The next day came about quicker than expected. With that, Anabel's promise of escorting Ash and Pikachu to Pallet Town was fulfilled accordingly. They left Tohjo Falls early in the morning in order to catch a boat ride to Vermillion City and make it there by noon. Anabel herself was fortunate not to have run into many people out of fear of attracting unwanted attention, either from her position in the Battle Frontier or the fact that Ash was back among the living despite never having actually died in the first place. As a side note, she even dressed in casual clothing to avoid immediate recognition from Trainers.
Anabel had a personal theory during the boat ride to Vermillion City that Ash and Pikachu were somehow misplaced in space and time, explaining how he appeared five years younger than her when they were more or less the same age. But she kept that theory to herself so that she wouldn't freak out her amnesiac friend more than he was right now. At the meantime, Ash and Pikachu enjoyed sightseeing, making it appear as though this was the first time they were traveling through the Kanto region.
Ironic, wasn't it?
But even if they had traveled Kanto ten times over, the great natural scenery Kanto had to offer would never cease to be amazing.
"Attention, passengers!" the voice of the captain rang over the ship intercom system. "We will arrive at Vermillion City within the next ten minutes or so. Gather only your belongings. We will not be held responsible for any item or possession left behind, lost, or stolen. Thank you for traveling with us and we hope you will consider choosing us again for future sea travels!"
"Well, that was fast," Ash commented, leaning on the rails as the ocean air blew through him. "I was really enjoying this boat ride."
"I'm sure we'll have many more where we'll be going," Anabel assured. "Let's wait until the majority of passengers leave first so that there will be few to notice us."
"I still don't understand why we're trying to hide though," Ash mumbled.
"We can't risk causing a scene if someone here recognizes you and thought that you were dead," Anabel explained. "Not unless we want to get to Pallet Town and then Kalos quickly."
"You're right," Ash sighed. "It's just a pain having to go undercover like a ninja or something, especially since there are people everywhere."
"Once we figure out your mystery, you're free to go and do as you please," Anabel offered. Though if I'm right and you're out of place in time, then we need to find a way to return you back to your rightful period.
"That sounds fair," Ash concurred. "Thanks for your help again, Anabel. I would've totally gotten lost with all the sights here and there."
"The Kanto region is really beautiful," Anabel added. "I wonder what the Kalos region would be like."
They were able to hold onto their conversation as the passengers on board were leaving down the ramp in huge groups. Once a sparse amount of people were left walking down the ramp, Anabel took Ash along and quickly made their way down the ramp and onto the Vermillion docks. Vermillion City was not too bustling as a general city, but there were still plenty of people doing this and that around town.
"Do you know which way to Pallet Town?" Ash asked.
"I do, but we're going to have to cheat a bit," Anabel replied, pulling out a Poké Ball. "This definitely beats having to travel all the way there on foot. Come out, my friend!"
Her Poké Ball snapped open and Alakazam emerged out of the bright light. It dutifully looked up to its Trainer while Ash and Pikachu examined this bizarre-looking Pokémon from head to toe.
"Alah-ka," Alakazam murmured.
"I know you've seen them before, but remember that they lost their memories," Anabel explained to Psi Pokémon. "Now I need you to use Teleport to take us to Viridian City. Do you remember where it is and what it looks like?"
Alakazam nodded before closing its eyes and concentrating its telekinetic powers to transport itself, its Trainer, and her guests to their destination in one piece.
"I don't get it," Ash spoke up. "Why not just take us directly to Pallet Town?"
"It's because Alakazam and I never made it out that far," Anabel admitted. "We've gone as far as Viridian City and even Cinnabar Island, but we haven't actually visited Pallet Town. Plus, Alakazam can't teleport long distances with all of us together. If it was just me and Alakazam, then that would be possible. It takes a lot of energy and concentration in transporting more than one body, so this was as close as we can get for Teleport to work the way we wanted it to."
"Wow, I remember that Psychic Pokémon are really strong and all, but I never did get the mechanics behind all of their moves," Ash remarked with a shrug. "I guess better safe than sorry."
"Don't worry, Ash," Anabel reassured right as the Teleport was starting to take effect on their bodies. "Hopefully you and Pikachu will recover some memories when you visit Professor Oak and your old home again."
As there was no one paying any particular attention to them despite being in a public place, Anabel's Alakazam went on to teleport all four of them to Viridian City.
Everyone had made it into Viridian City intact. Their string of good luck was not broken yet. Anabel was good at blending in due to her modest and generally quiet personality, though even with their memories unavailable at the moment, Ash and Pikachu were still rather raucous by nature. It took some patience and plenty of guidance from the Salon Maiden to calm those two down during their trip towards Pallet Town.
There were wild Pokémon out and about in the fields of Route 1. Anabel had recommended to Ash and Pikachu on their battling combinations in the event they would have to engage in a Pokémon battle. Mostly Pidgey and Rattata lived in this area, so regaining the basics in battling wasn't too difficult. Although…
"Pikachu, use Thunderbolt!"
