The reunion between mother and son was still deeply touching and heartrending despite the son having no memory of the mother. After releasing much sadness and anger within ten minutes of hugging her lost child, Delia had calmed down enough to hear out Ash's situation on what had happened to him so far. Fortunately for them, Anabel was around to speak on his behalf, sharing that she found him and Pikachu yesterday in Tohjo Falls and how they had turned out with no memory.
Situated in the living room of the Ketchum residence, Delia listened intently to Anabel's story, as well as her thoughts about this phenomenon.
"… And here we are, Mrs. Ketchum," Anabel concluded. "I'm sorry that he can't remember you right now."
"It's disheartening to find out, to be honest," Delia sighed graciously. "I guess it was too good to be true that Ash came back into my life since his disappearance in the Kalos region. But it really did mean a lot to me to visit me in my time of need."
"I'm the one who needs to say sorry," Ash intervened. "I can't imagine that it must be super hard that your own son can't even remember his mother. I probably can't even call myself your son."
"No," Delia responded, shaking her head softly. "I will admit that I was upset that you didn't recognize me. I saw it in your eyes. But no matter what happens, you will always be my child. I know that you're my son. A mother just knows these things."
"… Oh."
Ash looked down as feelings of guilt surged up in his stomach. He was sure he deserved all that scolding beforehand, but this woman certainly didn't deserve having her own flesh-and-blood forget about her completely. She was so kind and hospitable, understanding and selfless as a mother would be toward her children. For him to not remember her at all would be considered a heinous act of insufferable ingratitude.
"Ash…"
Anabel reached out her hand and placed it upon the young boy's own hands, stirring the pensive amnesiac out of his dark thoughts. She was worried. She knew what he was thinking and gave a smile of reprieve.
"I'll make this right somehow," Ash mumbled, standing up with a resolute expression before looking at Delia. "I promise that the first memory that returns to me will be about you. By then, I can truly call you 'Mom'."
Delia placed a hand upon her chest, allowing additional tears to fall and pass the joyful smile her face now bore. She then got to her feet and embraced Ash once more.
"You've already made things right," Delia whispered into his ear. "Even with your memory gone, you're still the heroic, brave, thoughtful young man I raised you to become. You still know how to charm girls, that's for sure." Ash couldn't help but mildly blush from that last comment. Was it just a motherly comment, or was he really capable of getting girls to fall for him? "I wish I can do more for you, but I know you and Anabel have to go see Professor Oak."
"We'll also be heading for Kalos by tomorrow," Anabel announced, getting ready to leave. "I managed to book a couple of plane tickets for the morning slot. It'll be a few hours and we're estimated to arrive there sometime after noon."
"Then please stay for the night!" Delia immediately suggested, her eyes and outer aura radiating delightfully. "I'll cook up a wonderful dinner with Ash's favorites to celebrate his return! And you two should be able to rest well here for tomorrow's trip."
"That'd be wonderful," Anabel agreed with a humble bow.
"Now, now, no need to be so formal, Anabel dear," Delia remarked. "Now that I've gotten my son back, I have no problem taking in a daughter as sweet and beautiful as you."
"A… d-daughter?" Anabel repeated, feeling heating welling up in her face from the immediate implications of the idea. "M-M-Me?!"
"Hey, Anabel," Ash interrupted, tugging on her arm as Pikachu jumped on his shoulder. "Are we going to see this Professor Moak or what?"
"E-Eh? Right! Let's go!"
Grabbing Ash's arm back, Anabel quickly led him out as Delia waved to them good-bye until dinner time. Recovering from the fact that Mrs. Ketchum really liked her despite meeting her for the first time, Anabel focused her mind back to their main objective in getting help from Professor Oak. She wasn't sure how much help the old Pokémon Researcher would be at this time, but she knew that Ash kept his other Pokémon in the lab.
If anything, he could at least snag a few of his strong veteran Pokémon back to aid in their trip to the Kalos region.
