A/N: This is a long chapter. Not much happens in it, it is just a continuation of last chapter, meaning it is a collection of Riley's memories. The memories may be a bit spontaneous and random, but they are necessary for the story. The memories move along quickly, for it is not part of my main story, but give important information. Please enjoy, and leave a review. :)
Things in Italics are part of the memories, and things in Regular text are current thoughts and actions.
"How about a one on one then?" The girl asked.
"Sounds good to me," Riley replied. The girl smiled, she had mahogany brown hair and deep brown eyes.
Ash could've have sworn he had seen her before.
Riley and the girl made their way over a small battle field in the quiet park, some younger child quit their game to watch the battle.
The girl grabbed a Pokeball, "Go Bloom!" She cried.
"Bulba!" A small Bulbasaur came out, ready to battle.
"Let's go Penny!" Riley said, letting out the Pikachu.
The girl smirked, "Looks like we have the advantage."
"Type advantage isn't everything. Ladies first," Riley said, letting her take the first move.
The girl narrowed her eyes, then smirked, "Soon you'll see that I'm no lady. Bloom, Vine Whip!"
"Dodge and use Quick Attack!" Penny leapt out of the way of both vines, then ran and struck the Bulbasaur, then retreated back towards Riley.
"Bloom! Are you okay?" The Bulbasaur nodded, "Good, then use Tackle!"
"Saur!" It said, charging towards Penny.
"Grass Knot," Riley said calmly.
"Pika!" Penny raised up both of her arms, her eyes glowing green, and two blades of grass popped out of the ground and formed a knot, tripping Bulbasaur. The Bulbasaur fell down and looked to her trainer for instructions.
"Double Team," Riley said before they could attack back.
Penny began to glow white, and soon multiple copies of her we're surrounding Bulbasaur.
"Hang in there, use Razor Leaf!" The girl called. Bulbasaur struggled to its feet, ready to attack.
"Dig."
Bulbasaur launched the Razor Leaves, but the Penny and the copies leapt into the ground. After a moment the ground erupted beneath Bulbasaur, and Penny rammed into her.
"Bloom!" The girl cried.
"Now, Volt Tackle!"
"Pika. Pika. Pika pika pika CHU!" Penny ran towards Bulbasaur, surrounding herself in electricity, and rammed into Bulbasaur, finishing it off.
"Bloom!" The girl ran over to her Bulbasaur, stroking it, "Great battle, get some rest," The girl said, returning the Bulbasaur, then she turned to face Riley, "Great battle, you're strong."
"So are you. I never got your name though, I'm Riley," Riley said, returning Penny to her Pokeball.
"Hi Riley, I'm Delia!" She smiled, "I need to take Bloom to the Pokemon Center, maybe we'll battle again! But next time, I'll beat you!" She giggled, then ran off.
'That... that was my mom?' Ash thought, 'But she only has a Mr. Mime!'
To Ash's surprise he heard Riley's voice in his head, 'Bloom was her first Pokemon, and it may have been her last.'
The next memory show Riley once more, but he looked a few years older.
"Here you go Penny," Riley said, handing the Pikachu on his shoulder an Oran Berry. They were sitting on a park bench in the early morning.
"Pika!" She said taking a bite. Then when Riley wasn't looking she squished the Berry onto Riley's face.
"Hey!" He cried, wiping berry off his face, glaring at Penny, his face still stained with blue juice.
"Pipipipipi ka ka!" Penny giggled. Then Riley stuffed his berry stained hand into Penny's face, "PI!" She exclaimed, her voice muffled by Riley's hand. Now it was Riley's turn to laugh.
Penny tried to wipe the smushed berries from her face, but she only made it worse. Once she managed to get it out of her eyes she hopped down from his shoulder, and turned to face Riley, who was still laughing.
"Chuuu!" She let out a Thunderbolt at her trainer.
"Aaugh!" He cried. Several people stopped, several even pulling out Pokeballs. As the Thunderbolt stopped Riley sat up, "I'll get you!" He leapt towards her, and she dodged out of the way with Quick Attack.
"Pipipi!"
When the people saw they were just playing they continued on their way.
Riley ran after Penny, who was doing her best to avoid her trainer, but soon found herself cornered.
"I got you now!" Riley said, smiling.
"Pik!" She said, digging into the ground.
"Dig? That's cheating!" Riley said, trying to use his aura to locate her. She popped out of the ground behind Riley, "There you are," He said, turning around, and he jogged towards her. But he realized his mistake as her eyes started to glow green.
