Pokémon Type: Grass
Shipping: AlohaShipping

One-Shot 9: MarshMallow

The tropical weather that's the Alola Region shined brightly, especially on Melemele Island. However, the scene at Professor Kukui's house was anything but picturesque. Pikachu draped a damp towel on Ash's head as the professor, Rockruff and Ash's Rowlet looked on in concern. Knowing Pikachu's work to keep Ash comfortable on the couch, one conclusion entered his mind. "A bit ill, Ash?" he assumed.

"I just don't feel so good..." a weakened Ash muttered.

"I don't need to feel your forehead with Pikachu having a towel on it to tell that you have a fever." Rockruff barked, its concern understandable. "You don't want to catch what Ash has, Rockruff." The Puppy Pokémon whimpered, fearful to sharing the illness. The professor's cellphone rang and he answered. "Professor Kukui..." A pause. "Yeah, Ash won't be attending today. Illness..." Another pause. "Just thought I'd let you know, Samson." He hung up. Rotom, Ash's living Pokédex in Alola, flew to Kukui to know who called.

"Was that Principal Oak?" it asked.

"Yeah, ironic since I was about to call him about Ash's fever." Rotom flew to Ash and observed his condition.

"I'm not too familiar with humans but if this is a fever, I'd say it's a safe call."

"You think, Rotom?" moaned Ash.

"I'm not programmed to think, Ash. Just observe and collect data to share." Ash smacked his hand onto his forehead, splashing drops near Rotom. "Take it easy. I don't wanna get wet." Ash simply slumped down on the couch. Afterwards, Ash's classmates and Pokémon entered the professor's house to see Ash. Seeing Ash's flushed face, they realized the trainer visiting from Pallet Town wasn't in good condition.

"Ash?" called Lillie. Ash opened his eyes, his body barely responding to any urge to move.

"Hey, guys..." he greeted. "Sorry about today's classes..." The girls knew this wasn't anything he could control.

"Hey, it happens," Mallow eased. "No need to feel bad about it." Sophocles placed Togedemaru down and removed the cloth to feel Ash's warm forehead.

"Troubling..." he studied. "His pale face is a concern, and his core temperature is estimated at 104º. His lethargic speech and motor skills pose problems. With this much consideration..."

"He's sick, Sophocles," snapped Kiwae. "That's all you need to know."

"Then allow me to say so!" Ash clutched his head from the yelling.

"Would you two simmer?" shouted Mallow. "He's already in bad shape." The boys calmed down and apologized.

"Sorry about that," Kiawe mulled.

"Our bad..." Sophocles sighed. Lana and Lillie helped Ash back to the sofa pillow.

"Just relax yourself, okay?" requested Lillie.

"Yeah..." Ash groaned. "Could you guys look after my Pokémon?"

"Of course," Lana agreed. "We'd probably would ask for the same thing in your place."

"Thanks." Togedemaru embraced Pikachu softly, both worried about Ash. Although Professor Kukui's house only had Ash inside, Mallow pondered to a way to help her new friend's ailment.

'His fever is like the time I got sick,' she minded. 'I remember what Mom gave me. I just hope Rowlet can follow human instructions after its stint with the Pikipek and that Toucannon.' Bounsweet picked up on Mallow's thoughts. She heard her Pokémon's wail. "Sorry, Bounsweet. Lost in my thoughts. Anyway, I have an idea on how to break Ash's fever." Rotom heard Mallow's ploy, flying over to interfere.

"The best solution is to let Ash rest and drink plenty of fluids," it advised. Mallow didn't want to follow instructions.

"Turn yourself off, Rotom. You need to know how some people think."

"But I told Ash that I'm not programmed to think!" Mallow entered the kitchen and scavenged through.

"Let's see… White herb, check… Tiny mushrooms, check…" She heard the refrigerator open. She found Rowlet grabbing a can of lemonade. "Hey, run that to Ash and come back, ASAP." Rowlet listened and flew the lemonade to Ash. He woke from the flapping of Rowlet's wings.

