, but he didn't give that much info. That, as Brock said before, was the last we heard of him. We have no idea what happened to him between then and now," Misty said.

"Oh, my, that dear boy!" Caroline exclaimed. "He's been through so much! No wonder he didn't want to talk about it!"

Norman sighed. He didn't know the…situation…was this bad. "Well, at least we now know where that scar came from." He spoke of the scar down Ash's leg. "It doesn't explain the cuts on his chest though. I'm guessing this happened when he was on his own?"

"Wait. When did you get to see Ash's cuts?" May cut in.

Before Norman could answer, Ash began to slowly make his way back into the room. "I'm guessing you guys are finally done discussing the story of my life?" He almost collapsed in his chair.

"Actually, Ash, we were just getting to the interesting part," Norman replied.

Ash shot him a glare. If someone thought that this was interesting, that person clearly—

"I'm sorry. I meant that your friends' story has a few holes in it. Maybe some holes you're willing to fill?"

"Nope. I'd like them to stay empty," Ash stated bluntly. "No offense, but there are some things I like to keep to myself. I didn't tell anyone everything." He looked to Misty. "Like you. I told you that one part, and you, of course, had to tell the rest of the party."

"Ash, I wasn't just going to not tell them about it."

"You could have. But anyway…"

"Ash, we're not done speaking to your friends. They need to know what happened to you when you came to Petalburg," Caroline said.

"Yeah, Ash, what did happen?" Misty asked. "You didn't do something stupid, did you?"

"Well, as I said on the news, I was out training with Slaking when Team Rocket attacked. When I caught up with them, they eventually beat Slaking with Pikachu and their other pokémon," Norman started, ignoring Ash's pleading look that told him not to tell them. "And it didn't really look to good for me. But then, all of a sudden, Team Rocket's Dustox, Seviper, and Cacnea fainted."

"Oh, yeah! By that guy who saved you, right?" Max cut in.

Norman smiled. "I turned to where the attack came from, and there was Ash."

The faces of Ash's four friends went blank.

"Team Rocket was apparently irritated with Ash's interference, so they tried killing him with a grenade. Ash did manage to avoid most of that damage, but he couldn't get up. They threw a second grenade that hit so close to him…"

Ash looked away.

"He was so injured, and he was bleeding everywhere," Norman continued carefully, eyeing Ash. "He was very lucky…… He almost died."

"So you're the one who saved Dad," May said quietly. Why hadn't she noticed it sooner? They way he was hurt like that… She had assumed it was all from Team Rocket…

Ash looked at her. "Look, I didn't save him. Team Rocket would have noticed me anyway, and they would have thrown those last two grenades at me anyway. Your father was in no danger." He frowned and rubbed his temples, trying to massage the ever present headache that decided to flare.

"Are you okay?" Misty asked worriedly.

I am sick of people asking that, Ash thought, still rubbing his temples. "Um… I'm just feeling lightheaded… Dizzy…" And before he could say anything else, the darkness took him again.

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Norman quickly jumped out of his chair and caught Ash as the teenager fell out of his chair, unconscious. The Gym Leader looked to the others. "He's okay, he just…just passed out. I think he must've needed more water…" He carried Ash into the living room and placed him on the couch, Caroline soon following with a cup of water for when Ash woke up.

The five kids came in as well.

"I can't believe…" Misty let her voice trail off. She was obviously upset with the whole ordeal. "This whole thing is a nightmare. A living, breathing nightmare."

"If you think it's a nightmare, I wonder what Cin—I mean, Ash thinks it is," Drew commented. "Since it's apparently more painful to him than you."

Misty shot him a look, but eventually turned her gaze back to Ash.

"Has this happened before, Dad?" May inquired.

"Oh, he's never fainted on us. But I know he's in a ton of pain. And when he gets upset, it just makes the whole thing that much more worse."

Caroline put her hands on her hips. "And he thought he was leaving today. He actually expected for me to let him go."

"When do you think he'll be well enough to leave?" Brock asked.

"I don't know," Caroline replied honestly. "He'll probably try to leave every day. But his injuries haven't had enough time to heal. You guys might have seen his injuries before, but now it's just…" Caroline shuddered. She really couldn't stand other people's blood. It creeped her out.

