Poke-genetics: hometown
Its usual glow had faded a lot. Professor Oak approached the pokeball, trying to determine whether or not the pokemon inside was in a suitable condition to be called out.
His natural curiosity had tortured him as soon as he received news of the pokeball that had arrived. Usually, a healing pokeball was not a big deal, they were easy to acquire and were useful during long travels to make sure your pokemon were in good shape. The difference here was that this pokeball had been registered under Ash's name. He was without news of Ash ever since Team Blast had gotten so active.
Why would Ash send back a pokemon he had just caught with a healing pokeball to him? …Especially after the same thing happened to all his pokemon other than Pikachu.
The healing pokeball's light dimmed and the item stopped glowing altogether.
Falling for the temptation, Oak took the item and opened it.
The usual ray of light blinded him for a second while the pokemon inside it was released.
A tired voice made it to Oak's ears.
«Pika pikachu? »
Wow! The headache!
«Where am I? »
Ash's world was as stable and still as a hyperactive Pachirisu. His eyes only showed him a blurry vision of some place looking like a lab and a man wearing a white smock.
His blood boiling, Ash didn't lose time and jumped on his enemy while yelling aggressively.
«YOUUUUU! »
He released his thunderbolt attack, hoping to knock that horrible man unconscious and be done with the operation!
Having succeeded, he turned around, his vision still unclear, to try to speak with Genno.
«Let's hurry and… huh? »
He finally noticed. His senses were telling him this was not the same room he was in five minutes ago. The place had the distinctive scent of a sterilized environment, but it didn't actually give an unwelcoming feeling. It reminded him of his childhood for some reason.
Little by little, his sight cleared and he could make out more than just the shapes of his environment.
«Wait a minute… this is not Team Blast's headquarter at all! » he suddenly realized.
The body behind him flashed before his eyes.
«Oh Mew! I hope that person is alright. » he wished.
Ash turned around and his jaw dropped.
«Professor Oak! »
He had just attacked Professor Oak!
Okay, okay, okay. He had to find someone that could heal him or at the very least examine him!
« …THERE IS NO HOSPITAL IN PALLET TOWN! » he yelled in a freak-out. «Oh Mew, what should I do? »
He began running around the lab, hoping to find one of Oak's assistant. His nose was telling him there was someone else in the lab, maybe in the next room.
It could be that he was too panicked to notice in time, but he was lifted by someone in the middle of his running.
«Woah, calm down, little buddy! » a teenager about his age said.
He knew that voice. He struggled just enough to actually get a look at the one holding him.
He gasped.
«Gary! »
«Are you okay? Why were you running like that? » Ash's oldest rival asked.
«Gary, it was an accident, but I shocked your grandpa! »
Not understanding the agitated pokemon, Gary loosened his grip a little and the pikachu jumped on the opportunity to break free. Seeing as Gary was just standing and observing him, Ash made a hand sign to urge Gary to follow him.
Intrigued by the weird pokemon's behavior, Gary didn't ask questions and went after it.
When he saw his grandfather lying on the ground, Gary immediately reacted.
«Grandpa! » he shouted as he approached to examine him.
Luckily, the old man was only lightly shocked and woke up with a moan of pain. Even if he was healed, Ash was not at full power, nor were his attacks.
«Grandpa! Are you alright? »
«Ohhh, my head. » the professor complained.
«What happened? Was it Team Blast? » Gary questioned.
«Oh no, nothing that serious. It's just this pikachu here. I guess it was still confuse and, considering his injuries, was in a mortal situation before. When I took it out of its pokeball, it attacked me. Luckily for me, a healing pokeball doesn't restore energy, only health. It is still pretty weak, even if his life is no longer in danger. »
Ash tried to make himself as tiny as possible under Gary's dark glare. He didn't even understand what had happened. Why was he in Oak's lab in the first place? He was in Marco Blaze's office less than ten minutes ago. How did he manage to end up here? Did Genno use teleport again? But… he was still human when he last saw him. That made no sense.
«Whose pokemon is it anyway? »
«Gary, this pokemon was registered under Ash's name. »
«Ash… » Gary whispered.
Wow, that took him back ages ago, when they were still kids and rivals.
«I miss that idiot… Don't ever tell him that, gramps. » he quickly added.
«My lips are sealed. » the old professor assured.
«Huh? Why are you looking at me like that, little buddy? » Gary said as he saw the smug look on Ash's face.
«No reason… except the fact that I so wish to see your face when I'll get to tell you who I am. »
Gary stared at the pokemon. He had the feeling it was secretly laughing at him, but he couldn't tell why. There was something in those eyes that was arousing his suspicion.
«Gary, we should take him to Delia. Here, bring his pokeball with you and show him to Delia. Maybe… this'll be enough of a sign to reassure her. »
As Gary simply nodded, Ash was stuck on a part of professor Oak's dialogue: «Bring his pokeball with you».