In a few minutes, they found and climbed the large hill that housed Professor Oak's famous laboratory. Anabel felt a bit nervous as this was her first time visiting the great Pokémon Professor himself. Ash and Pikachu continued looking about in amazement over the peaceful scenery.
"I definitely would love living in a town like this," Ash commented. "It's so nice and easygoing aside from the people that think I'm masquerading as a dead person."
"Which you weren't," Anabel added rather brusquely before shaking off her nerves. "… Sorry, but knowing you, I imagine Professor Oak and his lab assistants must know you closely, so I'm worried about how they'll react upon seeing your face."
"We'll never know unless we knock," Ash indicated casually.
"I'm actually jealous, Ash," Anabel replied with an amiable smile. "How do you take stressful things in stride?"
"I don't really have anything to lose at this point, so there's no reason to worry so much," Ash answered.
"Fair enough," Anabel accepted.
The Salon Maiden gave the front door a few sufficiently strong taps before backing off and standing side by side with Ash. A minute had passed since the last knock and there was no response. Ash and Anabel looked at the door in confusion before sharing glances.
"Maybe no one's home?" Ash offered.
"I want to knock the door again, but I think there might be some activity going on in the back," Anabel suggested. "I can hear the voices of Pokémon from the corral. There's something definitely going on there."
Sharing mutual nods of agreement, they ran off to the side of the building to cut straight to Professor Oak's Pokémon corral. Just as their presence was gone for good at the front door, the door itself decided to open up and the occupant scanned the area around for the identities of the door knockers.
"Geez, that's the fourth time this week," Gary grumbled as no one was around. "Either people are so impatient they can't wait for a guy to get out of the bathroom or the children these days don't have any respect for other people's property. Man…"
Gary slammed the door close right as Ash and Anabel arrived at the wooden fenced edges of the corral. True to Anabel's intuition, there were various kinds of Pokémon scattered about in doing their own business. Anabel was familiar with Professor Oak's additional occupation in taking care of Pokémon for Trainers from Pallet Town in addition to random wild Pokémon that have taken a liking to his expansive pasture of a backyard.
"I shouldn't be surprised that there's this many Pokémon here, but I can't help but comment how happy the Pokémon seem to be," Anabel said from first observation.
"Anabel, you said I might have Pokémon living here," Ash reminded. "Do you know which ones I own?"
"I honestly don't since I don't know what other Pokémon you would have aside from the ones you battled me with, Pikachu being one of them," Anabel confessed. "I've watched your past battles on TV, but I haven't had the chance to commit them to memory since I've been busy with my duties. The other two Pokémon I remember you having from our battle were Corphish and Tauros."
"So… is that them right there?" Ash inquired, pointing at a Vileplume and a Bulbasaur close by.
"… Not really," Anabel answered, giggling rather sheepishly.
"This is going to be harder than I thought," Ash mumbled with a frown. "If this Professor Oak isn't here, I won't be able to find out which Pokémon are mine, if I really do still have Pokémon."
"What do you mean?"
"It's been five years since I was gone from this world, isn't that what you said?"
"Well, yeah."
"What are the chances that the news of my 'demise' had affected my Pokémon here and made them move on out of here? What else would make them stay if the Trainer is gone?"
This was a very valid and logical point he brought up that Anabel didn't take into foresight. She had been hopeful that his Pokémon would still be living in Professor Oak's lab after all this time, but she forgot that with a Pokémon Trainer's termination, the Pokémon themselves are free to either go back into the wild or stay and remain captive.
A thin steadfast line was formed on her lips. They made it this far already. They couldn't just turn back now because of that possibility. It was from her own determination that Anabel grabbed Ash's hands from the side and held them between themselves.
"If we're trying to quote and imitate each other on what we recently said and done, then here's my answer," Anabel began, firmly locking her lilac eyes upon Ash's brown eyes. "We don't have anything to lose at this point, so there's no reason to worry so much."