"It's just worse now," Norman finished.

Max sat down on a nearby chair and began to look sad. "I miss Pikachu, Dad. I miss the real Ash."

Norman sighed. "I'm going to be honest with you, Max. I can only think of one way to get Pikachu back. And that's if Pikachu regains his memory. The problem is, that's not the easiest thing to accomplish."

Max sighed. "Don't I know it. Ash has been trying for forever."

"So what are we going to do now?" Misty questioned. "Do we wait until Ash gets better, and then go back to Mossdeep?"

Brock shrugged. "I don't know. Every time we're all together, Ash just sets out on his own."

"He's always telling us he doesn't want us hurt," May added. "And that's why he never lets us come."

"I've already told him a million times. I can take care of myself," Misty stated. "But he never listens. I don't know why he's being so retarded."

"This whole situation must have placed one heck of a lot of pressure on him," Drew pointed out. "And even if he was thinking straight, he wouldn't want you to come. It's a personal matter."

"I know it's a personal matter, Drew, but don't you think that he would think he'd get Pikachu a lot faster if we were all there to help?"

"I seriously doubt he's thinking straight," Drew repeated. "I think when Pikachu Thunderbolted him, his brain got scrambled."

Misty shot him another look. "Honestly, Drew."

"He probably would have made the same decision if he was thinking straight," Brock said. "That's just the way he is." He gave Misty a knowing look. "You know Ash, Misty. I could name a ton of times that would prove that he's just acting more like himself now. It's like he's switched into 'serious Ash' mode for a while now."

"I thought it was called 'save-the-world-Ash'," Misty snorted. "Except this is not the same as before."

Brock nodded. "That's because it's more personal. I'm sure Ash is as angry as hell at Team Rocket, and he's willing to do anything to get Pikachu back."

Norman and Caroline sat back on the other couch, listening to the conversation, along with Max, on the chair, who didn't look like he wanted to get in the middle of the conversation.

"He can be so immature sometimes," May pointed out blandly. "I can't believe he can do a complete flip like this."

"Take it from someone who's known Ash since the day he began his journey. Back when he was ten. He's actually not too bad now," Misty said. "Sure, he has his moments now and then, but it's not as bad as before." She paused. "And the flip thing? I don't really get that either. It's like, one second he's acting all immature and stupid, and one second later, he's trying to save someone or something or some pokémon or the world or something like that." She shrugged. "It's kind of weird now that I think about it."

"Some people have split personalities," Drew said. "I mean, Ash doesn't have one really, but it's just the mode he's in. But sometimes people put up a front when they're around other people. They don't want to let anyone in to find out what's really in there."

Misty frowned. "I don't think he was pulling a front on us. I've traveled with him for a really long time, and people can't hold up fronts all the time."

"Hence the flip," Drew said smoothly.

Misty was silent. That made a lot of sense…

"He has to let it out someway, right? You may think his 'flip' is just his way of getting things done, and you might think it's weird because it's just not like him. But it's just the real him breaking through. Because you're right, Misty, no one can keep a front up forever. It can be really hard if you're around people who know you…" Drew shrugged. "I could be completely wrong, though. It's just a theory."

Brock rubbed his chin, wondering if Drew's theory was even remotely right. He honestly didn't believe that Ash had a 'front' when he was ten, but maybe when he had gotten older, and started to change… Brock knew for a fact that your personality went through some serious changes when you become a teenager. No one would believe it, but a long time ago, Brock had actually thought girls were 'yucky'.

Drew sat down himself, folding his arms across his chest, done making his point in the conversation, and was now stepping out of it.

May looked to Brock and Misty questioningly. "You two know him better than I do. What do you think?"

Misty shook her head. "I don't know what to think anymore. This whole thing is crazy."

Brock nodded in agreement. "And I get the feeling that Ash won't want to talk about it."

"He's got a talent for hiding what's really going on," Misty agreed.

"Well," Caroline spoke up, breaking the conversation. "If you are all staying here for a while, you might as well know where you're going to sleep. Misty, I was thinking that you could sleep in May's room with her. And the boys can go in Max's room."