"Thanks, Rowlet," Ash praised before opening the can. A sip winced Ash. "So cold..." Rowlet flew back to Mallow that had a list written down.

"I have everything except for a Rawst Berry." Rowlet irked its head in confusion. Turning to Rotom, Mallow wondered if Rotom had an image it could show. "Rotom, you have a Rawst Berry in that database?"

"Let me search it," Rotom hoped. It closed its eyes and bars zoomed through its screen. "Found it!" A blue strawberry appeared on Rotom's screen. Rowlet gawked to the picture and squawked in a frenzy. "Rowlet says that he remembered a few Rawst Berries the flock of Pikipek and Trumbeak in the nests when he joined Ash." Mallow pounded her open hand, a cure to Ash's illness nearing.

"Rowlet, go to that nest and see if you can have a Rawst Berry." Rowlet nodded before flying out the window. "Rowlet cares for Ash so I believe it'll find that Rawst Berry to use." Looking at the pile of items, she wanted to go over the checklist again. "Okay, aside from the Rawst Berry, I got a couple of tiny mushrooms, some white herb, fresh water, miracle seeds… I seem to be missing something but what is it?" Mallow began to work on the items, the solution unknown. Meanwhile, Rowlet flew down to Pikachu who was playing with the other Pokémon.

("Rowlet, is Ash okay?") he asked.

("Friend is,") Rowlet beaked. ("Friend wants a Rawst Berry for friend. I need some help.") To Pikachu, he wondered why someone wanted the Grass Quill Pokémon to find a certain berry.

("I guess I can pitch in.") Togedemaru squeaked in concern for her new friend.

("Will you be back?") she asked.

("I can't abandon my partner for a long time.") Togedemaru bobbed her body before Pikachu jumped on Rowlet to find the Pikipek flock. 15 minutes passed when the two Pokémon found the flock which Rowlet originated from.

("Despite you traveling with a human, you dare return?") questioned Trumbeak. Pikachu hopped down to discuss with Trumbeak and Tucannon.

("We came for a Rawst Berry for my friend.") That's when a Pikipek came flying to the nest. Coincidentally, it carried a few Rawst Berries in its beak. It landed in a nest, much to Rowlet's and Pikachu's shock.

("Got an extra Rawst Berry if any Pokémon wants it!") the Woodpecker Pokémon announced. Pikachu and Rowlet reached the Pikipek, grateful for its luck.

("Thank you very much! We need it for my partner!") Pikipek snickered to the praise.

("Happy to help!") Pikachu snagged the Rawst Berry but that's when he noticed Rowlet missing. Trumbeak found the wayward Rowlet to a cubbyhole full of sweet honey. It fired Leafage and scooped each leaf with some honey before packaging it up and flying back to Pikachu.

("Next time, tell me.") Rowlet shrugged to the scorn, oblivious to Pikachu's warning. Regardless, Pikachu boarded and Rowlet carried the items as far as possible, over Bewear carrying Team Rocket away.

"Let go of me, Pinky!" she scolded. Ignoring the villains in trouble, Rowlet and Pikachu returned to Kukui's home where Mallow seemed to struggle with her concoction.

"I know I need the Rawst Berry but what else?" she tried to remember. That's when the Pokémon announced their presence.

("Mallow!") squeaked Pikachu. Mallow turned to the noise where Rowlet and Pikachu brought the berry she needed.

"Rowlet! Pikachu! You got it!" As Rowlet landed, he dropped the dime pouches of the sweet honey. Hearing the drop, Mallow picked one up and sniffed it. Her mind dove into enjoyment. "This is it! The Sweet Honey! I knew I was forgetting something! Rowlet, you're a lifesaver!" Rowlet playfully winged away the compliment, not a big deal to it. Mallow mixed the ingredients for her remedy.

("I'll be getting back out there with the rest,") Pikachu excused himself. Bounsweet and Rowlet allowed the Electric Mouse Pokémon to go. With the ingredients on hand, Mallow finished her concoction.

"It worked on me. I know it will work on Ash." She came to the living room where Ash had been partially awake. The fever drained his normally limitless energy. "Ta da!" Ash turned to Mallow with a cup of what seemed like a bluish sludge smoothie.

