Don't Forget, But You Did

By Amaimon25

Comashipping

Rated M for later chapters

'Thoughts'

Chapter 4: Welcome Home Flashback Party

PREVIOUSLY…

"I wish I could remember." Paul looked a little guilty. He put his hand on Ash's right cheek and said, "Hey, It's gonna be okay. You're gonna remember one day."

Ash smiled at him, "Yeah, well let's go to Pallet Town!" He grabbed Paul's hand from his cheek and intertwined it with his. Pikachu agreed too, "Pi, pikachu!" Paul again smiled, "Yeah…let's go home." And they headed out from the hospital.

A raven-haired boy with a Pikachu on his shoulder and a mauve-haired boy stood in front his cute little house in the town of Pallet. Ash gave a little smiled and looked at Paul with his amber eyes. Paul smiled back with his amethyst colored ones. Ash turned back to his house and said, "Well, here we go." Paul nodded, as they walked into the house. Delia was already in the house, and Ash heard her whispering in there, he didn't know what was going on.

As the couple walked in, everything was all dark. The only light they could see was the sunlight emanating from outside. Ash turned to Paul, since he didn't know what was going on. Paul gave a smirk and said, "Surprise." He turned the light switch on. Ash gave a 'huh?' look, and then people exploded from behind the couches and behind the wall that led to the kitchen yelling out "Surprise!" Ash gave some sort of a hybrid combination of a gasp and a yell, and then smile grazed his faced.

Ash looked around at the people who were in his house he recognized them from their visits at the hospital. Misty, Brock, Tracy, Dawn, May, Max, Richie, and Gary are the ones he remembered. Misty and Brock are the first to approach them. "Hey, Ash! How are you feeling?" asked Brock. "I'm just fine. The doctor said I'm as healthy as a person with amnesia can be.
Ash said with a sheepish grin. Ash turned to his friend with the Azurill in her arms, "So, Misty how has the gym been?" Misty smiled and said, "Oh, it's been just fine. Their wasn't many trainers later, but since the Indigo League is about to start in a month, I guess everybody has won eight badges already." Ash gave a nod. Tracy came up to them and said his hello.

Once Misty, Brock, and Tracy left Ash's side, Dawn, Max and May came by. "So Ash, do you remember anything yet?" asked Dawn. Paul glared at her for asking something so stupid. Ash gave a sad smile and nodded with a no. May also gave a sad smile, she didn't know what to say so her little brother spoke. "Hey Ash, maybe you'll get your memories back if you go see your Pokémon at the lab." Ash gave another smile though it wasn't sad and said, "That's a great idea, Max. Maybe we'll go later, or maybe tomorrow. I think I'll be a little tired after this party." Max gave a smile and a nod. May had an idea and screamed it out. "Hey Ash, I have an idea! Why don't we have a Pokémon battle? I mean, it might refresh your memory. And if it doesn't, at least you'll have a little fun."

Gary heard that and came walking in front of them. "Hey, Ash! That's a great idea. Why don't me and you have a Pokémon battle?" Ash looked at him and gave a smile, "Oh hey Gary. Maybe later I mean come on, I just got home. I wanna look around." he said. Ash saw Paul tense up next to him from his peripheral vision. "Oh sure. L-" Gary said and then got cut off by a growl. They all looked confused. Ash looked at Paul to see if he got jealous, and he put up his hands in defense that he didn't do it. 'GROWL…' there it was again, they turned to Ash and saw that he was blushing and holding his stomach. There was another growl, and they figured out it was Ash. Ash blushed even more, while everyone else laughed at him. "It's just like old times. Same old Ash." said Richie between laughs. "Why don't we go eat now? I'm starving." the raven-haired boy said, and Pikachu said with a "Pi-pikachu!"

Everyone went towards the kitchen and saw Ash's mom and Professor Oak there helping out in the kitchen. They turned around and looked at the children. "Oh, hello guys. The food is almost ready, why don't you guys take a seat?" They all nodded their heads and began taking their seats. Paul sat next to Ash's left side and Gary was on his right. Richie across from Ash. Everyone else sat around them. A little bit of talking came and then the food came. Ash's mouth looked like it was about to water. He saw spaghetti, pizza, sushi, hot dogs, steak, sub sandwiches, etc. Paul looked at Ash and smiled. He thought to himself, "Well, at least something about him is the same."