Misty nodded. "That'd be great. But are you okay with us staying here? I mean, there are a lot of us, and I wouldn't want to overwhelm you…"

Caroline smiled. "It's okay. It's been a little too quiet around here anyway."

May gestured to the others. "Come on, let's show you where you're gonna bunk." And she led the four others upstairs.

Norman looked to his wife uncertainty. "Are you sure you want all these kids here? There's six of them. Well, I guess it's more like five, because Brock's not really a kid. And May, Misty, Drew, and Ash are all teenagers, so…" His face turned into a weird one. "You'll have to handle four teenagers. I bet you thought that just one of them was hard work!"

"Oh, Norman, I doubt I'll find them kissing."

Norman made a sour face. "You had better not. Especially not May."

Caroline smiled. "Speaking of May… I really think she likes—"

"What! What kind of like? You better not find those kids kissing… Argh… Teenagers…" Norman looked horrified.

"Drew, the new kid. I think she likes him. And I think he likes her back."

"You're insane, Caroline. I bet now you're going to say Misty and Ash like each other too?"

"That's not a bad idea…"

"Caroline!" Norman exclaimed in exasperation. "I really hope you won't even try to play matchmaker when I'm at work. It's bad enough having four of those critters in the house. It'll be crazy, I can just tell."

"They have good manners. I'm sure everything will be okay."

"Yeah…that's what you said when we had to tell your mom and dad we were getting married all those years ago. And look what happened with that!"

"It all turned out nicely," Caroline said. "And that's all that matters."

"Yeah, but I'm still not going to forget about what your father said about my hair." As he said this, Norman ran a hand through his hair. "I thought I looked pretty hot with that hair."

Caroline laughed.

"What?" Norman asked, acting insulted. "You didn't like my hair either!"

"Of course I loved your hair, Norman," Caroline said with another laugh.

Norman laughed too for a few minutes before saying, "Yeah, but that's not the point. Tell me, when did we start dating?"

"When we were teenagers."

Norman froze for a second. "Yeah…but……… The point is, you can't push any of those kids together, because then they'll be…… They'll go crazy! Promise me you won't do that!"

"Fine, I promise."

Norman exhaled in relief. "Okay. Thanks." He then left the room, planning on checking on the kids.

Caroline sighed happily and let her eyes lay on Ash. The boy seemed to be coming to, so she went over the couch and sat on the end.

Ash blinked his eyes a few times to see Caroline. "What—what happened? I don't remember falling unconscious…"

"You passed out, dear. Here, drink this." She helped him sit up and handed him the glass of water.

Ash drank about half the water when he stopped. "Um… Why are you looking so happy?"

Caroline smiled. "Just reminiscing with Norman."

Ash was silent for a long while. "You're really happy being married to Norman, aren't you? Really happy that you and him and May and Max could be a nice family?"

"Of course. It's great."

"I thought as much. I remember last time I saw you guys, on your anniversary." Ash looked away. "You guys looked so happy." And I was so…confused.

Caroline nodded slowly. "Yes, we were, and we still are."

"And…what would happen……if Norman just wasn't there anymore? And it was just you, May and Max. Would…would you still be happy?"

Caroline frowned. "Well, since I love Norman so much, I'd probably be devastated… And the kids would probably feel the same way." She looked at Ash's distant look. "Why do you ask?"

"Um… I just wanted to know……" Ash let his sentence trail off. What he wanted to know was how his mother felt without his father there. He just kept seeing how happy Norman and Caroline were, and he wondered if his mother was ever that happy. "It was just a dumb question. Forget I said anything." He looked around. "Where did everyone else go?"

"Well, since your friends are staying here for awhile, they're checking out where they're going to sleep," Caroline answered, but was still confused at Ash's last questions. "You're feeling better?"

Ash sighed and closed his eyes for a second. "I swear I was pretty fine until I passed out. It's just… Everything that was happening at the time, and I just… My head just…"

"It's okay. It's just when you get upset, you just make everything worse."

Ash smiled bitterly. "Yeah, I noticed that. It's really strange. But I guess that's one of the reasons you won't let me leave until I'm better now. You know that I'm probably going to get upset when I run into Team Rocket again."

