Chapter 15: Intensive Love Unit
Ash woke up, finding himself in a room, much different from Fluttershy or Sunset's rooms. He also heard plenty of noises. He had his arm splintered. He now realized he's in the hospital. Nurse Redheart entered to find his eyes opened. "Oh, you're awake," she realized. "I thought you'd be out a little longer than a few hours. Must be adrenaline." Ash was curious to the events at the fair.
"I'm the only one… admitted?" he asked.
"Yup. Everyone escaped injury, less serious. Take a look!" She gave Ash a newspaper with a headline about the fair.
HERO DEFIES KIDNAPPERS, SPIRIT
Ash decided to read the paper. "An evening at the fairgrounds nearly became a disaster area but Raiders of the Lost Ark's star, Ash Ketchum, not only stopped a spirit in control of a teenage girl but also two adults from kidnapping many young children for a questionable reason…" As Ash read the paper with Redheart, Flash, Bulk, Sandalwood and a few other young men waited in the waiting room for word when Trixie came in.
"Flash Sentry!" she called. Flash turned around to see the white-haired.
"Trixie, what's up?" he questioned. Trixie pulled a folded piece of paper from her purse.
"Can you give this to Ash? I'd want to see him as well, but… now's not a good time." Flash opened the paper and skimmed the letter.
"I see. We're gonna miss you for a while." Trixie nodded before exiting the hospital as Sunset, Fluttershy and Pikachu entered.
"That was weird," Sunset noted. "Trixie didn't acknowledge us." Pikachu seemed just as perplexed. Sandalwood came to the girls.
"Sunset, Fluttershy?" he greeted.
"Hey, Sandalwood," Fluttershy replied. "Can we leave Pikachu with you?"
"Of course. I bet Ash would want to see him and his Pokémon." Pikachu hopped off Fluttershy before boarding Flash who came by.
"Hey, buddy," he giggled. Eyeing her old crush, Sunset wondered about Trixie stopping by.
"Do you know about Trixie's visit?" she asked.
"She didn't stay for a minute," Flash relayed. "She gave me a note saying she's off soul searching." This made Sunset and Fluttershy puzzled. "Are you two gonna visit?"
"We will," Sunset promised. "With the rest of the Mane 8."
"We have a surprise at Pinkie's house," Fluttershy briefed. "And we have Team Rocket to banish."
"Gotcha…" Flash nodded. Back in the room, Ash turned the TV on with the remote by his bedside. The news had a brunette woman onscreen.
"Good morning to everyone, I'm Ann Chor," she welcomed. "Our top story, Mayor Mare is announcing that Canterlot's star and now local hero, Ash Ketchum, will be receiving rewards for stopping a dual threat to the city's boys and girls from two evil adults and a being of extraordinary belief. The images last night provide a story far from belief if not caught on film. Eyewitness reports explain that he stopped what was a magical spirit known only to Principal Celestia and Vice Principal Luna while also dealing with these three." A photo of Team Rocket entered the screen. Before long, students emerged to give interviews.
"When Twilight transferred to Canterlot High," started Indigo. "Everyone at Crystal Prep believed it was the last we'd see of that Midnight. Boy, were we wrong! We're just lucky Ash was there."
"My wildest dreams didn't want Ash to sacrifice himself," Lemon murmured. "I would've wanted to make sure he'd be taken care of before paramedics arrived. Not only is he handsome but brave in the face of so much!"
"He came to us for a reason, not many," Sweetie Belle expressed. "Still, we were glad that he came to us when we did."
"Ash has been listed as the only injury reported," Ann continued. "There's also a confirmation that Mayor Mare will visit him." Ash muted the TV as Redheart entered the room again.
"Ash, you've got visitors," she informed. "Bulk, Flash, Sandalwood…" Ash listened and nodded, ready to see who came to praise him. Flash and other boys came to see Ash with Pikachu leaping onto his bed.