They dug into the food, Ash looked at his mother and said, "Wow, mom. Your cooking is great, I can't believe I forgot about it!" Everyone agreed with him that her food were so delicious. Delia put her hands on her cheeks trying to hide her blush, "Aw, you guys are just being kind. Thank you so much." Ash was trying to get the nerve to ask something, and he finally did. "Hey guys, can you guys tell me how I met you guys." They all looked at him and smiled. Misty spoke first, "Okay, me first. Since, I was the first to go on your journey with you." Misty continued after getting a nod from Ash. "Well, I ran away from home, and I was fishing…"

Flashback

Misty was fishing in the outskirts of Pallet Town. Her line tugged and went under water. She got up and started pulling on the line. "Hey, I got a bite! Oh, I think this is gonna be a really big one!" she said. She pulled harder and out came a 10 year-old raven haired boy from the water with a Pikachu in his arms. Misty got a closer look at the boy coughing up water and got angry, "Aw! It's just a kid!", then she noticed the electric mouse, "Oh, are you okay?" she asked. Ash looked up at her and smiled weakly as he said, "Yeah, I'm okay." Misty looked at him angrily, "Not you! Aw, look what you did to that poor little thing. Is it breathing?" she asked with a concerned look. Ash looked at Pikachu and said, "I-I-I think so." Misty yelled at Ash, "Well don't just sit there, it needs a doctor right away! There's a medical center not to far from here. You got to get moving now!"

Ash stood up from the ground, "You mean a hospital?" Misty put her hands on her hips, "Yeah, for Pokémon." Ash asked, "Um, can you tell me which way do I go?" Misty pointed to Ash's left and said, "That way." Once she said that they heard the flock of Spearows heading there way. "There coming fast! Run!" he yelled, as he ran to the nearby red bike. Misty turned and looked at him, "Hey, what are you doing?" As Ash got on the bike he said, "I'm borrowing this." And he left. Misty yelled after him, "Wait, that's my bike!" Ash yelled from the bike, "I'll give it back someday!" Misty then again put her hands on her hips and said, "Oh, you!"

"And that's how first meeting was like. Oh, and by the way, you still owe me a bike." she said, with a wink. Ash laughed and said, "Wow! What a nice first meeting we had. But, why were a flock a Spearow chasing after me?" he questioned. She shrugged her shoulders, "Well if I remember, you told me that you tried to catch one and it called out to its friends, and then started chasing after you. You and Pikachu didn't get along well yet."

Ash looked at Pikachu, who was sitting on the floor comfortably eating its food with Misty's Azurill. "Wow, me and Pikachu didn't get along? That's hard to believe, I mean look at him, he's adorable." He said, and Pikachu blushed rubbing the back of his head with his paw. Misty spoke, "Well, that's true. But you told me that you didn't get along with him at the beginning. All you guys did was fight, and Pikachu didn't want to listen to you at all. But then, when the Spearow were about to attack you, Pikachu jumped on your shoulder and with the giant thunderstorm that was going on, he made a giant Thunder attack. That's how you guys became friends." Ash looked at Pikachu was again and smiled and thought to himself, 'So, that's how we became friends.'

Richie interrupted them. "I remember when I first met you and Pikachu." Ash and everyone turned to him now listening. Ash spoke, "Oh really. So how did we meet?" Again, Ash saw Paul get tense next to him. Ash sighed and under the table held Paul's hand. Paul turned to Ash and blushed. he thought to himself, 'Oh great. My own boyfriend is having pity for me. I fell so pathetic right now. I can't even control my jealousy.' He turned back to hears Richie story with the blush still on his face. Ash gave a giggle, and turned to hear the story as well. "Well, it was yours and mine's first Pokémon League entrance and meet wet at the elevator…"

Flashback

Ash, Brock, Misty, Delia, and Professor Oak headed toward the elevator. Professor Oak pushed the down button on the elevator and spoke to Ash, "If you just remember to always do your best, you're a winner even though you lose. That's the important thing." Then Ash's mother spoke, "But try to win." Ash gave a nod and said, "Right." Misty spoke then saying, "We'll make sure he does." Brock gave a thumbs up and said, "We're good at that." They entered the elevator, and when they got on they heard a boy yelling, "Hold the door please. I'm going down stairs too." Professor Oak held the door for him, "Sure." The 10 year-old boy had really pretty ocean blue eyes, auburn colored hair, and wore a blue cap.

