Chapter 31
In Cerise Lab, Goh and Chloe have been conversing about Ash's whereabouts, they try to ask Valerie about his whereabouts, but she refuses to tell them because of her promise to Ash's parents, they are forced to leave the store, trying to get to the fact that Ash is not going to forgive all of them.
Goh says, "Still thinking about Ash, aren't you?"
Chloe nods and says, "Yeah...we know how much he has helped us and the lab, without him, we wouldn't be able to come this far..."
Professor Cerise walks into the room and says, "I know you are worried about Ash. how about we change the mood? I heard that Reukra and Namie have a revival and I just called them for the Pokemon styling."
"Pokemon Styling, huh? It is true that some of the Pokemon in the lab really need a good makeover." Chloe says. "But how are they going to change our mood?"
"The reason they haven't been styling for 17 years is because of their sponsor being killed. Ash is the one that sponsors them to get back to their business, that's why you can try to ask him about something related to Ash." Cerise says.
This causes Goh and Chloe to be a little delighted since they might have a chance to meet Ash if they manage to succeed.
At Sevestar Island, Rosa asks, "Why are you agreeing to style your former friends' Pokemon?"
Ash sighs, "A job is still a job. I just hope that we can make it quick."
Alice says, "Besides, we are in our disguise, so they won't know it is us."
Once Ash, Alice, and Rosa go to the Kanto Region, Ash frowns as he can't believe that he is back at the Cerise Laboratory, the place he spent a year trying to gather information and becoming the World Champion, and now his heart is scarred and he has a lot of worries.
Once they get to the Professor's Lab, they go greet Professor Cerise. The said Professor shakes their hands and says, "Hello, Reukra, Namie. It is great to see you two back in business, but you don't seem to age a bit."
Alice says, "Of course, Professor. Since we are stylists, we have some ways to make ourselves look young. But anyway, I want to introduce our student Rosa."
Rosa says, "It is glad to meet you in person. I heard from Professor Juniper a lot about you."
"So you must be from the Unova Region, that is good to know." Cerise says while they shake hands. Then he takes them to the yard, where they also meet Goh and Chloe.
"This is my daughter Chloe and my assistant, Goh. They have been helping me take care of the Pokemon in the lab."
"It is nice to meet all of you." Ash says as they start to take out the tools from their backpack. Cerise says, "You know, it is good to see you back in business again, not to mention you also have a new student."
"Yeah, we found a new sponsor to sponsor us and we are able to be back o business." Alice says, "So where are the Pokemon that you want us to style?"
Ash knows that Alice is trying to have this done as soon as possible, but by looking at the Pokemon, he sighs as he knows all of them were caught by Goh when they were doing missions together.
Namie sees a lot of Pokemon and she says, "You really do have a variety of Pokemon, but some of them are kinda messy...I guess they are the ones that we are going to style?"
"Indeed." Cerise says.
As they are styling Pokemon, Chloe decides to approach Ash, who is styling Yamper's fur. She asks, "Is it true that Ash Ketchum was the one sponsoring you?"
"You're right, young lady. Our first sponsor is actually his father, who was killed by Team Rocket before he can get a happy wedding with his mother." Ash says. He doesn't know why, he can't really bring himself to hate his friends.
"I suppose that Ash has promised you to keep a secret, right? Do you think you can give us some hints as to where Ash is?" Chloe asks.
"The world has badmouthed him 2 years ago, he is still in his hiding place." Ash says. "Nobody is supposed to know where he and his students are located."
"I see...can you tell us what Ash is planning right now?" Chloe asks.
"From what I've heard, he has been training some people to make them the strongest trainer of the specific type. Like Rosa here, he tries to train her to be one of the best Dark-type trainers in the world." Ash says.
"So that was why he would bring students to the Alola Region for Z Crystals..." Chloe nods.
As for Goh, he is talking to Rosa about Ash, and she says, "The last time I trained under Ash is back in Alola, where he helps me get a Darkium Z from the Ula'ula Kahuna Nanu, as well as get my brother a Normalium Z with the help of Ilima."
"I see..." Goh sighs.
"You're Goh, right? According to Professor Cerise, all of the Pokemon are captured by you, right?" Rosa asks.
"Yeah...I captured all of them when I was traveling around the regions with Ash." Goh says. "My goal was to capture Mew, and thanks to Ash, I was able to see one..."
"But you didn't catch it, right?" Rosa asks.
"Yeah..." Goh frowns.
Once they finish styling Pokemon, Professor Cerise has given them the payment as they are leaving the lab. But Chloe and Goh still have a lot of questions regarding Ash, so they decide to sneak behind them to see if they can bring them to Ash.
On Route 1, Ash, Rosa, and Alice are walking as Ash says, "I am glad that it is done."
Rosa says, "But from what we heard, it seems like both Goh and Chloe really regret what they did. Are you going to forgive them?"
