Chapter 3: Bonding
An:/ In case you for whatever reason never read the bolded part at the ends of my chapters this is a chapter featuring some bonding between Heather and Ash. It was not originally in my first Beating Hearts, Probing Desires. So it is totally new and information-filled. Well... maybe on that. It involves a Zubat, lots of adventure, Ash and Heather bonding, and yeah that's about it. No more spoiling your reading. On with the chapter~
Also guys. The reasons I have horrible grammar during this part of the story is not because my grammar sucks. It's because I'm trying to make it fit the little kids in the story. Okay?
Yawning Heather stretches her arms above her head the smell of bacon wafting in her sharper than the senses nose. Sleepily she walks to her closet and stares into it at the clothes hanging on the shelves.
"Blue and black. Blue and white. Black and gold. Black and white. Purple and black. Purple and white. Ugh." She mumbles as she hastily grabs a black shirt with gold stripes up the sides, a black and gold headband with silver Pokéballs and in the middle three bands of gold, silver and black shorts with gold stripes up the left side and silver up the right, and a pair of black and gold runners with silver around the sides.
She slips on a pair of black socks before dressing. Climbing up the step-stool she stares at her reflection flashing it a thumbs up. With a twist of the door she reluctantly steps out walking towards the kitchen.
Sniffing she catches wind of bacon and scrambled eggs frying in the frying pan. Grinning nonchalantly she walks into the kitchen before turning right into the kitchen.
"Morning mom." She says as she plops into a seat between Lance and Ash.
"Morning Heather." Maria smiles.
Delia walks into the kitchen and sits across from Ash at the table. Wilt sits next to Lance and Rose sits on the other side of her mother who, after serving dishes for everyone, plops down on the other side of Wilt.
Ash is wearing a black and white shirt with a red band in the middle, a pair of black shorts, and
black/red/white runners.
(Delia's wearing the same thing she always wears so we'll skip that and honestly do you want to know about the other characters. . . beh let's just give them details too. XD)
Rose is wearing her hair in pigtails. She's wearing a pink pleated dress with a white bow and white ribbons tying her hair into the pigtails. Pink strap shoes lace her feet.
Maria is wearing her red hair down on her shoulders and has blue jeans and a green/black shirt on. She has flip-flops on her feet.
Wilt is wearing a dark brown shirt and brown jean-like pants. He has brown sandals that loop at the toe over his feet. A golden wristwatch adorns his arm.
Lance is wearing a red shirt and black shorts that cut off at his knees. Red and black runners cover his feet.
The family sets about the task of eating their breakfast mingling lightly. After breakfast Heather decides to show Ash around.
"Okay." Heather grins as she grips Ash's hand and leads him down to the basement. "This is where my father does his work. He a scientist."
"Whoa." Ash says as he stares around at the lab equipment.
Eevee yawns and walks over to Heather, rubbing against her leg.
Heather laughs and begins petting her as Ash leans against Wilt's computer table accidentally leaning to far and clicking some buttons making some stuff disappear. Whirling around Ash gasps in shock as a picture of a Lugia hybrid appears and seconds later disappears.
"Uh-oh. I think I pushed something." Ash cries as he hides behind Heather and Eevee.
"What you do?" Heather cries. Eevee jumps down crawling back into her pet bed under Wilt's table.
[Wasn't me.] Eevee mumbles as she falls asleep.
"Dad gonna be mad." Heather gasps and starts to head to the door leading to the rest of the house.
Suddenly the door snaps open and Wilt appears, furrowing an eyebrow and squinting down at the children.
"What are you doing down here? Didn't I strictly forbid you to come down here without my consent. . . and dragging Ash into this. I'm ashamed of you, Heather." Wilt frowns.
"S-sorry daddy." Heather sighs bowing her head.
"Take Ash and go swimming or something. Just stay out of trouble." Wilt sighs and pushes the two out of his lab before pulling out his computer chair and sitting in it.
A few curse words that Ash and Heather shouldn't have heard, but caught, later Wilt sighs as he resurrects the files Ash made him lose.