The Grass Knot attack tripped Riley, making him fall onto his face. He felt the Grass Knot winding up his leg, pinning him to the ground. He glanced up and saw Penny standing by his head, with a grin on her face, cheeks sparking.
"What are-"
Penny let out a small electrical attack, so small that it probably couldn't even be call an attack. It didn't hurt at all, but instead it covered Riley's body with an unbearable tingling feeling, like a harsh tickle.
"Stop! Stop!" He shouted while he was laughing. He was twisting and turning, laughing from the sensation. He could retaliate or even run away, for the Grass Knot held him in place.
"Pika pika?" Penny asked with a grinned on her face.
"Yes! Of course it tickles!" He chortled, "Stop it!"
"Pika!" She said, doing it even more.
Suddenly Riley stopped moving. Penny stopped her attack, looking at her trainer.
"Chu-pi? Chu-pi!" She cried, had she overdone it? She took a step closer. Riley suddenly snapped to life, lunging forward and grabbing her.
"Pi!" She cried, surprised.
"I got you!" Riley said, firmly holding the squirming Pikachu, "How do you like this?" He said, tickling her back.
"Pipipi! Pipipi!" She giggled, squirming even more. Riley grabbed a handful of berries from his pocket and smashed it into her face. With her concentration broken the Grass Knot attack no more effect.
This continued back and forth for sometime, berries and the tickles, till finally they were both on the ground, covered in Oran Berry juice and pulp, and laughing so hard they couldn't breath.
"T-t-truce?" Riley said breathlessly.
"Pika," She said with a nod, with just as much exhaustion.
Riley scooped her up and they went over to a fountain, trying to wash up what they could. They began the long walk home, Penny walking behind Riley.
But Riley had failed to notice the Oran Berry still in her paw...
Riley pounded on the door. He had gotten the urgent call about ten minutes ago. Delia opened the door, her eyes were red, but there were no tears on her face.
"Is she okay?" Riley asked, and Delia shook her head. And with her parents out of town for the weekend, she didn't know what to do. She lead Riley into the main room. Laying on the table was a Ivysaur.
The Ivysaur was pale, and her eyes were bloodshot. The Pokemon was moaning and writhing in pain. There was a bowl of uneaten food near her, and a cool wet rag on her head.
"I d-don't know what to do. She broke out in a fever and its been getting worse," Delia stuttered.
Riley turned away. The Pokemon was in much pain, and it was hard to watch, "How long has she been like this?"
"Most of the day, b-but she wasn't moaning until about the time I called you," Delia said worryingly, carefully wiping the sweat from her Ivysaur.
"Delia, we need to get her to a Pokemon Center right away," Riley said, wondering why she hadn't done so sooner.
"Mom said not to go out unless it was an emergency, that's why I called you," She muttered. Riley should've guess, her parents were overprotective.
"Delia, this is an emergency. We need to go right away."
She nodded, "R-right. Bloom, return."
Riley was glad that the Ivysaur was back in the Pokeball. He couldn't stand watching the Pokemon suffer.
"We better hurry," Riley said, and she nodded weakly.
They ran out the door, and Riley lead her through the streets. They made their way to the Pokemon Center, which was luckily empty.
"Nurse Joy?" Delia called.
Nurse Joy came out of the back, "Yes, is something a matter?" She asked.
"It's my I-ivysaur."
Nurse Joy gestured to a cart, "Send it out, let me see it."
Delia let the Ivysaur out of the Pokeball, and Nurse Joy gasped. Joy went up to Bloom, carefully placing a hand on the Ivysaur's head. Nurse Joy leaned down, looking at the bloodshot eyes.
"Oh my, this is bad. I'll see what I can do," Nurse Joy looked very nervous, "I'll come get you when I'm done treating her."
Delia gulped as Nurse Joy wheeled Bloom into the back, "Will she be okay?" She muttered to no one.
Riley frowned, he didn't like Nurse Joy's reaction. Bloom seemed to be in worse condition that he thought.
Riley sat down, and Delia sat next to him. They said nothing, and the only sounds was the clock ticking and the humming from the computers.
Nurse Joy cried out to Chansey, but they couldn't make out the words. Delia grabbed Riley's hand for comfort. Unsure of what to do, he muttered to her, "Everything will be okay."
That was a lie.
Nurse Joy came out a half hour later, her face pale, "You can go see your Ivysaur now," She said, with a forced smile.
Delia leapt to her feet, "Is she okay?"
Nurse Joy looked at her sadly, "You should sit down."
Now Delia was pale.
"Have you ever heard of Pokerus?"