Ash and Pikachu were quick to realize not only how much power Pikachu had from the start, but also how well synchronized they were in issuing out attacks and evasions. Most of the wild Pidgey quickly fled due to their innate weakness to Electric attacks and how powerful this Pikachu turned out to be. The Rattata also wound up following their examples and avoided the two humans with the Pikachu. Needless to say, training only lasted a few minutes due to time being of the essence.
"Somehow, I'm not surprised that you retained your aptitude in battling, Ash," Anabel commented lightheartedly. "It was also smart of you looking up Pikachu's attacks ahead of time, I noticed."
"You told me the Pokédex was capable of telling me what moves my Pokémon can have," Ash replied. "Since I didn't remember any of Pikachu's attacks, I thought it'd be useful to know what they were before you had us train. At least I wouldn't have made myself look like a total fool calling out random attacks that Pikachu may or may not have known."
"Pika Pika," Pikachu agreed.
"I'm impressed either way," Anabel concluded. "I think we can train tomorrow and hopefully I won't feel bad in not holding back."
"I don't expect you to," Ash said, grinning as he looked ahead. "Hey, Anabel, is that Pallet Town ahead?"
True to his inquiry, the small and quaint town below the hills was indeed Pallet Town. Seeing the optimistic expression on her face was all the confirmation Ash needed. Out of excitement, the both of them raced down to reach Pallet Town, eager to continue their current objective as quickly as possible.
The town itself was overall quiet. There were very few townspeople out and most of them were minding their own business. However, as Ash and Anabel were walking down the dirt road towards the center, a few of them had lifted their heads up to see who their latest visitors were.
Apparently, a smaller town would suggest a bigger chance in standing out, especially if one of the visitors happened to live said small town before.
"… Anabel?" Ash spoke up quietly. "We're getting stared at."
"Just play it cool until we find Professor Oak's lab," Anabel whispered back, facing straight ahead in order to avoid direct eye contact from the prying Pallet Town citizens. "They're probably wondering how and why you came back."
"Now I'm worried," Ash admitted a bit more loudly. "What if someone from my family catches me like this? What am I going to do? How will I explain my five year disappearance?!"
Anabel placed a grip on Ash's arm and tugged on it, urging him to calm down. She also pulled him close to her as another reassurance that everything will turn out alright, at least that what she also secretly hoped. She also couldn't help but blush to herself on how close she was with Ash. It was interesting how in a twist of fate that she would see him again. However, this type of reunion was certainly the last thing she would've ever expected.
Lost and confused were not the words she would use to describe Ash. But whatever had happened to him and Pikachu, the Salon Maiden had already taken it upon herself to get to the bottom of this case since they just wound up in her hands. In any case, she was glad to be of help as a result of her secret feelings for the aspiring Pokémon Trainer.
"You! Imposter!" an older man shouted accusingly from his front yard towards Ash, much to his discomfort. "How dare you walk these streets with his visage! Is it your wish to disrespect the fallen?!"
"Honey, please," his wife intervened in an attempt to calm him down. "He's not worth it. It's already been a few years now."
"Dear, do you even remember how devastated Delia was when news of his demise finally came here?" the man reminded intensely. "I couldn't stand to see her like that… And I don't want to see that happen again if she sees this punk in town, giving her false hope that her boy is back from the great beyond."
"So the boy happens to look like him," his wife reasoned. "Delia's finally moved on since the past year. I don't think seeing a doppelganger would affect her that badly. It'd probably make her miss him, but that's about it."
"Did you forget that he was also the 'Pride of Pallet Town'?" the man continued. "He was one of the few Pokémon Trainers from this simple town that ever made it big in the League Conferences. Pallet Town never received such recognition, even with Samuel Oak living here."
While the couple continued to argue, Ash couldn't help but feel guilty about how much disorder and devastation his supposed death had caused in his hometown. This Delia person that angry man spoke of sounded like she probably might've been his mother. Ash was pulled from his thoughts before he could ponder on the subject by a forceful tug on his arm, courtesy of Anabel.
"Don't pay attention to them," Anabel warned. "I know it hurts, but we have an objective to complete. We'll take care of this confusion later."
"I understand," Ash mumbled, quickly looking back at the couple that was still quarreling. "I hope my mom is still okay."
Anabel felt herself involuntarily swallow from her companion's comment. Even though it would probably be a major distraction to do so, she thought about allowing Ash the privilege to visit his mother. She knew that she wouldn't be able to live with herself after this if she didn't give him this reprieve at the very least. His mother probably needed it just as much.
"We'll find her house then," Anabel announced abruptly, looking Ash firmly in the eye despite being a few centimeters shorter than him. "Family is important, and I'm not going to be the one to prevent the closure you two will need right now."
Her slight change in plan was answered with a big hug from Ash. The Salon Maiden felt heat rising up in her face at an alarming fast rate. While Pikachu was also grateful that his Trainer was allowed to see his mother again, he was also quick to note on the girl's reactions and expressions every time they were close or intimate. The Mouse Pokémon bore a sly grin before looking away nonchalantly once Ash released Anabel from the hug.
