A/N: Here were are-another chapter! They seem to be getting shorter and shorter on me. Maybe it's this middle part. I think that once I move on to part IV that the writing will come for easily to me.

Anyway, enjoy the latest chapter!

- Sarah

Disclaimer: I do not own Pokemon or any of its characters.

Chapter Three: Hello, Old Friend!

A few days later, Ash, Misty, and Brock decided to spend the day on another island, one bigger than the one with Julian's shop, but smaller than the one on which they were staying. This island had a dense forest famous for its fresh berries. Brock was the one who wanted to check it out so he could find some rare berries, which had healing properties. There was a twinge of excitement inside of Ash. Though the desire to train Pokémon was long forgotten, part of him wanted a new Pokémon. Misty was nervous, almost skipping out on a trip entirely. To her, a forest equated bugs, something that she deemed undesirable. It took a considerable coaxing from Ash, who was kind and sensitive to her situation. Her agreement was contingent upon the knowledge that he would chase the bugs away. With a chuckle, he obliged.

The sun was high in the sky when their boat docked. Pikachu leapt gleefully off the edge of the ship, itching for a new adventure. An old spark ignited in Ash, who followed after his Pokémon. Hesitating, Misty walked on the wooden dock, wishing to have more time on the boat instead. Ash, sensing her reluctance, grabbed her hand and dragged her along with him toward the tiny town, causing Misty's heart to leap from her chest. Ash was oblivious to her flushed face as he marched ahead, not relinquishing her hand for a second.

They were not far from the outskirts of town when they noticed a middle-aged man frantically questioning passersby. Pikachu was the first to notice him, tugging on Ash's shirt, and pointing to the man. Ash approached him, for he knew something was wrong, dragging Misty along with him. Brock, who had been too preoccupied reading the guidebook on the island, caught up with the others with a brief sprint.

"Are you okay?" Ash asked the man.

"My daughter is missing," he replied, pacing up and down the road.

"Your daughter?" Misty asked.

"Yes, Becky. She's seven, and she has dark brown hair and green eyes. She's about this tall," he said, putting his hand to his mid-thigh. "Have you seen her?"

"No, we arrived in town a few minutes ago," Ash said. "We can help you look for her."

"I'm afraid that she went into the Berry Forest alone. She's been asking me for weeks now to take her, but I've been too busy with my shop to do it. There's quite a few dangerous Pokémon, and she'll have no way of defending herself. You are all Pokémon trainers, right?"

"Yes," said Misty. "We'll go search for her in the forest. C'mon, you two."

"Right," Brock and Ash said.

The three trainers jogged through the tiny town. It did not take long before they reached the road that led to the forest. With the forest within their eyesight, just beyond a small bridge, they slowed their pace to a walk. Ash and Brock paused briefly to catch their breaths. The three continued onward, entering the vast grove of trees.

"Becky!" Misty started to call as the moved further into the forest.

"Becky!" Ash began to shout as well. He opened his mouth to call the girl's name again, but something flew past him, stopping him short.

With a flash of pink, Ash witnessed a Pokémon flying through the trees. Misty and Brock were turned in another direction, so they did not see it. It was in his area for only a few seconds, but he was certain that what he saw was a Butterfree. It was a pink Butterfree. Ash's heart missed a beat.

Igniting confusion within Brock and Misty, Ash broke out into a run, determined to not let it escape. He had only seen one pink Butterfree once in his life. What were the chances that it was a different one? He continued running, his eyes focused on the Pokémon in the distance, the shouts of his friends echoing behind him. Ash was running for five minutes before it stopped in a small grove, meeting up with a cluster of other bug Pokémon. Breathless, Ash frantically searched around, hoping to see a familiar face.

"Ash, what do you think you are doing?" demanded Misty as soon as she had caught up with him.

"I'm looking for—"

He saw it then. There in front of him fluttered the Pokémon that he had once lost. It had been many years—over a decade in fact—since he had seen it. The first Pokémon he had ever caught stared back at him, its eyes shining after a moment of realization. Butterfree flew to him at full speed, until it made contact with his chest. Ash's eyes watered as he embraced his old friend.

"Butterfree! How have you been, buddy?"

"Beefreeee!" the Pokémon exclaimed in response.

There were many other Butterfrees, Metapods, and Caterpies surrounding the trainers as well. It dawned on Ash that this must be Buttterfree's family. He was delighted to know that Butterfree was happy and healthy. Brock and Misty watched the two with small grins etched upon their faces.

The reunion was short-lived, however. Misty gently reminded Ash that they had to find Becky. Ash suspected that her sense of urgency had more to do with being surrounded by bug Pokémon. He knew that she wanted out of this forest as soon as possible. Ash was willing to go and find Becky, though. It was Brock who was the distracted one. He had started to collect berries that had fallen on the ground, which Misty responded by shouting at him to focus.