Delia shook her head, and Riley spoke up, "Isn't it a virus that Pokemon can get, and it helps them grow?"
"Yes, it is very rare. It has a 'brother' virus that is even rarer. This 'brother' virus is called PR2. It affects the Pokemon in an opposite way than Pokerus. Instead of helping them, it slowly eats away at the Pokemon. If caught in the early stages it can be treated, but if not..."
Delia glupped.
"... It will lead to extreme sickness, pain, and... then death."
Silence.
Nurse Joy continued, "Your Ivysaur in the the final stages of PR2. I've been shown other Pokemon with PR2, but I've never seen one so advanced. There isn't much... well, anything we can do now. I've giving her medication to lessen the pain, but we have to let it disease run its course. She doesn't have long, a day at the most."
Delia burst into tears.
"It would be stressful to move her, so I'd go in and say your goodbyes..."
"R-r-ri... R-right..." Delia stuttered. Riley followed her into the back room.
Bloom was laying on her side. She looked the same, but didn't seem to be in pain anymore. The Ivysaur raised her head weakly, "S-saur."
"Bloom," Delia reached out to stroke her, then pulled back.
"I-ivy?" Bloom cocked her head, confused.
"I did this you..."
"Saur! Saur!" Bloom shook her head.
"I should've seen the signs... I was a bad trainer. I didn't notice you were sick until you couldn't move, then I didn't even take you to a Pokemon Center! N-now you're going to d... d-d-d-d..." She let out a sob, "And its all my fault..." She started to cry, "My parents were right, I wasn't ready. You deserved a better trainer! You're going to pay- die- because of my mistakes!" Delia broke down into even harder sobs.
"Ivysaur saur!" Bloom vigorously shook her head. She grabbed Delia's hand with her vine, "Ivy ivy saur vy saur ivy ivy! Saur ivy vy saur saur!"
Delia stared at Bloom as she ranted on. The Ivysaur pointed to herself, then to Delia, "Saur saur!" Bloom looked weak, the Ivysaur colapsed back onto the bed shaking.
"Bloom!"
The Ivysaur had started shaking, and jerking around. Delia ran to her Pokemon's side, and Riley turned away, his eyes falling to the computer screen.
It read:
'PR2's final stages are extreme pain, seizures, and foaming at the mouth. Then death. Cures: Using QDR98DK7 in the early stages, later stages: None. Treatments: None.'
Bloom's seizures got worse, but somehow she managed to lock eyes with Delia, "Ivy saur saur."
Delia wiped a tear away, "I l-love you too, Bloom."
Ivysaur seemed to relax a bit. She closed her eyes as the final seizure struck, "Saur..." And the convulsions stopped. Bloom let out a final shaky breath, and then she went still.
"B-bloom..." Delia chewed on her lip, fresh tears forming in her eyes.
"Delia..." Riley began, but then stopped, he didn't what to say.
Delia turned to face him, then with a sob threw herself into his arms, crying. Riley was surprised by actions, but made no made to discourage it, considering the circumstances. He gently patted her on the back, sure sure of what to do.
Ash could only sigh in relief as the memory changed, it was hard enough watching his young mom suffer, let alone watching a Pokemon die.
"How long will you be gone?"
Riley turned to Delia, "Depends, probably about a year. But I might be back from this trip sooner," Riley had be using the term 'trip' instead of 'journey' since Delia's only Pokemon had died three months previous.
Even though she was eligible to receive another Pokemon, and even her parents agreed. But she had refused, stating at she was not ready, physically or mentally.
"I'll miss you, I mean, I don't really do much anymore with..." Most of the social activities involved Pokemon.
Riley handing her a white ball, a Premier Ball, "You need to stop being so hard on yourself. You were a great trainer. You know it, I know it, and Bloom knew it."
Delia shook her head, "I'm not. I mean, look at you and Penny," She pointed to the Pikachu on Riley's shoulder, "You two are so in sync, I've never seen anything like it."
The ship's bell rang out, "I need to go now."
Delia waved as he went to the dock, "Have fun in Sinnoh!"
"Well girl," Riley said to Penny, "Its time to train, the first step to becoming an Aura Guardian."
"Pika!" Was her reply.
The next memory showed Penny and Riley on a familiar island, Iron Island. The place were Ash had first met Riley.
"Keep it up Penny!" Riley shouted over the storm. The rain was cold enough, but hail the size of shrunken Pokeballs were falling with a shocking force.
Riley and Penny were laying on their back, in the middle of the field. They were both trying to maintain an aura shield. The hail stones were slamming into the shield, making it hard to keep the shield up.