Sighing Heather leads Ash into the kitchen boredly.
"Hey want to go exploring?" Heather asks as she pulls out a flashlight from a kitchen drawer and grabs a black backpack with red and orange flames.
"Ooh sound fun." Ash nods excited.
"Okay. You have to keep this a secret though." Heather grins putting her finger to her lips.
"Okay. Secret." Ash nods putting a finger to his lips.
Heather leads him outside and sits on the porch swing turning to him as he stares confused.
"Ash?" Heather asks, her eyes fixing on the black haired boy beside her.
"Yeah?" Ash asks.
"Do you understand what I am?" Heather asks.
"Not really." Ash admits chuckling sheepishly.
"Okay. You know there are around like... hundreds of Pokémon?" Heather says as she stares off into space.
"Yeah. I know." Ash nods.
"I can be any one of them at will." Heather says truthfully.
"Really? That cool." Ash grins.
"Watch me," Heather says with a small smile.
Her eyes roll into the back of her head slightly as she ponders what she'll be and then grins.
"I saw this in a book I have. It's a Pikachu." Heather smiles and then closes her eyes.
Heather's shape begins shrinking. She turns a light yellow and fur sprouts all over her body. Beady eyes -green as the grass- blink up at him. Red cheeks containing electricity give off tiny sparks. Paws stand where Heather's hands and feet once were. A tail protrudes from her rump in the shape of a zigzagged lightning bolt. Brown stripes are etched into the fur on her back.
Scratching her head with her foot Heather grins up at him as he stares in awe.
"Heather. That so cool." Ash grins.
[Thanks.] Heather laughs softly in his ears.
"Pi-kachu." Ash grins. "You look awesome."
[Thanks again.] Heather laughs as she transforms back into her human self.
"So ready to go exploring?" Heather grins and Ash nods.
Taking his hand in her own Heather picks up the flashlight and backpack she had sat next to Ash and heads into the woods to the cave her and Mary, who had been buried the year she died, explored.
"Where we going?" Ash asks confused.
"There." Heather says pointing a small finger to the cave in front of them.
"Whoa." Ash gapes at the huge mouth of the cave.
"No worries. It's safe," Heather says her voice sounding more hopeful than believing.
Ash gulps but nods as the year older girl leads him into the cave.
"Hold my hand tight and no let go," Heather says sternly.
"Okay." Ash nods.
As they enter the cave a hoard of Zubat fly at them beating their wings hard. Ash sinks to the ground crying out in fear, having instantly forgotten about what Heather commanded him to do, as a Zubat nearly cuts his arm with its sharp wings.
"Baby." Heather mumbles as she drops his hand and he slowly follows after her, trembling in fright.
"Wait." Ash cries. "Please."
"What now?" Heather glares crossing her arms over her chest impatiently.
"I'm sorry. I just. . . afraid. I never been this close to real life Pokémon." Ash lowers his head. "The Zubat look scary and they were attacking us."
"They weren't attacking us." Heather sighs as she walks to Ash as he slumps on the ground tears leaking from his eyes.
"No?" Ash asks shocked.
"They were just leaving. Pokémon would never intentionally hurt humans. They protect this place from them." Heather says as she wraps her arms around Ash as he continues to soundlessly cry.
"Y-you're sure?" Ash asks.
"Positive." Heather smiles and takes his hand. "I-I will protect you Ash. Promise."
Blushing Ash nods his head and slowly squeezes her hand to tell her to continue. She smiles and continues to bounce her flashlight's beam through the cave. Heather quickly jerks her flashlight as the beam falls on an all too familiar spot.
'The blood's still here. Dried I'm sure.' Heather sighs as she proceeds.
Her beam scans the end of the cave and the two children gasp at the sight. There lying in a crumpled mass is a Zubat, a scar over where its right eye would be if Zubat had eyes.
The Zubat opens its mouth and produces a high pitched wail as Ash and Heather move towards it. Covering their ears Heather groans sinking to the floor, the effect much stronger on her than Ash due to the Pokémon in her.