Ash blinked a few times before bearing a calm smile upon reflection of his own echoing words from the Salon Maiden's mouth. He pulled a hand away to briefly scratch his nose.
"Boy, I've been really forgetful lately, aren't I?" Ash quipped. "You're right, Anabel. Let's settle this ourselves."
"Glad to hear it," Anabel responded fondly.
Ash and Anabel's next plan was to find which Pokémon in Professor Oak's corral originally belonged to him. Since no one had answered them at the front door and with time running a bit short, they had no choice but to take matters into their own hands. Being a bit of a strict rule-abider, Anabel was hesitant in simply going over the fence and into the corral as it would be considered trespassing into private property.
Unfortunately, while she was still deciding on her morals and priorities, Ash had went ahead and set foot into the privately own corral. Of course, such an impulsive action would wreck equally major consequences as the Pokémon nearby were now alerted to the presence of a trespasser.
"So Pikachu, how do you suppose we find out which Pokémon were mine?" Ash asked the Mouse Pokémon hanging out on his shoulder.
"Pika, Pikapi," Pikachu answered, shrugging as to say he had not a clue either.
"Hmm, maybe the ones that recognize us could check out?"
"Pii-Pikachu."
"Ash, get back here!" Anabel's voice called out to them just as soon as she realized he and Pikachu went in. "You're trespassing!"
"Wait, what?!"
"I forgot to mention that the corral is considered private property!" Anabel continued. "You're going to get in trouble if you stay in there!"
"I guess I'm not the only one being forgetful right now," Ash commented dryly under his breath. "Why did we even come back here?"
"Pika Pikachu, Pikapi!" Pikachu reasoned.
He then heard scrambling sounds coming from behind him. The noises certainly did not sound as friendly as he hoped. The worst possibilities were soon confirmed as he slowly turned around, discovering a group of displeased Grass-type Pokémon leering at him for intruding. Ash held his breath, not wanting to make any sudden movements that would otherwise provoke those Pokémon into attacking him. He didn't come here to fight.
In spite of the hostile looks he was receiving, Ash's eyes fell upon a small blue-green Pokémon that carried a large seed bulb on its back. It appeared to be gazing upon the human boy with a rather stern yet curious look as though it was expecting something out of him. His face, in addition to the Pikachu on his shoulder, was putting pieces of an unknown puzzle in its head.
"Um, hey, guys," Ash began in an attempt to calm them down. "Sorry for walking in on you like this. I'll leave immediately, okay?"
The Pokémon didn't appear convinced. Ash then took backward steps to uphold his aforementioned promise while gesturing the rather protective Pokémon to calm down. A few steps back, though, his right heel stepped upon a smooth rock half buried into the ground. The uneven footing caused Ash to lose balance and stumble on his back.
As he feared, the abrupt movement startled the Pokémon into attacking.
"Ash, no!" Anabel cried out.
The small Pokémon with the bulb became super attentive upon hearing the name the young woman behind the fence referred to human boy as. There was no way it was him, not after all this time. He was supposedly killed near the end of his journey in the Kalos region, as far as it knew, having only earned seven Badges before engaging against the resident villainous team there. But the more it tried to fight off hopeful thoughts, the more clear the evidence was before it that this young boy really was him.
That face…
That Pikachu partner…
His name…
"Bul-Bulbah!" it intervened instantly.
The Grass-type Pokémon froze in place, looking back at it before backing down and ceasing their attack plan on the trespassing boy. They trusted its judgment as it was considered one of the wiser and more mature Pokémon living in the corral. Ash sat up, observing as the Pokémon backed off to the sides. The smaller Pokémon appeared to have been their leader in order to command them to stand down like that.