"Chu!"
Riley's aura shield broke, and the hail pounded into his body.
"Chu-pi!" Penny screamed.
"No! Keep up your aura!" Riley cried to her, trying to focus his aura once more.
This memory show Riley kneeling next to a small Riolu. The Riolu was staring up at him with wide eyes.
"You were watching us, weren't you?" Riley asked it.
The Riolu looked terrified, it quickly nodded. Glancing at Riley, then at Penny, then lowering her head.
Riley pulled something out of his pocket, and the Riolu flinched. Riley scanned it with the Pokedex. And the Riolu cowarded has the Pokedex read:
"Riolu: the Emanation Pokémon. Riolu has the power to see and understand emotions like happiness and anger in aura waves."
Riley had heard of this Pokemon before, Riolu and Lucario. They were the only Pokemon that could use Aura, besides an Aura Guardian's Pikachu. This was Riley's first time seeing one in real life.
Riley reached out with his aura. He sensed fear, a lot of fear. He tried to send a calming aura, but the Riolu rejected it.
"Why are you scared?" Riley asked, "I'm not going to hurt you. I can use aura like you, show me why your scared," Riley held out his hand.
The Riolu winced at Riley's out stretched hand, "Lu!"
"Please, trust me."
The Riolu looked at Riley, then shakely placed her paw on Riley's hand. Riley got flashes of memories. A Lucario using aura. A Pokeball. A human forcing the small Riolu to battle Pokemon that outclassed it. A dark room. Pain. A ship ride, and being thrown overboard in a storm. Swimming to Iron Island. Hunger. Thirst. Fear. The Riolu watching Riley and Penny, watching their aura. The desire to use aura. Riley spotting the Riolu. Fear.
The Riolu broke off the connection, inching away from Riley. Riley processed the memories that she had sent over.
"Oh..." Riley had no idea of what to say, "I'm so sorry."
"Rio! Lu lu!"
"You want to learn to use aura, like... Your mom?" Riley guessed that the Lucario he saw in the memories was the Riolu's mother.
The Riolu looked at him wearily, then slowly nodded.
Riley pulled out a Pokeball and set it in front of the Riolu, "Then come train with us. All of us can use aura. We're in training to become an Aura Guardian, and you can join us."
The Riolu looked at Riley, then Penny. She reached out with her aura. She sense goodness, determination, and caring. The Riolu looked at Pokeball, then placed a paw on it.
As the Riolu was caught Riley smiled, "Looks like we have a new friend and training partner."
Riley walked through the streets, it had been over a year since he'd been home. He glanced up at one of the buildings, he had heard about the growing of the Rocket Gang. A small gang that takes after 'Team Rocket', but was only local. The building had been graffitied, and the windows smashed.
'This is your hometown?'
Riley turned to see Aerin, his Lucario, staring up at the building.
"It wasn't this bad when I left. There is this gang that's been terrorizing the town, well, that's what I heard," Riley replied, "I hope everyone's okay."
'Like Delia?' Penny taunted, speaking to Riley using aura.
"Shut up," Riley grumbled.
'Who's Delia?' Aerin asked, looking to Riley.
"A friend of mine. Nothing more."
'Why are you so sensitive about it?' Penny said, trying hard not to laugh.
"Say one more thing about and you're going back in your Pokeball for the rest of time," Riley said, earning a strange look from a passing man. Riley lowered his voice, "We need to be careful how we talk. Aura is something we shouldn't be using in public. Well, you can Aerin, your kind can use Aura naturally."
Aerin inched towards Riley, 'Why is everyone staring at me?' She was still uneasy with humans.
"You're a rare enough Pokemon in Sinnoh, but Lucarios don't even exist here in Kanto. Don't worry, no one should bother you as long as you're with a human."
Aerin froze.
'What's wrong?' Penny asked.
'I sense something," Aerin said. She could sense feelings better than Riley and Penny. Aerin closed her eyes, her aura sensors spread out like fans, sensing the aura around her. She opened her eyes and pointed towards an alley, 'Someone is very scared. They're down there.'
Riley didn't hesitate, "Lead the way."
Aerin sprinted down the alley, Riley and Penny at her heels. Up ahead the alley ended, and Aerin slowed down. The trio peeked around the corner. Aerin pointed, 'There.'
The alley lead to a small park, with had died a long time ago. A girl with short spiky hair was standing next to a Venusaur. They had cornered a girl up against a building. There was no one else in sight.