"Z-Zubat." Heather cries. "P-please. We wanna help."
Reaching out a semi timid hand Heather offers it to the injured Pokémon, handing Ash her flashlight. Ash shines it on the small Pokémon as Heather crawls to it.
"This is Lance, my big brother's backpack," Heather says as Ash watchers her astounded.
Unzipping the backpack she pulls out the contents: a small canteen that still has water in it, a small medical kit with gauze, and smoke bombs. Stuffing the latter back into the bag she sheepishly pushes it against the wall.
"Big brother say never touch those. They dangerous." Heather rubs the back of her head as Ash nods, his eyes fixed on her.
"For now we wash the wound and wrap it," Heather says as the Zubat flinches back slightly from her hands.
"Zu bat bat." The Pokémon cries. [Stop. Don't touch me.]
"We no hurt you. Promise." Heather says as her hand gently runs over the small creature's back.
"Bat zu zu bat bat." [You can understand me can't you. My wing. It's broken. I can't move.]
"Broken. Okay." Heather nods and pours some water from the canteen on Zubat's wound. Cringing it tries to squirm away, but Heather holds it closer.
Taking out some gauze, Heather wraps the wing and the wounds. The Pokémon's ears twitch acting as eyes for it.
"It okay. I help." Heather smiles at it.
Zubat relaxes as Heather finishes wrapping its bleeding wound and picks it up.
"Lead the way Ash." Heather says smiling.
Ash shudders, slightly afraid of the creature in Heather's arms, but calmly flicks the flashlight along the trail they took, never once noticing the blood on the rocks on the right side of him.
"I hope daddy can help." Heather sighs as she cradles the Zubat in her arms.
"Probably." Ash gives her a slightly uneasy smile and nods.
As the two exit the cave Ash begins crying as the Zubat from before come flying in, their wings beating the air harshly. He curls up into a ball screaming.
Heather grabs his hand a yanks him to his feet running home. Zubat's ears twitching as she stops to catch her breath.
"Ash you can't do that. You can't just scream at the Pokémon." Heather grumbles as she turns off the flashlight and stomps towards the house.
Sniffling, Ash rubs at his eyes as he follows her inside.
"Heather. Ash. We've been looking all over for you." Wilt frowns, arms crossed over his waist as he thumps his foot up and down in impatience.
"Sorry dad. We went exploring," Heather says sheepishly as she rubs the back of her head with one hand and hugs Zubat close with the other.
"Where did you go exploring?" Wilt pries.
"C-Cave. With Zubat." Ash wails and sinks to the floor hugging his arms over his body as he sobs.
"What?" Wilt explodes glaring down angrily at Heather. "What on earth were you doing down there? Are you trying to get Ash into as much trouble as you?"
"N-no sir." Heather says as she shoots a threatening glare to Ash who tucks his head under his arms slightly intimidated.
"Well at least they're alright." Delia smiles as she scoops up her son who gives Heather an apologetic smile.
Heather turns her back to him as her father grabs her by the shoulders and turns her around to face him.
"Heather, what were you thinking. Seriously?" He sighs and runs a hand through his hair before staring down into Heather's arms as Zubat squeaks out in defense.
"Bat bat zu zu zu." [It's not her fault. She was just curious. Poor thing.]
"What happened to you?" Wilt asks as he picks up the small Pokémon and turns towards Heather as it begins squeaking.
"Bat zu Zubat zu zu. Bat zu." [I was one of the weakest Zubat in the cave. I wandered to the back sensing a dark presence and was shocked to find a man. A pitch black Charizard was at his side. He left after his Pokémon caught sight of me and tore into my wing and stomach.]
Heather nods and translates to her father who looks astounded. Heather puts her hand on the Pokémon's head and closes her eyes. Suddenly it's clear to everyone in the house what Zubat is saying.
[Hey I didn't mean to cause any trouble. If it wasn't for your daughter I'd probably be dead. Lucky for her the man high-tailed it out of there before your children arrived.]