"Hey, Pikachu!" he greeted. Pikachu's happy cheer gave Ash a reason to smile.
"I didn't think you'd stay down for long," Flash sneered. "I'd say you're tougher than Bulk."
"Yeah!" roared Bulk… before realizing his new standing. "Hey!" The boys had a laugh before Flash handed Ash Trixie's note.
"Trixie wanted you to read it before anyone else," he explained. Ash opened the note:
DEAR ASH,
LAST NIGHT WAS A SERIOUS WAKE-UP CALL FOR ME. THAT CRIMSON WOMAN REVEALED TO ME WHAT I MAY BECOME. I MAY HAVE BEEN STARVING FOR ATTENTION AND MY ARROGANCE MAY HAVE PLAYED A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR… BUT THAT WOMAN SHOWED ME THE ERROR OF MY CURRENT WAYS. THERE ARE MORE IMPORTANT THINGS IN LIFE AND WHEN ONE ADULT WHO USES CHILD-LIKE ANTICS TO GET TO YOUR SPECIAL MOUSE FOR RUINING YOUR LIFE… SOMETHING NEEDS TO CHANGE, WHICH IS WHY I'LL BE OUT OF CONTACT FROM EVERYONE FOR AWHILE. IT MAY BE A FEW DAYS, IT MAY BE UNTIL THE NEXT SCHOOL YEAR. I NO LONGER CAN SEE MYSELF AS THE GREATEST AND/OR MOST POWERFULEST, WHICH IS RIDICULOUS ON ITS OWN MERIT. BEFORE I CAN ALLOW CANTERLOT AND THE STUDENT BODY TO FORGIVE ME, I NEED TO FORGIVE MYSELF.
KEEPING IN TOUCH, TRIXIE LULAMOON
The boys heard the letter, knowing Jessie's antics caused Trixie's realization. "Team Rocket made this to her?" guessed Sandalwood. Then a knock on the door. All turned to see Luna entering.
"Ash, you're already up?" she called as she embraced his head to hug.
"Vice Principal!" gasped Flash. Luna released her grip.
"Your real mother would be so proud of what you did. Besides, I think one of these boys used the rest of the fundraiser money to get you something." Bulk revealed a leather jacket with a turquoise patch. The circled patch had a white "C" circling a yellow horse's head.
"Your own Varsity Letter Jacket!" he presented. "Cool, now you're really a part of us!" Ash laughed to the offer. Meantime at Pinkie's House, the Mane 8, Tepig and Oshawott worked with making a cake. There have been some discussion as to flavor.
"Apples, Pinkie!" argued Applejack.
"No, strawberries!" demanded Pinkie. The rest of the cake continued to process with design choices made by the Crusaders. Apple Bloom turned to Fluttershy for help.
"Is this cape too much, Fluttershy?" she asked.
"No, I think it's exceptional for Ash," she surveyed. Finally, Applejack and Pinkie made a decision.
"Well, that debate was long," the blond huffed. "Sunset, Fluttershy, why don't you go on ahead with the cake."
"We got business with Team Ricket back at the school," Rainbow mocked. Sunset's laugh knew Rainbow had hatred to Jessie, James and Meowth.
"Okay, everyone," she accepted. "I'm sure you guys know the perfect punishment." Everyone now exited, leaving Fluttershy and Sunset with the Crusaders. That's when Sci-Twi returned to the two loved girls to Ash.
"I know things worked out but still, I can't get over what transpired last night," she muttered. "I tried to fend off Midnight as much as possible and-" She stopped when she felt Sunset's hand pat her shoulder.
"We're all okay," she eased. "That's what matters." Sci-Twi nodded, a tear streaking down her cheek. "If you want, you can go see him in the ICU, or you can help with the cake." Sci-Twi thought about the options. Back in Ash's ICU room, Luna had explained to Ash about her feelings.