The Venusaur fired a Energy Ball right above the girl, making her flinch.
"That was a warning shot. Now give us all your Pokeballs, and we'll let you go. If not, we'll not 'miss' on the next Energy Ball," The girl with spiky hair said. Riley realized that she must be part of this 'Rocket Gang', considering the 'R' on her shirt.
"You don't understand I don't have any..." The cornered girl cried out. Riley froze as he heard her voice. Could it be...
The gang member didn't like happy, "Don't lie! You're not in the position to refuse me!"
"But..." The girl muttered, and Riley got a glimpse of her. It was... her!
"Out of time, Venusaur, give her a taste of Vine Whip!"
"Saur!" Venusaur readied his vines, and lashed them out towards the girl.
Pure anger ran through Riley. With thinking he held out his hand, and formed a aura shield around the girl. The Venusaur's Vines slammed into the shield several times, but not getting through.
The girl had raised her arms to cover her face. When the attack never came she raise her head in time to see the aura fade. The gang member and the Venusaur looked just as surprised, "What in the world..." The spikey hair girl muttered.
"Stop it right now!" Riley roared, and everyone turned to look at him.
"Great, looks like we've been interrupted."
Riley stormed up to them, "Who are you?"
She rolled her eyes, "Like I'd tell my real name. But people call me 'Zero'," The gang member said with a smirk.
"Leave Delia alone!"
Zero glanced towards the girl she had been trying to rob, "Delia, uh? What are you, a princess?" She turned back to Riley, "I believe I'm discussing business with 'Delia', so back off kid.'
"We'll see who's a kid, Aerin, go!"
The Lucario stepped forward, crouching down, ready to charge.
"Venusaur, take care of them. Venoshock!"
The Venusaur launched a glob of purple liquid at Lucario from its flower. Riley didn't even bother to call out a command, and Aerin didn't even flinch. The liquid hit Lucario, but it just slide off of her.
Riley smirked, "You need to learn about your Pokemon, Lucario is a Steel-Type. Poison-Types moves don't do anything to Steel-Types."
Zero didn't reply, "Bullet Seed!"
"Use your aura to block!"
Aerin brought her paws together and formed a shield of aura in front of her, and the Bullet Seeds were deflected.
Zero frowned, "So it was your Lucario that stopped the Vine Whip."
It had been Riley that had blocked the Vine Whip, but he didn't say anything. He just let them think that it had been Aerin, "Aura Sphere!"
Aerin leapt up into the air and launched a blue sphere towards the Venusaur, making it stumble.
"Now use Psychic!"
The Lucario landed on the ground, and closed her eyes. She opened them, and they were glowing blue. The Venusaur began surrounded in a blue light and was lifted up into air, then was slammed into the ground.
"Get up you lug!" Zero screamed to it.
"Dragon Pulse."
Aerin fired the attack at the fallen Venusaur, making let out a low moan.
"Get up and battle!" Venusaur managed to get to its feet.
"Let's finish this up with a combo. Metal-Shadow Claw!" Riley cried.
One of Lucario's paws glowed with Metal Claw, and the other with Shadow Claw. She leapt at Venusaur, slashing it several times. The Venusaur fell to the ground, and not to get up again.
"Nicely done Aerin," Riley said.
Zero returned to her Venusaur, and glared at Riley, "I- Arg!" Then she left without another word. Riley wanted to go after her, but a small voice stopped him.
"R-riley?"
Riley turned towards Delia, "Are you okay Delia?"
"Y-yes... Its really you!" She stared at Riley in suprised. Riley helped her up, "You're back!"
"My ship got in this morning. We were just going down the street, then Aerin sensed something. We followed her here, and then... yeah," Riley said.
Delia gawked at Aerin, "What kind of Pokemon is it?"
"She's a Lucario. She can sense a force called Aura, and she can use it to sense feelings, or to attack and protect herself."
Delia thought for a moment, "Was that force that stopped the Vine Whip called aura?"
"... Yes..."
Delia smiled, "Thank you Lucario for protecting me."
Aerin looked unsure. She backed away.
'That's Delia,' Penny told Aerin.
Now Aerin looked interested, she leaned forward, studying Delia, 'So this is the Delia.'
"Hi Penny," Delia waved to the small Pikachu.
"Pika!"
They group stood in silence for a few minutes.
"Are... Are you sure you're okay?" Riley asked.
"Yes," She said, smiling.
"So... Its been a while, hasn't it?"
"Yes," Delia said again, "Over a year."
"Um... Are you busy Saturday? We could go to lunch or something and we could catch up..." Riley's cheeks we're getting warm.