Once he got in, he gave a big sigh and said, "Thank you very much." Professor Oak gave a smile, "No problem." He looked down and noticed the Pikachu. "Ah, a Pikachu. Who's is it?" Ash looked at him and smiled, "Mine. Pikachu belongs to me." Richie looked up at Ash, "You're really lucky." "Yeah, thanks." Richie looked back at Pikachu and moved his hand to pet Pikachu. Ash noticed and yelled out, "Hey, you better be careful!" Richie touched Pikachu's right cheek, and Pikachu leaned into his touch, "Pikachu!" he said adorably. Ash was about to yell again, but then stopped once he noticed Pikachu liked his touch. "Huh?" Brock was confused. Misty smiled and said, "Looks like your rubbing Pikachu the right way." Richie looked at Ash, "I can see you did a really great job raising your Pikachu." Ash smiled, "Oh thanks," Ash sheepishly smiled and rubbed the back of his head, "It wasn't always easy." Once he said that, the elevator stopped and the lights blacked out. Everyone looked up. "What's going on?" Ash asked. Brock spoke, "The power went out." "Try using the emergency call button." said Professor Oak. Brock walked over to the button and pressed it, "Right. Hello, uh, can anyone in there hear me? Hello there, hey!" Brock turned to the group, "Looks like it's busted too." Professor Oak said, "It's probably just a power outage." Delia looked concerned, "What should we do?" Professor Oak crossed his arms, "Hmmm…I guess we're stuck here until someone restores the electricity.

Misty looked concerned, "What? Oh no!" Brock heard some rustling to his left and saw the auburn-haired boy messing with the electrical wires. He turned and looked at Ash, "Excuse me? Uh-can I borrow your Pikachu for a second?" Ash looked at him confused, "Uh, yeah." Ash picked up Pikachu and walked to the boys side, "What for?" He held up some electrical wires and said, "I wanna use Pikachu's thundershock to jump start the elevator. That should get us to the lobby." They looked at him. "Say there, you got an interesting idea. Let's try it Ash." Professor Oak said. Ash came closer with Pikachu in his hands, "Okay." The blue eyed boy put the wires to Pikachu's cheeks. Ash said, "Pikachu, thundershock." Pikachu used his thundershock, "Pikachu!" The started to flicker back to life, and the elevator started moving again. Everyone cheered, "We're moving!" said Ash.

Pikachu kept using his thundershock until they finally got to the first floor, the doors opened. They went outside, "Haha! We made it!" Misty said cheerfully. Brock turned to the boy, "I'm glad we opened the door for you." Delia smiled at him, "We can't thank you enough." Richie looked at Delia, "Don't thank me, thank Pikachu." Ash stepped forward, "Thank you! Your name?" Richie then spoke, "Uh, oh yeah. My name's Richie." Ash spoke again, "My name's Ash. Nice to meet ya." Richie said, "I gotta go. See ya." He started running. "Bye." said Ash...

"And that's how we met." Richie finished. Ash smiled, "Wow, so we met on a stuck elevator. That's funny." said Ash. Brock smiled, "Okay, it's my turn next! Well, it isn't much of a story. You came to challenge the Pewter City Gym and I was the gym leader…"

Flashback

Ash was standing in front of the Pewter City Gym, "So, this is the Pewter City Gym. Alright then." He opened the giant doors, "Hellooo!" He walked into the gym and looked around. Out of nowhere, a light flickered and Ash turned around. There was sitting a man with spiky brown hair, and with a brown shirt and pants with a green vest. "Who goes there?" Ash was surprised. "So, you must be Brock. I'm Ash, from Pallet Town." He held his hand into a fist, "I challenge you!" Brock spoke, "Is this your first gym match?" Ash spoke, "Uh-" Brock interrupted him, "A gym match is different from other battles. This match is for Pokémon League authorization. Understood?" Ash looked confused, "Um, what do you mean by special rules?" Brock stood up, "We will use two Pokémon each. Those are the rules." Ash spoke, "Oh." "How long have you been with that Pokémon?" Brock asked. "Uh, about two weeks, I guess." Brock said, "Yes, your Pikachu is at it's cutest stage." Pikachu smiled at his words. "It can't win." Pikachu smile became a sweat drop.