"You see me that way, huh?" he awed. "Wow… Then again, I've had it happen a few times where I was mistaken for someone's son. Acknowledged as one is…"
"I know, but I can't help my make that statement to you," Luna assured. Ash smiled to Luna's wish.
"Thank you…" Just then, two more people entered the room. Principal Celestia and a gray-haired woman in a tan business and glasses entered.
"So, this is the young man who saved the fairgrounds?" the gray-haired asked.
"This is Ash, Mayor Mare," Celestia identified. A couple of photographers entered behind the two women. "Ash, this is Mayor Mare. Obviously, she's the mayor of the city." With his good arm, Ash shook Mare's hand.
"How long are you gonna be hospitalized?" asked Mare.
"They're saying two weeks, at least," he replied. Celestia picked up the clipboard and studied the writing.
"Bruised and broken ribs, spinal strain, collapsed lung, organ lacerations…" she listed. "It's a miracle that you've only been out for hours." Even Pikachu was a little surprised.
"I shouldn't make fun," Mare spoke. "But I'd consider those Badges of Honor. Anyway, my visit is to give you a different honor. As mayor of the city, I hereby bequeath you as an honorary citizen." Cameras flashed as Mare posed with Ash. At the school, Team Rocket was still in the jumbled mess of twisted metal and shaved heads. Meowth was without his charm on his head as Applejack, Rarity, Rainbow and Pinkie stand by the statue.
"You can't do this to us!" argued Jessie. "My gorgeous hair… my one true love… removed by that obnoxious twerpette!" Pinkie's head shook with a displeased look.
"You have a lot more than having no hair to worry about," she warned.
"You resort to a mass kidnapping just to get Ash's Pikachu?" scorned Applejack.
"So what!" snapped Jessie. "That Pikachu is ours so we get it to the boss!" James sighed to the loss of his own hair.
"You know, now that I think about it," he murmured. "Wherever I'm going, it's better than staying with Jessibelle." This made Rarity curious.
"Is this Jessibelle a family member of your family?" she wondered.
"Family-arranged fiancee," he replied. "She would disavow it now when I'm bald."
"Dat's nothing!" whined Meowth. "I'm without my charm!"
"Considering where Twilight says you're possibly going, you won't need it," Rainbow teased. Twilight emerged from the statue.
"We're ready on this end," she announced. "I told them of the ordeal and needless to say, they're not happy about it."
"Well, if you left us alone to get Pikachu, they wouldn't be so upset!" proclaimed Jessie. Rainbow stomped on Jessie's hairless crown.
"Sure, you kidnap all of us and now you're saying it's our fault?" she pointed out. Jessie snapped back, removing Rainbow's foot.
"And you should know better than to attack Pokémon Trainers!" she yelled. Applejack plugged her fingers into Jessie's nose.
"So, violence and murder on children is okay where you're from?" she growled.
"Who cares what you think!" mulled Jessie. Applejack then lifted all three Rockets at once, freaking the boys.
"I think she does!" cried James.
"Try… we all care!" scowled Applejack before throwing them into the statue and the rift. They emerged on the other side with Jessie and James as white ponies with the logo on their flanks. Meowth didn't change. Now, they were confronted by the ponies of Rarity, Rainbow, Applejack and Pinkie and none of them were happy.
"What's going on!?" gulped Jessie.
"So, you're the one who tried to hurt our princess, huh?" guessed Rarity.
"And after what she told us, we think it's best that you remain in that pile," Applejack scorned.
"We're getting lectured by talking steeds?" mumbled James. "Now, I've seen and heard everything." The two princesses came forward. Their faces told the boys, or colt and cat that the two were angry.
"So, this is the treacherous Team Rocket," Celestia studied. "And after what our fellow princess explained, we're here to pass judgment." From her horn, the Alicorn blasted both James and Jessie's heads with beams. It didn't look like the beams did anything. It even left Meowth a little puzzled.
"What was dat?" he mewed.