Delia put her hands on her hips and looked at Riley, "Are you asking me out Riley Cameran?"
Riley flushed red, "Um.. Err.. I-" He stuttered.
Delia grinned, "Then I accept."
Riley got even redder.
"You better be on time, or else you'll have to answer to my daddy's Dragonite," Her grinned softened, "And thank you for saving me," She walked away.
Riley stood there, still as a statue, and redder than a Cheri Berry, for several minutes. He stayed that way until Penny used Thundershock on him.
He pumped his fisted up into the air, "Yes!"
'Just a friend you said?' Penny asked in a sing-song tone.
Riley glared at her, going red again, "Sh-shut up!"
Penny grinned.
The next memories that Riley showed him were just short blurs. Only two of them stood out. The first one was of Riley down on one knee, and his mother nodding. The second one showed his mother in a white dress, reciting her vows.
But after that, the memories once again became clear.
Riley was pacing, his hands in his hair, with Penny and Aerin watching his every move.
Ash realized that the memory showed his house in Pallet Town.
"I was so stupid," Riley muttered, "So stupid."
'Master, you need to calm down.'
"I ran away from my duty. And now..." He shook his head, "If its a girl... That would be fine. But if its a boy... I just sealed him to a horrible fate!" Riley pulled out a few hairs, "I was so stupid..."
The phone rang.
Riley flinched, and stumbled to the phone, "Y-yes?"
"Hi Riley!" Delia's voice came through the phone, "I know what it is!" She said cheerfully.
"Really? Well, tell me, I'm dying to know!" Riley said.
"A boy! We're going to have a son! Isn't that great Riley!" Delia said with pure joy, "Isn't that great!"
Riley stumbled, and would've fallen, but he caught himself. He collapsed onto the sofa instead.
"Riley? Riley! Are you there?"
"Y-yes," Riley stuttered, then forced a happy tone in his voice, "Yes, I'm here. A boy, that's wonderful honey!"
"I know!"
"I'll come pick you up," He said with false warmness, "Love you dear!"
"Bye!" She said as Riley hung up the phone.
Penny and Aerion shared a worry glance.
"What have I done..." Riley said as he smothered a ball of red aura.
The doctor finally allowed Riley into the room. He lead him into the small room, were Delia was lying on the hospital bed, with a small bundle in her arms. She sat up when she saw Riley, who went over to her side.
"Here he is," She said, sliding the bundle into his arms. Wrapped up in a light blue blanket was a small baby. He had raven black hair.
"What should we name him?" Delia asked for the hundredth time. Every name she thought of she didn't like, and Riley never gave his opinion.
Riley said nothing, but placed a hand on his son's head, scanning with his aura. Riley quickly pulled his hand back. This boy's aura was strong. Way stronger than it should've been.
"Ash."
Delia blinked, "What?"
"His name should be Ash," Riley said, 'Like ashes,' He thought.
Delia blinked again, then reached out for her son. She smiled as Riley place the boy back into his arms, "I like it. Hello there Ash."
The child opened his eyes, and looked up at his parents, and he blinked his brown eyes several times.
Riley turned away. He knew that he had to leave, it was for the best.
Delia sat up, she could have sworn she heard a door shut. It must of been a dream. She glanced around, her eyes adjusting to the darkness. She glanced over to Riley's side of the bed. It was empty.
She swallowed her rising panic. He might just be up to get a drink. Or maybe he went to check on Ash. She turned on the lamp, feeling a bit thirsty herself. Then she noticed the note.
Her panic rose again. She shakily reached for the letter, and read:
/*/
Dear Delia,
I am writing this because I know I cannot say this in person. But I must leave, I cannot really explain why, but I know I would be a horrible father. Though this is hard, I know it is the right thing. I love you beyond words, and I always will. Please don't mad, and I promise that I'll return one day.
I only took my Pokemon and the clothes on my back. I left all of the money, the car, and everything. I know you'll be a great mother and will raise Ash to be the best he can be. Take care of him, because he is very special.
I love you so much, and Penny says "Pika!"
Your truly,
Riley
/*/
She read over the letter several times.
"No."
She leapt to her feet and ran down the hall. Ash's door was part way open, showing that his father had said goodbye. She made her way to the main room, where the closet door was part way open, Riley's coat was gone, and the shelf were he kept his Pokeballs was empty.
"No!"
She ran to the front door, which was unlocked. She threw the door open, and she could still see several dusty footprints.
"Riley!" Delia cried out, "Please, no!"
Nothing.