"Heather." Wilt gasps in shock as Heather slumps down, a sheepish smile on her face.
"Not know I could do that. Thanks Zubat. Save me the effort of talking. Takes some strength though." Heather smiles at the bat who smiles back.
"That is simply amazing." Wilt gasps as he hands Heather Zubat and pulls out a notepad jotting down everything that Heather can do as a Pokémorph into it.
"I can also do this." Heather says as she removes the bandage from Zubat's stomach and places her hands around the wound.
In a small glow of a silvery light the wound begins stitching itself shut. Heather closes her eyes as she focuses on the wound. She gets about halfway through healing him when she falls over her eyes closing in exhaustion.
"Interesting." Wilt exclaims as he writes that down too.
Lance picks up Heather as Wilt pockets the notepad back into his shirt pocket and picks up the Zubat turning towards the lab.
"Guess we'll have to heal it the rest of the way huh?" Wilt smiles as Ash and Heather follow him to the lab.
Lance glances down at Heather and questions her.
"Where did you get that gauze anyway? I mean it's not like you knew you'd need it." Lance asks coyly.
"Um. . ." Heather pulls off his backpack handing it to him as he somewhat frowns but his gaze softens as he carries his younger sister downstairs into the lab.
"I've never studied a Zubat so close," Wilt says as he takes out some antiseptic and fresh bandages.
He swabs the wound on Zubat's stomach making it screech in pain. Heather tugs on Lance's sleeve and points to Wilt and Lance carries her near him.
Placing her hand on Zubat's head Heather sends him a loose thought. [It's okay Zubat. He won't hurt you.]
Zubat nods as Heather passes out from exhaustion. Wilt takes her from Lance's arms and lays her on the cot as Ash stares at Zubat.
"Will it be okay?" Ash asks.
"Yep. Just got to bandage it's broken wing slightly tightly so it doesn't struggle to fly. Then we'll see how things go." Wilt says as he wraps a bandage around the broken wing and lays the Zubat next to Heather, who in her sleep instantly latches her arms around it, sensing its presence.
A few hours later Heather wakes up rubbing her eyes. Cuddling Zubat in one arm she props herself up and is surprised to see Ash sitting a little ways away from her dozing off slightly.
"Ash?" Heather asks as she walks to him.
"Oh hey." Ash nods rubbing the back of his head sheepishly.
"What you doing here?" Heather asks, realizing they're in the lab.
"Oh. Your daddy say I could come in. We help Zubat." He grins and points to the small bat in Heather's arms who stirs awake at the sound of his name.
"Good morning Heather." Wilt laughs as he enters the room carrying a box in his arms.
"Hey daddy. What that?" Heather asks as Wilt sets down the box.
"A bunch of Pokémon items." He responds as he digs through the box and grins triumphantly as he finds what he was looking for.
Holding out his hand, Wilt shows the children a tiny silver bell on a ruby red string.
"Whoa. What that?" Heather asks as Zubat nuzzles its head against her falling back asleep.
"It's a Soothe Bell," Wilt explains. "It's used to help with the bonding of a Pokémon and a human."
"Why we need that?" Heather asks curiously. "Zubat and me are friends already."
"I know that but it'll help to strengthen the bond. Though you'll have to release Zubat Heather. Once he's well it's off to the wild for him." Wilt sighs as tears well up in Heather's eyes.
"No. He my friend." Heather sobs as she clutches Zubat tightly to her small body.
"Sometimes friends have to go away Heather, but you'll see them again some day." Wilt gives her a sympathetic smile as she shakes her head and runs out of the lab.
"Zubat," Heather says sadly as he wakes up, sensing her pain.
[What's wrong Heather?] Zubat asks, fully aware of his new friend's name.
"Daddy says you have to leave sometime." Heather sobs. "I no want you to go."
Zubat gives her a sad smile. [Well. . . we can make a promise. To meet again someday.]
"No. Promises no last forever." Heather cries as she shoots a dirty glare to Ash as he walks in the room.