"Mallow?" he weakly noticed. "Why aren't you and Bounsweet out with Pikachu?"

"Come on, Ash! I'm not letting your illness off! I recalled my parents giving me this when I had a fever like you do… which is why I made this!" Ash looked inside, finding the smoothie-like drink.

"I hope it's edible? What did you throw in?" Mallow began to get a little impatient.

"Don't be a scared Litten." Ash shrugged his shoulders but Mallow wasn't leaving until he drank it. At first sip, his eyes bulged. Reading his facial reaction, Mallow stole the cup as Ash hacked to the drink.

"So bitter!"

"Like heck I'd give you something too sweet, otherwise the medicine wouldn't work." Ash had to stomach this concoction, literally. He was forced to swallow his pride and the drink, nearly choking at times. Finished, Ash juggled the cup which Mallow caught.

"Oh, man… Awful..."

"All gone. Now you can relax." Ash took some deep breaths to the bitterness of the drink.

"I hope to not taste anything that bitter again..." Mallow giggled, hoping she would not make another one for as long as Ash stayed with her.

"I'm gonna check on everyone and be back in an hour." She left the room as Rowlet flew into the room and looked on. As night began to fall, Professor Kukui, Mallow, Lillie and the Pokémon returned to check Ash's progress. A feel to the forehead prompted good news.

"Fever's breaking!" studied Kukui. "And colors' showing again. I'd say whatever Mallow gave you worked like a charm."

"That's great, professor," Ash sighed in relief.

"And you're sounding better. That's one crisis we could do without." Lillie knelt to Ash, happy to know he'd be okay.

"Is there anything you need?" she asked.

"Other than rest, not really," Ash shook off. "What we need to do is get you to get along with Pokémon." Lillie jumped to the thought.

"It's one thing if it's Kiawe's Tortinator but Ash's Pikachu is adorable to hug," Mallow pointed out. "

"I can handle a Pokémon!" she denied. "It's my obligation not to at the moment!" The others laughed a little to Lillie's refusal. Mallow saw Ash's face smiling and Pikachu back with his partner.

"Lillie, could you tell my mom that I'm staying at Professor Kukui's house for the night?"

"Not a problem!" Lillie got to the phone as Rockruff pawed Kukui.

"I suppose you need supper," he read his Pokémon. After needs were met, night fell. Everyone but Mallow slept. She looked over Ash sleeping better than before, the illness about faded away. She felt his head once more, temperature normal.

'Ash, I'd rather have you in my family,' she minded as she unbuttoned herself. 'A ball of energy when healthy, a great respect for Pokémon… I practically fell for you from the moment you arrived at the school.' Her denim overalls fell to the ground near Ash's bed. She wore a strapless pink swimsuit as she slipped under the blanket and rubbed her arms against Ash, waking him up.

"Mallow?!" he gulped. Mallow giggled to the reaction.

"I can't sleep wearing anything denim." Ash wasn't worried about what she wore or removed.

"Okay, but what are you doing in my-" Instead of letting him talk, Mallow kissed him on the lips, stopping his talk. Ash felt the lips meeting, succumbing to her sweet scenting love.

"I've wanted to do this after our surprises. Goodnight… honey." A leg and her arms wrapping around Ash, Mallow fell asleep, her body cuddling on his. Her warmth eased Ash to sleep, a smile painting his face. The morning sun climbed to indicate the morning. Pikachu, Rowlet and Bounsweet gawked to see Ash and Mallow in the same blankets. Kukui climbed the ladder and Rotom floated to find the Pokémon before Ash and Mallow in the bed together.

"Well, this is interesting..." he stuttered in thought.

"Is this something humans do?" the Electric/Ghost-Type Pokémon asked.

"I'm afraid it's something you won't find in the Pokédex, Rotom." Now Kukui had a dilemma, not because he had to wake Ash and Mallow for school… but how to tell the rest of the two in a s'more of a relationship.

END of GRASS
Next Type: BUG