"I can't thank you enough for this, Anabel," Ash said excitedly. "Let's find the house now!"
Anabel simply smiled and nodded in reply before they continued down the road in the search for Ash's house. Since she was still a bit weary in attempting to ask help from the townspeople due to previous experience, Anabel resorted to asking the Pokémon living around the town for their desired location.
She couldn't be any more grateful for her special talent in communicating with Pokémon at this very moment. There was a Rapidash by another front yard close to a river that knew Ash's family and even used to give the boy rides when he was younger. Despite being just as confused on seeing Ash again after hearing of his demise, the Rapidash was able to give the direction and the appearance of the house.
Within moments, the house was found close to Professor Oak's laboratory. To further confirm their finding, a Mr. Mime in an apron was outside sweeping the path to the house's entrance. It was everything that Rapidish said to Anabel would be.
"This is it, Ash," Anabel spoke. "Do you feel ready to confront your mother?"
In spite of personal fears and his own failing memory, Ash stepped forward with the unchanging resolution he had. He was only a few meters away when the Mr. Mime that was sweeping started to notice someone approaching the residence. The Mime Pokémon appeared to be frozen in place, staring with wide eyes while Ash pressed on undaunted from the look he was receiving.
It was only in a matter of moments that as he approached the gate that Mr. Mime reacted to legitimately seeing his face again, quickly panicking before stepping to the side to let the boy through. Ash looked down to Mr. Mime, who only stared back with a curious look. He was unsure to make out what the Psychic Pokémon was thinking right now. Was it glad to see him? Was it secretly bitter like the older man they ran into before? Ash couldn't worry about what Mr. Mime thought about him now. All that mattered to him now was seeing the woman that was supposed to be his mother. He tightened his fists.
This was the point of no return.
Out of hastiness and nerve, he pushed the door open too hard, inadvertently causing a loud slam to resonate within the interior of the house. Pikachu couldn't help but facepalm over this while Ash bore a sheepish expression.
"Mimey, is there something wrong?" a tender voice called from another room.
Soft footsteps made by slippers were heard, signifying someone's approach to the front door. Ash and Pikachu saw a woman emerge out of the room. She appeared to be in her thirties, though admittedly she was quite a beauty. In contrast to that outer natural beauty, however, the delicate mask she wore that assured her contentment to others couldn't hide the inner lifeless melancholy her brown eyes gave off. Ash was able to read her well enough to get an understanding what had happened to her.
"… Mom?" he tentatively spoke.
Delia looked up from the floor, seeing a face that she couldn't believe would be in front of her after all this time as much as she had longed for it. Ash noticed a bit of the light of life was gradually restoring itself in her eyes. The woman hesitated in taking steps forward, fearful that her despair-wearied mind was now playing tricks on her and that this countenance would disappear for good if she got too close.
The heartbreak had been too much the first time. She wasn't sure if she could handle another. She herself was still surprised that she was still among the living despite losing her only child.
"A-Ash," Delia gasped, taking her next set of steps as quickly as possible in order to reach out to him.
She stumbled onto her knees as she grabbed his shoulders. They were warm and corporeal to the touch. Her breaths were ragged and uneasy as she then pressed the side of her head into his chest, much to Ash's surprise. Though he couldn't really say himself that he can fully recognize her as his mother due to the amnesia, he still felt terrible for the emotional trauma and hardships he had put her through. This was the least he felt he could do, as well as explain the best he could in order to give her closure. Pikachu, Mr. Mime, and Anabel observed in silent anticipation to see Delia's ultimate reactions.
*Beat*
*Beat*
*Beat*
There was a living heartbeat within the body standing before her. It was enough for her to confirm it, so much so that she could not bear wearing her mask any longer. Soft sniffles were heard escaping from Ash's chest. The sobs became louder as Delia lifted her head upon Ash's left shoulder, holding him tight in her arms and unwilling to let go. She didn't care if anyone else was watching her in this broken, piteous state right now, granted that she felt that she has been in this state for the past five years already. All those years, she had to repress her grief and mourn silently so that she wouldn't bother others around her. Now she could finally let her guard down.
All that mattered to her now was that her baby boy was here, alive and back in her arms.
Anabel couldn't help but shed many tears of her own, sloppily wiping them off her cheeks with her hands as she reveled in this long-awaited reunion. Pikachu smiled, happy that it was well despite the potential misgivings they had regarding this scenario. Mr. Mime appeared to be content as well, glad that its owner was finally happy again after all these years.
"Mom, I'm sorry," Ash finally said, glad to finally rectifying his mistakes.
I was originally going to have them skip straight to Professor Oak's lab, but I might as well make it a joyful reunion between mother and son. Too bad I couldn't post this in time with Mother's Day. That would've been so fitting.
Anyway, Professor Oak's lab will be in the next chapter, and that will be the end of the prologue arc. The return to Kalos will probably be at the end of the next chapter / beginning of arc one.
Please review!
L-ater!