Ash looked angry, "Don't worry about my Pokémon and worry about yours, alright?" "Suit yourself. As gym leader, I have to accept every challenge so let's just get this over with." He said. He snapped his fingers and the floor started to move. A giant rock field came from the wall and almost ran over Ash and Pikachu. Brock jumped into the air and landed on the square where he supposed to be. He held up a pokeball, "Let the battle begin."

"The first match we had you lost, but then you came back and won with just your Pikachu. It was amazing! And after our battle, I found you leaving Pewter City with Misty and joined you guys, and we've been together ever since, until you went to the Unova League." Ash smiled again, "Oh, then electric types are not effective with rock types, got it."

Tracy, Max May, and Dawn said there story on how they met. Gary was next, "So, I guess it's my turn. Well we were friends since we were little. I was seven and you were five, and we met at a river not too far from here…"

Flashback

Ash kept running and running. He was running as fast as a 5 year-old kid could run in a forest full of trees, and in the starless night sky. He tripped on a bush and scraped his arm as he fell. He didn't get up, but started crying. "Daddy…Daddy…why'd you have to die daddy! Why?!" he yelled into his arms and pounded the ground. He wept and wept until he fell asleep.

He woke up seeing an unfamiliar scenery. He saw behind him the forest, and in front of him was a clear blue, sparkling river. It didn't have a very strong current, and was low with water. Ash got closer to the river and looked at his reflection and saw his runny nose and his puffy, red eyes. He wondered why he was crying, and remembered his father. He remembered him dying in front of his eyes from the wrath of Team Rocket's Pokémon. His eyes began to water again, clutching his fists and ripping the grass right from the ground.

Ash jumped into the river and wiped his face with the water, trying not to remember the day before. Ash looked up when he heard rustling in the bushes. "H-who there?" he screamed, praying that it wasn't the men that killed his father. Ash picked up a rock from the ground and threw it at the bush that was rustling. "Ow!" said the voice of a small boy. The boy came out of the bushes with a hand at where the rock hit. He stomped way to Ash, meeting him in the river.

"Hey kid! Look what you did to my beautiful face!" said the spiky brunette boy with green eyes, he pointed at his forehead with a giant red bump on his forehead. Ash was scared at his rage, "I-I'm so sorry! I didn't m-mean to!" He rubbed his eyes with his hands to try and stop the tears. The boy sweat dropped, waving his hands not knowing what to do. "Uh-uh it's okay! See look it's going away now so stop crying. Please!" After a couple minutes later, Ash once again stopped crying. He looked up at Gary.

Gary looked back at him, he was glad that he stopped crying. "Good, you stopped. So, why'd you come here? This is my playground." He said, gesturing that the river and everything around it was all his. Ash didn't want to answer him, so he hung his head down. Gary didn't need to know anyways, "Hey, come and play with me! That should make you happy!" Ash gave a weak smile and nodded his head yes, "Okay." They ran around playing tag, and playing hide and seek, and after that played in the river for the rest of the day. It was around 6 in the afternoon and both of them were extremely tired.

They were laying down next to each other, looking up at the sky, waiting for the stars to appear. Gary turned to face Ash, "Today was really fun, Ash! Let's do this again." Ash gave a grin, "Yeah!" There was a comfortable silence between them. Gary dared to disturb it, with the question he tries to ask earlier. He turned around again facing Ash once more, "Ash?" Ash faced him, "Yeah, what is it Gary?" Gary wanted to know why, "Why are you here? I mean, I'm the only one who knows about this place." Ash got tense, "M-my daddy died, and I ran away…" Gary was shocked, he knew Ash didn't want to answer the question but he did anyway.