He watched as the small leader approach him in a cool, dignified manner. The Pokémon continued to look into Ash's eyes. The solid evidence was present. It was more than enough to convince the tough little Pokémon that this boy truly was his missing Trainer. Its movement gradually went into a quicker pace, running towards the boy like there was no tomorrow. Its expression softened, reminding Ash on how the woman he was supposed to call his mother looked when he showed himself to her.
"Are you…?" Ash questioned under his breath as the small, quadrupedal Pokémon leapt towards him in a joyous manner.
Out of reflexes, he caught the Pokémon in his arms. Somehow, this felt completely right. Even without memory of his little one, Ash was sure that it was one of his remaining Pokémon. While he continued to hold onto the little Grass-type Pokémon, he heard two pairs of footsteps come from behind. Ash turned behind to see Anabel, along with a taller man with messy brown hair wearing a large white lab coat.
"Ash, are you alright?" Anabel asked.
"I think I found one of my old Pokémon, Anabel," Ash proclaimed in triumph.
"Of course that Bulbasaur belongs to you, Ashy-boy," the taller man remarked with a frisky smirk. "By the way, welcome back. I never doubted in you, though you definitely have some explaining to do like why you look almost five years younger than me."
"Uh… who are you supposed to be?" Ash inquired bluntly, eliciting a shocked expression from the brown-haired young man. "Professor Oak?"
"I guess I can't really call myself that yet," he quipped, looking at Anabel. "You weren't kidding when you said something major happened to him. I just didn't realize how serious this really is."
For the next moment of time, the three of them went inside the laboratory, where Anabel spoke on Ash's behalf regarding how she found him and what state he and Pikachu were in to Gary. Ash soon learned that Gary was his childhood friend and rival for a short time before he turned to following in his grandfather's footsteps in becoming a Pokémon Researcher.
Gary seemed to have accepted the news of Ash's amnesia fairly well, but still didn't like the situations Ash's supposed death and disappearance had placed his mother and other friends in five years ago. As a matter of fact, within the first year since receiving that dreaded announcement, he visited Delia every day to comfort her and help her out around the house since she had been an absolute wreck. He did this while fighting off his own grief over the loss of a close and respected friend. It just didn't make sense to him that Ash would actually be gone for good, but he kept his mouth in check just so that he wouldn't make things worse for Delia by accident.
The young Pokémon Researcher-in-training also mentioned that Ash's previous traveling companions from Kanto, Hoenn, Sinnoh, and even Unova had stopped by to pay their respects when they heard the news of it. Guilt had once more consumed Ash's spirits from listening to Gary's side of the story.
"I had no idea I affected so many people," Ash muttered. "The worst part is that I can't even think of anyone else right now, so the people I used to travel with… They are a complete mystery to me right now."
"Well, it's beyond your control, that's all I can say on the matter," Gary concluded, folding his arms. "Anyway, are you really serious in wanting to return to Kalos in spite of your current memory loss?"
"We feel it may hold answers on what had happened to Ash and how to possibly fix this," Anabel answered. "I mean, the more I think about it, the more likely he seems to be out of place in our time. He's supposed to look our age, right?"
"I see what you're getting at, Anabel," Gary responded. "If Grandpa and Tracey were here right now and not doing some random errand, I know they would advise him staying here and let his memory recover on its own. But with this kind of phenomena happening, in which he not only doesn't remember us but is also a few years behind us, there must be something powerful in the works that's done this."
"Time travel?" Anabel suggested.
"Time travel gone awry is more like it, but I'm afraid the evidence is still inconclusive for me to make a call," Gary explained. "But knowing Ash, he'd probably just rush in there to get things done right, just like earlier when you both were trespassing on lab property."
"We're really sorry about that," both Ash and Anabel apologized simultaneously.
"If I was in your shoes, I'd probably do the same, so no harm done," Gary said, waving it off. "Besides, you were lucky that Bulbasaur was in that group. Otherwise, things wouldn't have turned out as pretty."