Memories flashed before his eyes: him jumping at Jonathan, the man aiming at him, a cold sensation in his gut, a warm liquid wetting his fur, a small hit on the middle of his back and… nothing.
What happened after that? Was Genno alright? Did they succeed? That hit… had been a pokeball, hadn't it?
The revelation cut his legs. He had been caught. The pokeball had been sent back because Genno was the one holding it. That was the only reason he was here. This also meant one thing: he was stuck as a pikachu forever.
Strangely, he was calm inside. There was no maelstrom of emotion in him, just a peaceful acceptance.
For he had already chosen that.
«Ash, it all comes down to this. If you are given the choice, will you change back? » were Misty's words.
For a moment, he had been lost. Not knowing what to say. He loved her, he really, really did… but Alex needed him more than her and he could never leave him behind. Genno had made things clear from the beginning: Alex could not become human. It was just impossible. Even if he could have been changed like him, Ash was not able to selfishly change his son forever for his own convenience.
His answer had been crystal clear.
«No. »
Misty had just looked at him and a few tears had pearled up in her eyes. She had been calm, prepared for the worst. The news had not really surprised her. She had worked that out.
Maybe it was her acceptance, maybe it was just his feeling of loss, but he had been furious. He knew it was better this way, but it still hurt! Suddenly, calmly waiting for the conflict to be resolved by others had been unbearable.
And he had selfishly left Alex to Pikachu, regardless of his own previous promises.
Was he paying the price now? Maybe.
Seeing as the pikachu was no longer moving, Gary carried him out of the lab and toward Ash's house. He could feel the intensive reflexing the pokemon was doing.
Halfway through, Ash got out of his lethargic state. He had to get a grip on himself! With one good movement, he jumped out of Gary's arm and landed on the road.
«Thanks Gary, but I'm going to walk on my own from now on. »
The interrogative air on his old rival's face brought a grin on Ash's.
«Hey, I was just going to say that I really owned you in our last battle. Don't hesitate to stop me if you think I'm wrong. » he said maliciously.
Oblivious, Gary just looked at the strange pikachu walking at his sides, who was sometimes chuckling after an obscure «pika pi pikachu».
As time passed, Ash could barely keep his hilarity under control. Man, this was so childishly fun! He got to mock Gary in his face while all he did was nod with a perplex expression.
A kind nostalgia soon rose under his furry skin. His hometown, he was in his hometown. It was here that he lived for most of life. It had been so long since he was here. Even Team Blast couldn't alter the feeling his home gave. He had so many warm memories of this place. He had to show Alex the place his father had lived his childhood in.
Ash's home appeared in sight. As he looked at the house he grew up in, Ash felt his heart beat harder.
Gary knocked politely at the door. From behind it, a voice Ash loved came softly.
«Yes? »
«It's me, Gary. »
The door opened and Delia Ketchum appeared in the doorstep.
«Is there something you need? » she asked gently.
«Oh, nothing of the sort. » he said as he shrugged the back of his head. «It's just that gramps wanted me to bring this pokemon to you. »
Her eyes fell on Ash, who couldn't help but whisper:
«Mom…»
«What a cute pikachu! » she exclaimed in her usual cheerful style.
The change of tone shook Gary a little, but he continued nonetheless.
«My grandfather said this is one of Ash's pokemon. It was captured recently and it was sent to the lab. He wanted you to… take care of it I think. »
At the mention of her son's name, Delia lost her smile.
«I see… » she whispered with a wavering voice. «I will take it then. »
Seeing her sadness, Gary tried to comfort her, but Delia stopped him with a single hand.
«Please, leave me alone for now. »
«Delia…»
He didn't know how to react. Delia was clearly suffering, but she refused any support. What was he supposed to do?
«Just… remember. Gramps and I are here and we will be there for you if you ever wish it. »
Delia stroked his hair in a maternal manner, a soft smile on her face.
«Thank you, Gary. »
All this time, Ash had been silent in horror. Who was that? This was not his mom! He didn't even remember ever seeing her sad or depressed! His mom was the always cheerful kind of housewife woman, not this heartbroken person.
Tears appeared in his eyes. He could not stand seeing her like that. It all happened when Gary mentioned him… was she worried? Of course she was! He was so stupid. Why didn't he call her more often? He had the means to do it! He had been so caught up with raising Alex and planning with Genno and Pikachu that he… forgot…
When Gary left, Delia asked him to follow her into the house.
Everything was the same, except bigger. It was as if he had never left this place.
Delia led him into the living room, where she sat on the couch. With a single tap on her knees, she invited him and he hopped on.
From this close, her scent was invading his senses. It reminded him of some flowers growing in grassy fields on the neighboring hills. Her touch was very gentle as she stroked the fur of his back, calming the torment he was bearing.