"I-I'm so sorry for asking. I didn't mean to make you remember it. I-"Gary was interrupted by Ash's explosive crying. "It's all my fault! It's my fault that he's dead! Daddy!" he cried over and over again. "What do you mean it's your fault?" Gary asked shocked. "I killed him! He was protecting me a-and he was killed! I killed him!" Gary didn't say anything he didn't know what to do. Gary just came closer to him and hugged him as tight as he could without hurting him. But, he was getting hurt. Ash was pounding harshly at his chest not wanting anyone to get close to him, but after a while they were getting weaker. Gary was sure he was clam enough for him to speak again, "It's okay, Ash…your dad died to protect you…he died because he loved you. It's fine…it's gonna be okay…" Gary could feel his shaking body calming down, and his breathing going slower.

Gary notices after a while that Ash fell asleep in his arms. Gary too was getting tired from his commotion. With Ash curled up in his arms, they fell asleep.

Morning came once again, and Gary awoke first. He heard police sirens going off nearby. He looked at Ash next to him, and tried to shake him away. Ash gave out one of those leave me alone mumbles, "Hey, Ash. Get up, do you hear the police sirens?" Gary asked. Ash got up quickly, realizing that the sirens were real, and that they were coming closer. They started to hear barking from not so far away. A couple of seconds later, a group of Growlithe came out of the bushes. Police right behind them, then came Officer Jenny. She talked on her walkie-talkie, "Attention, all units! We have found the child, but he's with another boy. Call his mother immediately! We have found Ash Ketchum!" Ash looked confused and Gary spoke, "Hey, Ash. I think they were looking for you." Ash turned to him, "What?" Before Gary could answer, Officer Jenny kneeled down in front of them.

"Hello, Ash. My name is Officer Jenny. We've been looking for you." She said with a smile. "Y-you have?" Ash asked. Jenny gave a nod, "Yep, your mommy is very worried about you." Jenny then turned to Gary, "Hello, aren't you the grandson of Professor Oak?" Gary gave a nod. After she asked that Ash's mother came running, "Ash!" She pulled Ash into a hug and started crying, "Oh, Ash! I thought you died! I'm so glad you are okay!" Ash didn't have any emotions being shown in his face . Delia looked at him, "Ash sweetie, what's wrong?" Ash looked down at the ground, "Mommy…daddy…he's…he's-" Ash was beginning to cry again, "I know, I know…It's gonna be okay, Ash...everything is going to be okay…" Delia said as she pulled Ash into a hug once again.

Half an hour later, Delia was leaving with Ash in her arms. Gary was offered a ride home, and he nodded yes. Gary turned to Ash one last time, "Ash! Come back soon! I'll be waiting!" Ash looked down from his mother's arms and smiled, "Okay. I'll be back!" He waved goodbye...

Ash was completely shocked, more from what had happened than meeting Gary. "So…my dad died, trying to protect me?" he asked, not needing an answer. Tears started dropping from his cheeks and onto his fisted, shaking hands. Everyone was quiet not knowing what to do. Gary felt guilty for telling him something so horrible from his past. Gary leaned to Ash about to comfort him, but Paul grabbed Ash and put his head onto his chest, glaring at Gary. Gary looked crushed. His hands clenched under the table and grinded his teeth. He stood up and left, not looking back. Paul now had Ash sitting on his lap, and rubbing his back in soothing motions. "It's okay, Ash. He's gone." Ash gave a weak nod.

Sorry, it took so long. My mind went completely for like a week, and when I did it was very hard to find. Oh, and the flashback of Misty, Richie, and Brock are real. Which means, its exactly what they say in the real episodes of Pokémon. (And if you don't believe me, look for yourself at ) Please review, and I promise there will be more of Ash and Paul in the next chapter.

Me: Thanx to PorcelainDollxx for thinking my story is interesting. And to Won-Chan108 for always reviewing on my work.

Ash: Yeah, thanx because if it wasn't for you, she'd just have deleted the story already.

Paul: Oh and Amaimon25 has also decided on the last names to be the characters Japanese names.

Me: Oh yeah, forgot about that.

Ash: Yeah, like always you forget things. -_-

Me: Hey, at least I didn't have amnesia like somebody I know...

Ash: Gasp! How could you be so rude?!

Paul: Yeah, what kind of person are you?

Me: I'm the person who can end you, remember?

Ash and Paul: (Silence)

Me: Yeah, I thought so. Kay guys, see ya in the next chapter, bye!

Ash: Bye Bye!

Paul: Later...