She fell to her knees, "Please!" She started crying, "Riley, please..."
Riley stood on a hill outside, watching Delia run outside, calling to him.
"NO!" Her cries echoed through the hills, "Riley!"
'Are you sure this is the right thing to do?'
Riley turned away, "Yes," He replied to Penny.
Several lights came on the neighbor's house. Professor Oak came down, running to Delia, "What's wrong Delia?"
"H-he's g-g-one... He's gone!" Delia sobbed, "R-riley..."
Professor Oak's eye's widened, he placed a hand in Delia's shoulder, "Let's get you instead and get you a drink."
"R-riley..."
Riley's eyes grew cold, and he walked away.
A cheerful playroom was draped in shadow. The only light came from the half-moon. A one-year boy was sitting up in his crib. He had a head of messy black hair, and he was wide awake. He was playing with a small Growlithe toy.
His brown eyes turned towards the door as it opened. A man in a blue hat and jacket. and a small Oddish came into the room.
The man in the doorway, Riley, turned towards the Oddish, "Did you do it?"
The Oddish nodded, he had used Sleep Powder on Delia, to make sure she stayed asleep.
"Good," Riley muttered, "I don't want her to see me and get her hopes up."
"Pok-ie! Pok-ie!" The small boy said, looking at the Oddish.
"Ash," Riley said. Riley held out his hand, scanning his son's aura, "Just as I thought. Your aura is very strong, much stronger than it should be."
"Pok-ie!" Ash said again.
Riley looked at his son, then he sang in a slow tone:
"Morning comes,
The sun is gone.
Earth is dead,
Hope is lost.
Nothing left but
Ashes."
Ash froze, that was the tune Riley had been humming earlier! The one he couldn't figure out where he had heard it.
The young Ash had said nothing during the song, but as it ended he started chatting again.
"Pok-on! Pok-on!" He giggled, still focused on the Oddish.
"Sleep Powder," Riley muttered. The Oddish made its way to Ash's crib and prepared the attack, sending the powder over the young boy. Ash yawn, and laid down, falling asleep. Riley surveyed the room, then quietly shut the door, Oddish at his heels.
Riley went into another room, were Delia was fast asleep. Riley gently kissed her on the head, and muttered something so quiet that no one could hear it.
Riley strolled outside, letting out a Staraptor, and climbed onto its back. He returned the Oddish to its Pokeball, then let it out again, but instead of the usual white light, it was blue. Oddish looked up at the trainer that had just released him.
"You should stay here, keep an eye on Delia on Ash. Would you do that for me?" Riley asked, and the Oddish nodded.
Ash remembered an Oddish that lived in his mother's garden when he was younger, was this the same one?
"Back to Sinnoh Staraptor," Riley muttered, and the Staraptor rose up into the air.
"And it looks like Charizard is taking a nap!" The announcer's voice echoed through the stadium. Down on the battlefield was Charizard, laying down and yawning. Standing near him was a very confused Pikachu. Charizard's trainer was on the sidelines, begging for it to battle.
"Please Charizard, you can't quit now!"
Ash saw his ten year old self in the Indigo League.
"Look at him, floundering," Riley sneered. He was high up in the crowd, watching the battle below, Penny by his side. Riley was shaking his head, "One thing I notice about all of his Pokemon is that they trust Ash. But this Charizard... it has no faith in him. I respected Ash for the trust he developed, but this is pathetic."
'That's a little harsh don't you think?' Penny asked.
"It may be harsh, but it is the truth. Let's go," Riley said, leaving before the announcer could declare Ritchie the winner.
"Pikachu, Thunderbolt!"
"Latios, Lightscreen!" The Latios became covered in a yellow light, cutting the not-very-effective Thunderbolt's power in half.
"Why does that kid even bother, he'll never beat Tobias, let alone that Latios" Somebody behind Riley muttered. Riley turned around and looked at the man.
"And what makes you say that?" Riley asked, unsure why he was even challenging the statement.
The man looked at Riley, "Are you blind? That is a Latios, it is rare enough to see one, or to see one battle, let alone see on that's been captured. Mark my words, that boy's Pikachu will fall to that Latois."
"We'll see," Riley said, turning back towards the battle, unsure of why he was being so defensive.
"Latios, ascend and let's get this over with!" Tobias cried.
"Pikachu, Thunderbolt! You can do it!" Ash yelled. The Latios rose up into the air, Pikachu clinging on for dear life. Pikachu let out another Thunderbolt, but it didn't seem to do much.