Ash stayed on her lap, enjoying the purity of this moment. Once more, he was just a child being comforted by his mother. It lifted a burden he was bearing ever since he learned of his new father's status. The responsibilities were pushed on his shoulder too early. He was still a teen and he didn't want to be burdened by so many things.
There was tenderness in Delia's eyes now. This pokemon looked so tormented, but peace was slowly returning to it. What had happened to make it so sad? Was it related to its capture? Or to the reason it was sent back?
Without failing, that led her to ask herself if her son was alright. She couldn't help it. Team Blast was far from going soft and he had confessed that he was trying to do something against them.
In a whisper, she said:
«Are you okay, Ash? »
It was as if something snapped inside of Ash. What kind of son was he? How could he stand being comforted while his mother was equally sad? Especially when it would be so simple to make her feel better!
He jumped off of her and ran through the house.
«Wait, pikachu! » Delia asked as she ran after it.
As she chased it, Delia had a premonition. Things were going to change.
She saw the pokemon ran upstairs and she tried to keep up with it, with little success.
When she got to the second floor, it was nowhere to be seen. She slowly advanced in the middle of the corridor, her feeling persisting. On her left, she perceived a small ticking noise. It came from the computer room.
She entered, unsure about whatever she might find.
Delia Ketchum saw the pokemon typing with mild difficulties. However, what really got her attention were the few words written to her:
«Mom, it's me, Ash. »
Her legs became weak and she caught the corner of the doorframe to support her.
What?
The pikachu looked at her, its eyes screaming to her: «Believe me! ».
Its eyes… they were the same as Ash's. The fur on its head bore a striking resemblance with her son's haircut… Deep inside, she felt a link to that pokemon.
It had to be the truth.
She approached the pikachu, which had a mad hope she would trust it.
Ash closed his eyes when she stopped a few steps away from him. There had been a surge of doubts in her, he saw it. He waited in the dark, alone, rejected.
A pair of soft hands grabbed each sides of his torso and lifted him. The warmth of his mother's embrace brought tears to his eyes.
«Oh Ash… » she tenderly said to his ears alone. «I've been so worried about you. »
He returned her hug, with all the strength his small pikachu arms could muster.
After a long moment of pure love, they broke from their mutual embrace, looking at each other. They had so many things to say. The most blatant was the one thing that Delia already knew.
«What happened? Team Blast did this to you, didn't they? »
«Yes. »
«When? »
«Before this all started. I met someone named Genno, which is now a good friend. He asked for my help to get to his house... »
And he related the whole story, without omitting any detail he could remember. He told her everything: Genno's story, their meeting, the incident in the lab, Stan, Janes, the infiltration, their battle against Team Blast, Jonathan Avery, Alexchu, which cut her breath, their latest battle…
When he was done, his mother was holding him tightly against her.
«Ash… you've been through so much… I should have been there for you… »
«No! It's not like that! I chose that when I was changed. »
«Why didn't you ask Genno to tell me when he called? »
Ash looked down.
«I… didn't want to see you hurting. I thought it would be in your best interest not to know… if things could still change. But… I can't stand to see you suffer because of my choices. »
When she read that, Delia began to cry.
«Mom? »
She didn't answer. Delia was letting her tears flow, struck by the cruel irony. It took her a long time to calm down, during which Ash felt helpless. He didn't understand. Why was she so sad now?
When her voice returned, it was a shaken and fragile one.
«Ash… I'm such a bad mother. »
«What? NO! »
«You know what to do better than me. I've face a dilemma similar to yours for years, but I've never had the strength you have. »
«What are you talking about? »
She stayed silent for a second, as if wondering if she could just pretend to have said nothing. Fortunately, she was not this weak.
«I'm talking about your father. »
Ash's breathing stopped. His father?
«I've lied to you. »
He felt the weight of this revelation press on his chest.
«He… is not a pokemon master. »
Ash was completely silent. This was something he based his whole life on and it was a LIE!
«Who… is he? » he managed to type.
Delia looked at the shaking paws of her son and she had to bottle her sadness. She had to tell him.
«Please, let me explain… »
Receiving no answer, she continued.
«I met your father when I was in university. At the time, we were both naïve young persons with ambitious dreams. »
A small smile found its way onto her lips.
« I can still see his sparkling eyes when he was talking about pokemon breeding. It was one of his ambitions, to own a ranch full of pokemon he could raise and live with. He had this strange aura of nobility around him whenever he was giving his all. I remember him talking to me with blazing passion, complimenting me on my beauty or my intelligence… sometimes clumsily. Whenever I tried to return his compliment with subtle comments, he didn't always understand. Sometimes, he could be really dense. »
She managed to hold her laugher quite well.
«He was not the most romantic guy around, but I could feel how pure his feelings for me were. Slowly, I developed feelings for him as well and our relationship became official. »
Delia paused a second, looking for words.