"Well, we came by to see if Ash can carry some Pokémon on him before we leave for Kalos tomorrow," Anabel announced. "Do you think it's still possible?"
"Of course!" Gary exclaimed proudly. "I actually took it upon myself to care for Ash's Pokémon since he supposedly disappeared. None of them actually wanted to go back into the wild, so I made sure they still remained in tip-top shape after all this time. I just need to see your Kalos Pokédex for a moment to check something, Ash."
"It's this thing, right?" Ash spoke up, pulling out the slim red device from one of his pockets before handing it over to Gary.
The young Pokémon Research activated the Pokédex and started to fiddle with the interface for a bit. His expression appeared to be neutral, but for some reason, it felt uncertain and doubtful. After clicking at several more holographic buttons, he closed the Pokédex and handed it back to Ash with a somber look.
"I'm afraid I have some bad news for you, Ash," Gary began solemnly.
"He can't take any of his Pokémon here with him?" Anabel inquired apprehensively.
"No, it's not that, but the thing is he can only take one Pokémon from the lab with him," Gary continued, prompting much confusion on Anabel and Ash's part. "You see, Trainers are allowed up to six Pokémon at a time. According to Ash's current party record, he has a total of five Pokémon on him right now, which includes Pikachu."
"But all of his Poké Balls are empty right now," Anabel argued. "His Pokémon from Kalos somehow got left behind. That's got to count for something."
"I'm sorry, but the system is still not perfect after all this time," Gary muttered regretfully. "Ash can't leave those Poké Balls behind unless the system registers his Pokémon having been officially recalled back into them. It's a failsafe protocol to ensure that Pokémon are not accidentally released from ownership."
"His current Pokémon could probably be anywhere in this world if they decided to leave the Kalos region in a vain attempt to find him," Anabel debated. "How are we supposed to find them?"
"You better hope that they're still in Kalos then because there's nothing more I can do about this situation," Gary responded, clearly getting agitated that this conversation was becoming a hopeless tennis match. "I said I was sorry, but I can't change the system for Ash. For one thing, I don't have that kind of power. And two, even if I did have that power, I would then have to start making exceptions for other Pokémon Trainers, and that's just troublesome. Be grateful he can still take one Pokémon from the lab with him."
Ash noticed the sparking tension between Gary and Anabel. Before it would get out of hand, he stood up from the couch and went between them to break off the potential fight. He then glanced at Gary with a sure look in his eyes.
"Can you show me all my Pokémon?" Ash requested. "I want to see them for myself so that I can properly make the decision."
"Consider it done," Gary replied.
Gary had then led Ash and Anabel to the outside. They noticed that the sun was starting to set. It was almost time for them to head back to Delia to rest for tomorrow. But before they could move onto final preparations for the trip to the Kalos region, Ash needed to reacquaint himself with his Pokémon.
Right as they walked into the corral, they were greeted by Ash's Bulbasaur. Behind him was a large variety of Pokémon that appeared to be facing Ash with eager smiles and relieved countenances. Gary had safely assumed that Bulbasaur had been able to relate the same story to the rest of his Pokémon, and now they were all here, ready and willing to help Ash out however they could.
"You did a great job rounding up everybody, Bulbasaur," Gary praised before facing Ash. "Time for you to take your pick, Ashy-boy."
"Wow, I caught this many Pokémon?" Ash asked in amazement.
"Hmph, compared to when I was still a Trainer, this amount was only a small fraction compared to the amount of Pokémon I've captured," Gary remarked to the side.
"They are all strong and they want to help you get to the bottom of this, Ash," Anabel explained, having read into their outer emotions. "This might be a tough decision."
"I wish I can take them all with me," Ash admitted wistfully. "They all look so amazing and loyal while I'm completely powerless and unable to do a single thing."
It was at that moment that one Pokémon took the initiative and stepped forward to volunteer its services to Ash. Everyone looked upon the direction of a tall green Pokémon with the large tail and bulbous seeds on its back. This Pokémon's most defining trait, however, was the twig it carried in its mouth. It was none other than the Forest Pokémon, Sceptile.
