Hope

Pikachu stared at where Thomas had run off then looked back at the three little Pichu snuggled together sleeping. He walked over and petted Ash's head a little causing him to stir a little bit.

"Pikachu…" he murmured in his sleep.

After hearing this, Pikachu was certain that Ash was still in there… somewhere.

"I have to find a way to turn him back… but how?" Pikachu asked himself.

Pikachu looked up and saw that the sun was going down.

"Well can't dwell on it now. I might as well get some rest to. *He looked at the two extra Pichu* They look oddly familiar."

Pikachu looked to his left and saw a nook in a tree.

"Perfect." He said.

After getting all of the Pichu into the nook, and getting in himself, he found that all three of them snuggled up to him.

Pikachu sighed then went to sleep.

About 6 hours later

Pikachu awoke to crying. The Pichu's weren't in the nook with him anymore. He walked outside and saw Jessie on the ground, bawling her brains out.

"What happened?" he asked.

"*sniffle* We were pwaying and *sniffle* James came over and pushed meeee!" Jessie said while she was crying.

"James!" Pikachu called out.

"Yes Daddy?"

"Did you push her?"

"It was an accident! Jessie ran in front of me and I ran into her."

So their names are Jessie and James. Wow! Why do they have to be named after those two… Pikachu thought.

"Hey! Where's Ash?" Pikachu asked, suddenly noticing that Ash was not in the area.

"He went off to explore. I told him not to and that he should wait for you to get up Daddy." Jessie said.

"Why didn't you guys wake me up?"

"We knew you were tired!" James blurted out.

"Ash isn't safe!" Pikachu said as he threw both Jessie and James onto his back. "Hold on!"

Jessie and James held on for their lives as Pikachu used quick attack to follow Ash's scent. After about five minutes, he came up to a small lake.

"This is where the scent ends." Pikachu said.

"Maybe he went swimming!" James yelled.

"Daddy look!" Ash called out.

Pikachu turned and saw Ash.

"Thank goodness you're safe Ash! Don't do that again!" Pikachu scolded.

"But Daddy look I have a new friend." Ash inputted.

Pikachu looked up and saw a Pokémon floating down.

He gasped when he found out what it was.

"Azelf…"