«We moved here, in this house, together. As he was trying to start up his ranch, I applied to work with Professor Oak. »
Ash was taken aback. He never knew his mother had worked as a scientist.
«Things were like a fairytale… especially when I knew I was pregnant with you. Your father and I were so excited. Our dreams were all happening one after the other. When you were born, I think I've never experienced such joy. Your father, you and I were what I like to think of as a perfect family. For some time, we fantasized on the future, persuaded it was filled with happiness. Things looked bright… »
Delia made a weird noise, somewhat sounding like a disgusted grunt.
«We were so naïve. When you were two, everything started to go downhill. A recessionary period destroyed Kanto's economy. Professor Oak could no longer pay me, his family knowing financial issues themselves, and I lost my job. Your father had to sell every single pokemon he had caught up to then, except his very first pokemon, to make up for our losses. We tried to look for new jobs, but we were not the only ones and we couldn't find any. Desperate, your father decided to look for a job elsewhere, promising to send all the money he'd earned to us when he did. »
Ash stayed silent. He had heard of the recessionary period in school once, but he would never have imagined that it had something to do with his father's absence. He wondered for a second. What would his life had been if it had not happened. Would he have grown up in a pokemon ranch, under his father's care and his scientific mother's loving eyes? Something ached in his chest. He was envious of this different him.
«Ash… for a month or so, I had no news of him. If things went on any longer, I would have sold the house and moved somewhere else with you. However, I received a letter from your father. It explained that he had found a job and sent as much money as he could. He could no longer come back, but he would still send the money for us. Every month for the following years, there was one of his letters in our mailbox. »
An obscure memory came back to his mind. Once, he had looked in the mailbox when he was small and his mother had been extremely nervous. She had made him promise not to look at things there, since they were for her alone. He had not really understood why, but he promised nevertheless.
«As you grew up, you frequently asked where your father was. I was terrified when you did. I knew it was lonely for you, but there was something that held me back every time. I… I thought it would be better to tell you he was away than the truth. »
«Why? Why did you hide all that from me? » Ash wrote, furious.
«At first, I thought you were not ready, that you needed a better role model… but when I saw you compete in the league for the first time, I realized how strong you were. At that time, I decided you had to know… but… when I went to your room… I heard you talk about those people that kept trying to steal your pokemon. »
«Team Rocket? »
«Yes. There was such a deep anger when you talked about them that I… couldn't bring myself to do it. »
Ash gasped. Did this mean…?
«Ash. For years, your father was a member of Team Rocket. »
He couldn't breathe. That was… no… NO!
«Every time you came back from a different region, stronger each time, I thought I should told you, but there was always a time where you would mention how you hate Team Rocket for going after you. »
Ash suddenly remembered that Team rocket was no more, except for a few members in hiding.
«What happened to him? Did you have any news of him recently? Was he arrested after the downfall of Team Rocket? »
«No… he was not. In fact, he's not part of Team Rocket anymore. »
«Huh? »
«When you were in Sinnoh, I received a strange message from him. He asked if you were back in Kanto. He wanted to make sure you would be away from the conflicts that were coming. He explained that he discovered one of Giovanni's plan. It threatened to annihilate Pallet Town and later the rest of the region. Giovanni would stop at nothing to obtain some sort of ancient artifact hidden here. Your father explained that he left Team Rocket as soon as he had learned that and that he would do everything in his power to stop them. »
«Well, Team Blast took care of that for him… »
«Ash… have you seen that Pallet Town was no even a bit affected by Team Blast? »
He did. Everything was the way he remembered.
«No children were kidnapped from here, no pokemon were harmed by pokeblocks, there is no Team Blast member trying to control the town. They left us alone. »
«Really? That's weird. Why? »
«Ash… your father left Team Rocket to destroy them. To do that, he needed something of equal or greater power. The police having failed, he settled for creating the greatest criminal organization Kanto has ever seen. »
A heavy rock fell in Ash's stomach. No. That was impossible! It was a lie!
«Every single deed committed by Team Blast before Jonathan Avery took over was done to protect us, Ash. Your father is Marco Blaze. »
The world froze in place.
His father… was Marco Blaze…
HIS FATHER WAS MARCO BLAZE?
No freaking way! He would not believe that!
Overwhelm by the anger and the confusion, Ash left the room, running.
When she heard the door of Ash's room closed, Delia hid her face behind her hands. It was her fault! If only she had mastered the strength to do it earlier…
She heard the doorbell ring.
«Huh? » she exclaimed, taken by surprise.
Without thinking, she went downstairs. Who could it be? Gary had come not too long ago, so it probably wasn't him or his grandfather…
She opened the door and looked at the person that was standing in front of her.
Unable to understand, she stood there, gaping in shock.
A human Ash was standing in front of her.
«Hi mom, I'm back! »