Zubat shrugs as he shakes his wing, thumping it lightly against the carpet in Heather's room. Testily, he rises to his wings and flaps them, a small smile playing on his lips.
[I can fly again.] Zubat says as he lands on Heather's head, his small feet dangling over her shoulders.
"Now you gonna leave." Heather sighs as she moves to sit on her bed.
Ash quietly walks to sit beside her. His hands clutching the small Soothe Bell.
"Here. Tie around Zubat's neck. You can find him in the flock with it," Ash says giving Heather a small smile placing the bell in her hands.
[You can come and visit me Heather. I'll always be in the cave where you found me.] Zubat says as he hugs her neck with his wings.
Sighing Heather nods and reaches up to her head pulling Zubat away from it. She unfastens the ribbon of the Soothe Bell and then proceeds to tie it awkwardly around his neck, not quite grasping the concept of tying as she never had shoes with laces.
Walking down the hallway, Lance peeks into Heather's room and gives a small laugh at Heather's fail. He walks into the room and ties the Soothe Bell's ribbon into a bow. Winking, he hands the small bat back to his sister and leaves to play on his Gameboy in his room.
Knocking on the door Wilt comes in and gives Heather a sympathetic smile, Zubat flapping his wings and circling the room laughing a tiny laugh as his bell jingles.
"It's time to release him into the wild where he belongs. You're not a trainer so you're not allowed to keep him." Wilt explains as Heather bows her head, Zubat landing on her shoulder as she sluggishly walks outside.
[Heather?] Zubat asks.
The small girl says nothing in response, only gently tosses Zubat into the air. She finally looks up at him, tears streaming down her cheeks.
"G-goodbye." Heather waves.
[Bye. Visit sometime. You know where to find me.] Zubat says sadly.
If you looked closely you could see tears pooling up where Zubat's eyes would be if they had them.
A sudden breeze picks up and Zubat's off in the air, waving a wing at Heather as she drops to the ground. He begins flapping his wings hard taking off to the cave he calls home.
Ash walks out of the house and stands beside Heather as she breaks down into a crying fit. Curling up into the fetal position, Heather rocks back and forth missing the small Pokémon she had tent to. Unconsciously, Ash drops to Heather's level and pulls her into his arms. A tiny blush creeping over his cheeks as she turns around and cries into his chest. Rubbing her back, Ash stares off in the distance where Zubat disappeared once before.
Ash continues rubbing her back until the sobbing ends altogether. Pulling away slightly Ash looks down to see the older girl had fallen asleep from crying. Surprising himself at how light she is, Ash carries Heather into the house to her room where he pulls the blankets over her as she sleeps, silently watching her with a small red blush covering his face.
A few hours later
Stretching her arms above her head, Heather yawns and sleepily rubs her eyes. In an attempt to sit up she is pushed back down. Staring at the lump laying on her chest she sighs.
'He must have been worried about me and fallen asleep in the process.' Heather laughs quietly as she pulls herself away from the small boy.
Groaning as his head hits the mattress, Ash awakens to find Heather staring at him in curiosity.
"I—uh." Ash sheepishly rubs his head as he stares at her awkwardly.
"It okay." Heather laughs.
"What do you want to be when you grow up?" Ash asks changing the subject.
"Hm... I want to be a Pokémon trainer and win lots of gyms. Most importantly though I want to one day beat my big brother in a battle. He a member of the Elite Four. He strong trainer." Heather shrugs.
"Wow." Ash says as he talks of how he wants to be a Pokémon Master and rarely lose.
"Hey want to go train?" Heather asks as Ash gives her a confused look. "Like wanna help me practice be a better um... this?" Heather asks as she turns into a Pikachu again.
"Oh. Yes." Ash nods grinning.
Heather walks over to her closet and digs around in a couple of crates. She pulls out a large book with a heavy binding. The title clearly says it all in black ink: Pokémon. Swiftly, without a word, she hands the book to Ash who struggles to carry it.
"Heavy." Ash announces as he tries to lift the book.