"Scep-Sceptile," Sceptile declared, much to the surprise and resentment of some of the other Pokémon.
"It looks like Sceptile is the first to elect himself to be with you, Ash," Anabel noted. "Though it looks like your Bayleef, Charizard, Gliscor, and Oshawott appear to be against the notion. I can tell they really want to be the ones to help you."
"Let it be first come, first serve," Gary groaned. "We don't have all day. Ash, just pick Sceptile already."
Ash didn't say anything, but continued to watch as his Pokémon continued to converse among each other about something. Anabel and Pikachu paid attention to their feelings, determining that their levels of dedication were equal no matter what any other Pokémon would say. However, Sceptile then shared something that seemed to have struck a chord in Anabel.
"Hey, Ash, listen to this," Anabel advised. "The reason Sceptile volunteered immediately is that he, too, went through a stage in which he was completely useless. This was right after he had evolved from a Grovyle. He couldn't use attacks for a while due to a previous heartbreaking trauma. It wasn't until he witnessed your true dedication in helping him overcome his stumbling blocks that he did manage to push through and regain his powerful strength again. Since then, he has been one of your strongest fighters up to date."
"So Sceptile is able to relate to Ash and wants to return the favor by protecting him and becoming stronger," Gary surmised knowingly.
"Is that true?" Ash asked as he approached his Pokémon.
Sceptile replied with a cool, but gentle smile and nod. The other Pokémon that wanted to fight the Forest Pokémon for the right to be with Ash had soon backed off after the revelation. Even Charizard appeared to have shown some respect to his fellow powerhouse as he gave his own thumbs-up of approval. Ash was dedicated to all of them, based from their memories with him, but Sceptile was currently the only one that can sympathize with Ash on what's happened to him.
"Scehp," Sceptile grunted.
"I guess I've now decided," Ash announced, placing a hand on the Grass-type Pokémon's shoulder. "Sceptile, I choose you."
"I'm glad that's finally settled," Gary remarked. "Let me get Sceptile's Poké Ball so that you guys can go on your way. And Ash, best of luck in getting your memories back in the Kalos region."
Anabel was certainly thankful that things have been going swimmingly for her and Ash this day, from reuniting him with his mother to his own Pokémon. However, she still had her apprehensions that the worst has yet to come. She was sure that something big was waiting for them once they would arrive in the Kalos region. But she wasn't going to let these downer thoughts get to her for the night.
After all, Ash's mother had made a wonderful dinner as part of her celebrating the return of her son. It took one bite of her special cooking to realize how remarkable of a cook she was. Even Ash thoroughly enjoyed the meal he was having as Delia claimed they were his favorites. She was true to her word, just as Ash was true to his word that his first returning memories would be of his mother.
The delicious aroma was strong enough to pull the distant mental pieces together. The power that kept them separate was overcome. It took one bite of her wonderful home cooking to bring the memory of his mother feeding him as a young child this favored dish of his.
"Mom… I remember you now," Ash said, looking her straight in the eye after that one bite with greatest sincerity. "I love you, Mom."
Delia held in her jubilant tears until after dinner. That was all that this mother ever wanted to hear at this time.
End of Chapter!
Ash and Anabel will be in Kalos by the next chapter, which will mark the beginning of Arc One. I'm glad you all were able to bear with the Prologue arc. Anyway, I have my reason for having Sceptile join Ash in Kalos (I'm sure you can infer what I wanted, or hoped to see in the anime at least in some form).
As for you readers guessing what Super Paper Mario elements are being applied to where, I am amused by the answers. But I will say this, that the guesses I've received are still a bit far off. Sure I'm basing this plot off of the game, but I'm doing it in ways that you may not be able to guess right away. That's the beauty of the suspense.
Please review!
L-ater!