"A curse," Luna mentioned. "These two will no longer have a mane to speak of, permanently bald." Jessie's priceless face scared her in knowing that she won't have hair again.
"Why would you take the love of my life away!?" she stammered.
"You have bigger things to worry about," Celestia warned as she and Luna turned to the sky where the moon was out.
"Thank goodness, Princess Celestia warned every pony about a brief showing of the moon," Fluttershy mentioned. Hearing from the yellow pony, James realized where the three were going.
"Now, wait a minute!" he cried out. "You can't be sending us into space, right?" Now, all three tried to untangle themselves from the mess when Discord appeared and shot the metal.
"Now, don't you worry," he advised. "I made sure the steel will fall off once you reach your destination."
"And besides, I survived a thousand years up there, so it's not so bad of a sentence," Luna teased. She sided with Celestia as they charged their horns to the terrified group. The beams struck the pile before it lifted. One pulse in the beams sent Team Rocket over the village of ponies in a blur.
"Team Rocket's shooting the moon!" they cried in unison. Soon, they disappeared from sight. Back at the hospital in the human world, Principal Celestia brought out a portable monitor and a DVD. She laid them on the table and over Ash's bed.
"What's this?" he asked.
"This morning, some of the students had asked me to make a video for you, and I couldn't resist," she smiled. Inserting the DVD, she played the video. As mentioned, students appeared like Sweetie Drops.
"Hey, Ash!" she started. "This is Sweetie Drops. Several students and I decided to make a video to give you after your heroics last night. You came here to help us, even if it wasn't your intention. We're glad to know that you're gonna be okay." Next to appear was a curly redhead with bleach yellow skin.
"Ash, I know you don't know me," she believed. "Then again, those of us haven't had a chance to meet you personally. I'm Golden Hazel. When I saw you rid Midnight from Twilight and then yourself… I hoped you'd be strong enough to pull through. My hope apparently was granted. I hope to meet you at some point." Now appearing was a green-haired girl in a red beret. She wore a black tank-top with matching gloves.
"I am Watermelody, Ash," she identified herself. "When I saw you as Indy, I couldn't be more enamored by the look of a young Harrison Ford. However, that bravery is what sold me when you freed us on those fairgrounds. Perhaps I can get you a nice hat like my beret to go home with." Next was a brunette with light purple skin and a blue shirt.
"Ash, how ya doing?" she greeted. "This is Velvet Sky. I wanted to thank you for the time you spent in Canterlot High and how you saved us from those three adults." Now appearing was a white-skinned, turquoise-haired young woman in a pink dress. She shook maracas.
"Hello, Ash," she welcomed. "I'm Paisley. Mother Earth managed to be kind to those who raised your animals with the similar respect. That's why you're still here and not Midnight. I shake these to your gratitude." Paisley shook more before going to a greenish gray-skinned, blue-haired young woman with circular glasses.
"I'm Blueberry Cake," she named herself. "I could help you with fashion, I can help you with homework… but I can't do the saving of everyone like you did. And for that, I wish for a speedy recovery from you." Next came a green-haired, green-skinned girl with freckles and a tan shirt.
"Hello, Ash," she hummed. "I'm Wallflower Blush. Thank you for saving us from those adults and that spirit. I have a flower you can take home. It matches who you are." Now came a cream-skinned, blue/turquoise-haired girl with large glasses that have pink lenses and green headphones.
"Yo, Ash," she snapped. "DJ Pon-3, taking requests like the music for the Raiders play! At least I won't be playing at your funeral. I have some sick tracks to listen to when you reach home or in your next Pokémon Battle." Now appearing was a teal-skinned, purple-haired girl wearing a blue blouse over a yellow shirt.
"I'm Aqua Blossom, Ash," she introduced herself. "I wanna say… thank you for all you've done… From the play to showing us your special creatures… I wanted to give that little otter a cute hat to wear. Maybe when you're discharged, I can do that." Last was another cream-skinned, amaranth-haired young girl wearing a green tank-top.