Caroline frowned. "About that, Ash… I'm really sorry about what happened to Pikachu. This must be really hard."

"Well, at least you finally know my 'long story', and the others know my 'Petalburg Disaster' story. So now you guys all know the life of Ash Ketchum from the time that Pikachu slipped through my fingers to now." Ash's eyebrows creased. "It's like exchanging stories over a campfire."

"Ash, don't think of it that way."

"But that's exactly what it was! Just think about it, will you? Each group has a story to tell. One group tells a story, and then the other group gives them one in exchange. Everyone's entertained." Ash folded his arms across his chest.

Caroline was silent. When Ash put it like that, it seemed that 'exchanging stories over a campfire' was exactly what they were doing. "I'm sorry you had to go through that then."

Ash made an offhand motion. "It's over. It doesn't matter."

"We should have at least thought about what we were doing before we did it," Caroline said.

"Maybe." Ash shook his head. "Don't worry about it though. I know it was just something that got messed up. Believe me, this past few weeks, all I've been doing is screwing up." He held up a hand when Caroline looked like she was going to say something to 'try' and convince him that he was wrong. He then shook his head sadly. "I'm sorry you have to deal with me. I don't want to cause you any trouble."

"Ash, we're 'dealing' with you because we want to. We want to help you out! We care about you."

Ash almost rolled his eyes. Why was it so hard for him to believe that?

Caroline must have seen a little skepticism in his expression, because she said, "Believe me, we all care. If we didn't, would we have been so worried about you? Your friends are worried to tears. They don't understand what's happening with you. They don't understand why you keep going off without them. They don't understand why they can't help."

"I don't want them to get hurt," Ash protested. "Take it from someone who knows, Team Rocket isn't afraid to hurt me or the others anymore. They won't stop. They won't show mercy." Ash paused, looking straight at Caroline. "I don't want them to get hurt," he repeated, meaning each and every word.

"Did you tell them that?" Caroline inquired.

"Of course I told them that. They just don't care about that."

"Because they care about you. They don't care about getting hurt in the process; they just care about helping you get Pikachu back."

"I'm still not going to let them come. It's out of the question. If Team Rocket even touches them, I swear I will…" Ash intentionally left his sentence hanging, believing that he got his point across.

"I see…… But how do you plan to resolve your problem? Do you have some sort of plan?"

"I don't need a dumb plan to get my pokémon back. You can't just plan that kind of thing. I'm just going to hunt Team Rocket down, make Pikachu remember, and then he'll come back with me. Simple as that.

The only problem is the 'making-Pikachu-remember' part…" Ash sighed. "I should just face it. At the rate I'm going, it's probable that Pikachu lost his memory for good." He smiled bitterly. "Wonderful situation, isn't it?"

"Ash, you can't start being pessimistic now," Caroline advised, frowning.

"Why not? I can't help it, since I just keep failing over and over and over again. It's just what happens."

Before Caroline could respond to that, she heard Max's voice from a few feet away.

"Hey, Ash, you're up!" Max came into the room, the other four kids behind him, along with Norman. He bounced on the couch next to Ash. "How are yah feeling?"

"Fine," Ash said between clenched teeth. "And how are you?"

Max gave him a strange look. "I'm good……" He patted himself on the chest. "You gave me a heart attack when I saw yah faint like that." He smiled.

Ash looked away, his injuries seeming to pulse with pain in sync with his heart beat. "Well, don't beat your heart out. I'm completely okay." He rolled his eyes. "And I somehow think that you're too young to have a heart attack anyway."

"You know what he means," Misty said. "And I think I speak for everyone when I say that we all felt the same."

Brock and May nodded in agreement.

Ash folded his arms across his chest, wondering what the group was planning on doing next. He needed to get better so he could continue, and he knew the others would probably just follow him until he could find the time to get away.

I wonder how it's all going to work out, Ash thought to himself. I wonder where Team Rocket is now…

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Okay... that's all for now. This is the longest chapter I posted, because i didn't want to be so evil to break it in two and leave you hanging...that would have been very...mean...

And YAY, for fall premieres coming soon! -prays for dark storylines...-