Ash frowns and says, "I know...but what she said really hurt me, I might forgive them in the future, but I am not ready yet."
Alice sighs, just then, they see a battle between a flock of Pidgeot and a flock of Fearow, each Pokemon fighting fiercely as the trio can only watch in surprise.
"They are still fighting?" Ash can't believe his eyes. "I mean, it was 10 years..."
Alice says, "It is really common to see the two flocks fighting against each other."
Just then, a Fearow notices Ash and he growls, "You again! This time you're not getting away..."
Alice asks, "Hey, Ash... you knew this Fearow?"
Ash says, "I know... I accidentally attacked him on the first day of my journey. And he's probably here for revenge. Pidgeot! I choose you!"
After sending another bird, the two birds are fighting. Rosa asks, "Should we join in the fight?"
"We might as well." Ash says as he takes the Sword, it uses Hyper Voice to deal damage to Fearow.
Fearow growls as they are playing dirty by outnumbering him, but he isn't scared as he tries to give him a Drill Peck, but Ash dodges the attack and then takes out the Gloves, firing Focus Blast and he knocks the Pokemon down to the ground.
Pidgeot says, "Ash, leave the rest to me."
"Okay, but try this." Ash throws the Pidgeotite to her, much to her surprise, but then she nods as Ash presses the Key Stone on his glove. "Mega Evolve!"
As Pidgeot changes her form, it lands the Hurricane on Fearow and the rest of his goons. The Spearows are flying away from the Route as fast as possible, but Ash manages to capture the Fearow in the end.
"So we've captured the Fearow, now what?" Ash asks.
The Pidgeots recognize Ash's old friend, and they decide to share a greeting before Pidgeot returns back to the Pokeball. Alice says, "Well, we can try opening the heart of the Fearow..."
"Maybe..." Ash says. "It's also a good thing that Pikachu is not here. He is supposed to watch if there are new Pokemon from the GTS Station."
Rosa says, "You're right about that. Let's go, Ash, Alice."
"So you really are Ash this whole time!" Ash, Alice, and Rosa flinch as they notice Goh and Chloe standing in front of them. Rosa covers her mouth, realizing that she might be the one who spoiled the disguise. Chloe says, "You are not Reukra, right? You are Ash! I can't believe we didn't see through your disguise!"
"And you shouldn't see through it." Ash says while folding his arms. "I already cut ties with you guys 2 years ago, so why are you still trying to find me?"
"You know very well! We didn't mean to cut ties with you! Team Rocket was the one who controlled us!" Goh says.
"Team Rocket controlled you? What an excuse." Ash says. "Without me, you will be able to catch Mew. That's what you said to me, do you think Team Rocket knows about your little dream of capturing Mew?"
"I..." Goh hesitates a little, and Chloe says while tears are about to fall from her eyes, "But Ash...why can't we be like what we used to be before? Don't you remember how happy we were back then?"
"Of course, I do not forget about those happy times." Ash says, "You don't get it, do you? I have been trying to approach you guys because of those happy times, but I can't."
"Why can't you?" Goh asks. "What is blocking you from doing so? Tell us!"
Alice decides to step in front of Ash, and also drops her disguise, "Just stop this already! Ash isn't ready to face you guys again, so please just let him be!"
"Who are you?" Chloe asks. "Are you also one of Ash's students?" Chloe asks.
Ash says, "If you want to know, she is Alice Urup: My wife."
Goh and Chloe are shocked to learn Ash, the dense head, is already married. Alice says, "If you want some answers, Ash and I have been dating for a year before we confessed. Although it is just a paper marriage, we're still planning for a real wedding. I was the one who helped him destroy Team Rocket, I vowed to save Ash from the darkness inside his heart. Ash can't forgive you guys because you didn't suffer the same way as Ash. You don't know how painful he is during these days.
"Then tell us! Tell us what is wrong and we can try to help as well!" Chloe yells, but Ash says, "I think you guys know too much."
Just then, Ash takes out the Psychic Ring, and then Goh and Chloe blink a little, Goh asks, "Ash, what did you do to us?"
"Letting you forget something that might be our top secret. And what Alice said is true, you don't know how painful I am. I'll give you a chance if you can find out what causes me to suffer, then I'll give you a chance to redeem yourself."
Goh and Chloe frown as they see Ash, Alice, and Rosa leave. Rosa asks, "So what memory did you wipe out from them?"
"They won't know that Alice and I are Reukra and Namie." Ash says. "I don't mind if they know I have a girlfriend. That reminds me, they will be leaking this information to others, how about I just declare to the whole world about you being my girlfriend?"
Alice sighs and says, "I don't know if this is a good idea..."
Here is a new chapter, and as you can see, Goh and Chloe have been trying to learn about what Ash is going on these years, and I hope you like this chapter.