"Ash, I'm Rose Heart," she started. "You were wonderful… as an aid to Canterlot High, a teacher with your Pokémon, as Indy… I'm sorry you got hurt but knowing that you'll be okay… that's all I wanted to know." Those in the video gathered for one last shot. Watermelody, Wallflower, Rose, Aqua, Paisley, Blueberry, DJ, Velvet Sweetie Drops and Golden Hazel stood next to one another.
"From all of us of Canterlot High," started Wallflower. They blew a kiss each to the camera.
"Thank you, Ash Ketchum!" they cheered. The video came to an end. Celestia closed the device as Sci-Twi entered.
"I made quite an impact," Ash murmured.
"You certainly did," Celestia agreed. Sci-Twi knocked on the door.
"Can I come in?" she asked. Celestia nodded as she excused herself.
"I'm gonna check on the situation at school," she waived. She left Ash and Pikachu with Sci-Twi. She sat by his bed.
"I can't say sorry to you enough," she whimpered. Ash and Pikachu blinked to the confession. "I had Midnight secured. I had her pinned after the Friendship Games and when we got the geodes from Camp Everfree, we thought it would be enough to suppress Midnight for good. It was until you came. I tried to fight it as much as possible but she came out. At least now, she's dead." Ash felt bad for Midnight's fate.
"She was… that much a part of you, huh?" he guessed.
"Yeah… I didn't think there's another way to remove Midnight from me." Ash laid back down as Sci-Twi picked Pikachu up to pet.
"I feel worse than how Team Rocket entrapped you guys." Sci-Twi giggled before recalling something.
"We should be the ones feeling sorry. When I spent time with Princess Twilight, she told me about how her friends in Equstria were like mine here, that we have the same Elements of Harmony." Ash blinked to the name.
"Elements of Harmony?"
"Six harmonic elements… and you have them as we do as well. Honesty, kindness, laughter, generosity, loyalty, and magic." Ash thought to Sci-Twi's explanation.
"I'd… question the magic bit."
"I don't. You have the magic of your Pokémon, right? You have it, Pikachu's got it, Oshawott, Tepig… you see where I'm going?" Ash finally smiled to her claim. That's when there's a knock.
"We're here!" announced Pinkie. Ash and Sci-Twi saw the Mane 8 enter and Sunset rushed to Ash's side to give him a hug.
"You doing okay, honey?" she cooed.
"I'll be…" Ash assured.
"We weren't until Timber gave us a ride," Rainbow sighed. This excited Sci-Twi.
"Timber!?" she repeated before leaving… but not before giving Pikachu to Fluttershy.
"Anyway, we brought you something to say thanks for all you did," Pinkie explained. They opened the box to unveil the cake with designs of Pokéballs and Ash's Pokémon's heads with scarves. Ash's head had a cape. There was also writing on it.
THANK YOU, ASH KETCHUM!
"You guys…" Ash laughed. "You shouldn't have!" The girls and Pikachu joined in the laugh. That's when someone new entered.
"So, I can finally meet Indy for myself, huh?" the new voice asked. All turned to the woman in black with the chestnut around the neck. Rainbow gawked to the chestnut.
"It- It can't be!" she figured. The mysterious figure took her hat and sunglasses off, revealing a tangerine-colored blond woman with pink streaks.
"Hey, girls," she greeted. "I know it hasn't been long." Aside from Twilight, the Mane 8 became shocked.
"Chestnut Magnifico!?" they shouted. Rainbow emitted a high-pitched squeal. Remembering the discussions before the play, Ash had the chance to see her for himself.
"You're Daring Do?" he guessed.
"I am, Doc Jones… or should I say Doc Ketchum," Chestnut teased. This gave the Mane 8 gawks.
"You mean to say that you attended the play?" awed Rarity.