"Hm..." Heather nods and sets it on the bed, lifting it out of Ash's hands wordlessly.
She runs down the hall and grabs a random leash off a hook in the kitchen. Tying it tightly around the book, she begins pulling it outside. Ash laughs and follows.
"Okay," Heather says flipping open the cover to the title page and flipping past that to a picture of a Bulbasaur. "There are Pokémon in this book that we can work with." She says crossing her legs over each other in a "pretzel" or "Indian style".
"Got it." Ash nods. He begins flipping through the book and eventually settles on a random picture of a Sandshrew.
"Cute." Heather grins and begins concentrating.
Her body changes shape into a somewhat plump tan shrew. Rigid brick like ridges cover her entire body except her stomach which has soft cream colored flesh. Tiny ears sprout on either side of her head and a rigid brick tail protrudes from her rump.
Kicking her feet Heather begins tearing up sand making Ash laugh.
Curling up in a ball Heather tries to practice a Rollout, losing control and almost trampling the ash haired boy.
"Watch out." Ash cries as he dives behind a tree.
[This is insane.] Heather laughs as she rolls around trying to sense where to go. . . and where she's going.
"Stop." Ash cries as she almost runs into the house.
[One small problem.] Heather cries from inside her shell.
"What that?" Ash asks.
[I no can stop.] Heather screams as she continues rolling, about to hit the house.
"Yipe." Ash cries as he runs in front of the house, arms outstretched wide as they can go.
Heather rolls into Ash, thankfully not trampling him as he wraps his arms tightly around her and the Rollout attack comes to a halt.
"Maybe we should try something else," Ash announces rubbing the back of his head.
[Good idea.] Heather nods and concentrates her body which shrinks even more into a blue shape without eyes. Wings sprout on either side of where her stubby arms used to be. Two tiny twig-like feet sprout from the bottom of her, her main feature being two large ears.
No sooner than she is airborne, Heather begins falling with an ear piercing shriek.
Ash jumps back startled at first but notices Heather's fragile body about to hit the earth at a hard pace and rushes to her, scraping his knee but successfully catching her in his arms in the process.
"You open your eyes now." Ash laughs.
Noticing that she's no longer falling, Heather twitches her ears sensing Ash with her sonic radar. Rubbing the back of her head with her wing she sheepishly blushes.
[Sorry. That was scary.] She says.
"It okay." Ash laughs as he says they should call off practicing her training.
Nodding Heather turns back and takes his hand, pulling him towards the house.
The next morning
Delia wakes Ash up early, pulling the covers off his tiny body.
Groaning, Ash blinks and rubs his eyes.
"Mama?" Ash asks.
"It's time to go back to Kanto Ash. You have to say goodbye to Heather." Delia gives him a sad smile as he lowers his head.
"Already?" Ash sighs.
"Yes," Delia replies calmly.
Head down Ash wanders to Heather's room. Knocking lightly he pulls open the door to find her flipped over on her bed, staring intently at him.
"We leaving." Ash sighs as he sits beside her on her bed.
"Already huh." Heather sighs.
"Yeah." Ash nods.
"Ash, promise me you try hard to reach your goal. I do the same." Heather asks stretching out her small hand.
"Okay." Ash gives a small smile and shakes her hand.
Now more cheerful Ash heads to the door.
"Goodbye. I wanna challenge you when we're older. A full battle. Promise?" Ash asks as he puts up his hand in a wave.
"That a promise." Heather smiles. "Goodbye Ash. Until we meet again."
With that Delia and Ash leave waving goodbye to the Flower family, Ash and Heather never to forget their promise to each other.
Me: Finally. It took me like. . . five days to come up with this chapter mostly due to laziness but I finally got it done. XD
Ash: Awww you made me leave.
Me: Yes but not a rushed leave like in the old story.
Ash: True. . .
Me: Review and the chapters will come faster. Also in case you were wondering when Ash and Heather were really little (the ages of them during this part of the story) they had a crush on each other. It lasted for three days cause Ash never seen her again until she was like... 15 or something (we'll find out when we get there) XD