"Quick, descend and toss it off!" Tobias yelled. The Latios suddenly dove, and Pikachu was flung off its back, falling towards the ground, "Use Luster Purge, now!" The Latois prepared the attack.
"This is over," The man behind Riley muttered.
"Come on, think Ash, think," Riley muttered, and Penny seemed just as eager.
"Pikachu! Use Volt Tackle!" Ash cried.
"Volt Tackle?" The man behind Riley scoffed, "He'll just do damage to himself."
Pikachu did a somersault in mid-air, launching himself into Volt Tackle, right as the Luster Purge hit him. The crowd flinched, but the Volt Tackle cut right through the Luster Purge. Pikachu was charging right through the attack. The Latois powered up the attack even more.
"Pikachu! Now use Iron Tail!" Ash screamed. Pikachu slightly glanced at his trainer, and with a look of determination, swung his tail around, and slammed it into the Latios's head. There was a huge explosion, and the field became cloaked in dust.
As the dust cleared, the crowd started to mutter. Ash's Pikachu laid next to Latios, both defeated. Ash hadn't just managed to defeat one of Tobias's Pokemon, which no one else had done, but two of them.
"Latios and Pikachu are both unable to fight, and since six of Ash's Pokemon have been defeated, that means Tobias is the winner!" The judge declared. The crowd bursted into cheering. Ash ran over to Pikachu, scooping him up and muttering something that only Pikachu could hear. Tobias said something to Ash, and Ash replied. Then with a nod, they walked off the stage.
Riley said nothing as he returned Penny to her Pokeball. He smiled, then headed for the exit of the stadium.
Ash blinked several times as his sight returned. Riley let out of his wrist as Ash processed the memories Riley had sent over to him. Riley stood up and walked over to the opposite corner of the the cell, not making eye contact with him.
Ash tried to gather words, "I-"
Riley held up a hand, "Quiet boy, someone is coming."
Ash was about to say he didn't hear anything, but then he heard footsteps of several people coming down the hall. He felt his heart rate speed up.
As the footsteps came closer Ash hoped they would pass, but instead they slowed down, stopping in front of the door of the cell. A key jingled in the lock, and the door opened. Zan walked into the cell, glancing around.
Two men hung back in the hall with Zan's Zoroark, a Klefki, and a Luxray. Ash quickly glanced over them, then refocused on Zan. Riley kept his head down, not looking at anyone.
Zan smiled, "I'm surprised to find both of you in one piece."
His words hung in the air, no one responding. After a moment, he continued.
"I have much to discuss with you Ash, so I'm not going to waste any time. But as for you Riley," Zan glanced at one of the men back in the hall, who step forward and tossed Riley a small, corse bag.
Riley flinched as it landed in front of him. He reached for it, opening it up, and removing the contents. A canteen of water and a hunk of bread, too big to be called a roll, too small to be called a loaf.
Ash's stomach gave an involuntary growl at the sight of food. Zan gave him a small smile, "And as for you Ash, I only reward the people that help me. So I have a few questions to ask you, if you please me, I shall please you. If not..."
"You'll get more information from a Magikarp," Ash spat.
Zan raised an eyebrow, "Really? I'll be the judge of that, Ash," Zan turned towards the two men in the hall, "I believe we'll start right away."
The men nodded, and entered the cell, grabbing Ash. Ash recognized them as two of the men that had attacked him in Unova. They heaved Ash to his feet, and forced him out of the cell. Ash considered resisting, but then thought better of it. Silence would be his best tool.
Riley glanced up, only for a few seconds. Then after a moment he spoke. He spoke slowly, like he was considering his every word.
"Honestly Zan," Riley began, "He's only sixteen, a little young for this kind of thing, don't you think?"
Zan glanced at Riley, then answered matter-a-factly, "Sixteen or six, if someone has information I want, I'll get it." With that Zan left the cell, closing the door, leaving Riley inside, alone. Ash watched as the Klefki locked the door with one of her many keys.
Zan made his way down the hall, his Pokemon by his side. The two men tightened their grip on Ash, and forced him forward. Ash took a deep breath and closed his eyes.
Left foot.
Right foot.
Left, right, left, right, left.
Right?
A/N: So last chapter I asked you guys if you want Brock and Dawn or Team Rocket. Brock and Dawn won, so they shall enter the story in a few chapters. This does not mean they'll be no Team Rocket, I might include them later in the story. And I haven't forgotten about Grace and Pikachu, they'll be in the next chapter! If Pikachu knew what was about to happen to Ash... Let's just say there would be a ton of Thunderbolts...
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