"I did, and I saw how much the Pokémon mean to Ash. I wish I learned about it when he had that class a couple of weeks ago." Ash felt Chestnut's words and wanted to share in the teachings.
"I'd love to, Chestnut," Ash murmured. "But I can't in the state I'm in. And besides, once I leave here, I'm heading back to my world… and to Icirrus City where I was suppose to be going to anyway." Chestnut nodded to his wish.
"Yeah, you seemed to have had enough, especially as the lead role of the play," she acknowledged. Twilight had an idea for Chestnut.
"You know, we can help you in learning about Pokémon like he taught us," she suggested. The rest gawked to Twilight's idea.
"Twi, are you serious?" she gulped.
"Why not?" she wondered. "Ash taught us all we need to know and we can share with those who can, including Chestnut." The actress felt honored to have these girls teach her about Pokémon.
"That would be great," she accepted. "If I do have one, maybe include them and all of you in a future movie."
"That would be awesome to see happening!" Pinkie cheered. Rainbow's excitement overwhelmed her to having her faint onto the floor.
"Well, I'm gonna let Ash recover… and Rainbow as well," Chestnut pointed out. "Ciao!" She left the room and Fluttershy attended Rainbow's fall, still awe-struck.
"We're… gonna… be… in… Chestnut's new movie!" she squealed out loud. "This can't be a dream!" Sci-Twi reentered the room after her time with Timber.
"Was that Chestnut Magnifico?" she asked.
"It was, Sci-Twi," Applejack confirmed. "And we're all invited when we offer the lessons Ash gave us… to be in her movie." Sci-Twi clapped wildly when Rarity had a suggestion in mind.
"Since it's Ash who brought everything together, let's reward him," she sneered. She brought out a makeup case. Sunset's grinned to the reward as Ash began to sweat in fear.
"Oh no…" he moaned. Rainbow passed off the lipsticks.
"Sorry, I don't do makeup, Rarity!" she brushed off before going to Ash. "I prefer moments like this as 'eau natural!'" Rainbow leaned in and kissed Ash on the nose.
"Suit yourself," Sunset scoffed while branding red lips. Twilight had purple, Sci-Twi had light purple, Rarity had white, Applejack had orange, Pinkie had pink and Fluttershy had yellow. "Here we come!" Ash gulped as the girls leaned in and kissed Ash all over his face. After a minute, Ash's face was covered in lipstick marks with only yellow and red lips on his. Ash looked wiped out.
"A lot of love…" he groaned. Ash remained in the hospital for two weeks to let his body recover. Rehabilitation helped his improvement as he and Pikachu exited the hospital with a clean bill of health. After receiving a clean bill of health, Flash was the first to greet him and a larger hairstyle. The raven-haired trainer had twice as much hair as before it was trimmed. The scruff look gave it the appearance of a lion.
"I don't know about you, but you look more fierce like that," he commented.
"You think so?"
"I do, dude! Anyway, everyone's at the pizza parlor. Come on!" Ash couldn't wait as they arrived at the pizza parlor. On arrival…
"Surprise!" was the greeting by everyone. All surrounded Ash and Pikachu with greetings and even those on the video made their appearances known. Ash even met the manager of the parlor came to Ash.
"Because you did so much, we made this pizza in your name!" he said as he presented a pizza with hot dog pieces, sausage, pepperoni, onions, green peppers and chili sauce.
"My favorite: Deep Dish Chili Dog Pizza!" recognized Ash
"Well, we're calling it the Ash Ketchum pizza. I believe you'll enjoy it."
"Thanks!" After time spent with students in the parlor, it became late. Fluttershy joined Sunset, Ash and Pikachu at Sunset's home. The fair was where they decided to love Ash equally. A shirtless Ash became sandwiched between two girls who fell asleep: Sunset's head on his chest and Fluttershy's head was adjacent to his ear as she also held Pikachu. Tomorrow will be the last day for Ash at Canterlot. The school will miss him and his Pokémon.
TO BE CONCLUDED…