"Butterfree," Ash began. "Have you seen a little girl around here today?"

"Freeee!" the Pokémon replied, nodding its head.

"Great!" Ash said, "Can you take us to her?"

The three sprinted deeper into the forest, with Butterfree at the lead. It was growing darker as they approached the heart of the forest, which was so densely packed trees that minimal light could penetrate the branches. There was a shrill that pervaded in the air, causing Ash to go faster. They found Becky trapped in a corner of the forest, a Hypno towering over her. Ash knew that he had to act quickly.

"Pikachu! Thunderbolt!"

"Pikachu!" the electric mouse shouted as electricity emanated from its cheeks.

The attack hit the Pokémon directly in the chest, critically hurting the psychic Pokémon. The Hypno ran away, leaving Becky unharmed. Her body was still shaking from fear as the tears fell from her eyes. Ash knelt down on her level, and put his backpack on the ground in front of him. He unzipped the bag and rummaged around for something, finally revealing a pink handkerchief. Misty immediately recognized it as the one she had given him years ago when she first had to leave to become Cerulean's gym leader. She almost wanted to cry as well at the thought that he had hung onto it after all of this time.

"It's okay now," Ash said, handing the piece of fabric to Becky. "You're safe now. My name is Ash. Is your name Becky?"

"Uh huh. How did you know that?" she asked, taking the handkerchief from him and drying her eyes.

"Your dad is looking for you everywhere."

"Oh," she said, frowning. "I thought that he wouldn't care if I was gone."

"Why would you say that?" Misty asked as the three adults sat down next to the child.

"He doesn't pay attention to me. He's always busy working. I'm all alone."

"Where's your mom?" Ash asked.

"Daddy said that she left when I was really young. We don't talk about her much."

"Oh," Ash said. "Well I can tell you that I bet your dad loves you a whole lot."

"How do you know?"

"I could see how scared he was when he couldn't find you. I know how you feel though. When I was growing up, it was only my mom and I. My dad left when I was young, too."

Misty fought the urge to smother Ash in an embrace. Though she had never met the man, she wanted to punch his dad in the face for leaving that sweet boy. It didn't matter that he wanted to become a Pokémon Master or whatever. She found the fact that he abandoned his wife and child to be deplorable. There were so many emotions running inside of her that it was making her head spin. She was angry about the situation with Ash's father, touched that he kept her handkerchief, and impressed at Ash's ability to handle a child so easily.

"Maybe my friend Butterfree can come visit you occasionally, and you can play with him. How does that sound?"

"Really? Butterfree is so cute!" she exclaimed, grabbing the Pokémon and giving it a squeeze.

"Beeefreee!" Butterfree squealed in delight.

"Pika pika!" Pikachu exclaimed as well.

"Ready to go back home," Ash said after getting to his feet. He extended his hand out to Becky.

"Sure," she replied with a toothy grin as she held his hand.

Brock hung back in the forest, stating that he needed to find some more berries before heading out. They agreed to wait for him in by the dock after bringing Becky back to her father. Becky skipped cheerfully along, not relinquishing Ash's hand as they travelled down the path back to town. Pikachu sat on Misty's shoulder and talked happily to Butterfree, who had decided to come back to town for the afternoon. Becky was excited to have new friends. She was an only child and there were not many other children on the island for companionship.

"So is she your girlfriend?" Becky asked Ash, looking up at him with innocent eyes.

"Who? Misty?" Ash asked, the color rushing to his face.

"Yeah."

"Oh, we're just friends," Misty interjected, nervous twitter present in her voice, before Ash had a chance to respond.

"Best friends?"

"That's right, Becky, best friends."

The three with the Pokémon reached the edge of town to discover that Becky's father was waiting for them. Becky, excited to see him, finally let go of Ash's hand and rushed toward him. Her father lifted her into his arms, relieved. He was grateful to Ash and Misty, as evident by his smile. Ash was glad that she could see that her father truly cares about after all. After a brief meeting and Becky's retelling of her adventures, the two headed home, leaving Ash and Misty alone with Pikachu and Butterfree.

Ash knew that it was time to leave his old friend so it could return to its family. He was depressed for their reunion had been short-lived. It was not entirely because Butterfree was the first Pokémon whom he caught. It was not because it was the first one to evolve. The bug represented a simpler time—one in which he was carefree. There were times where he did miss it. Misty's yelling was a welcome to him now. Anything was better than this deafening silence. Since when did his life get so mundane?

"Well buddy," Ash said, stepping toward his friend. "It was great seeing you again."

"Freee!"

"You take care of yourself, okay? We'll be back to visit real soon."

"Beefreeeee!" Butterfree exclaimed as it flew back into the direction of the forest.

Ash did his best to hold back his emotions as he observed it flutter away. Misty, knowing how hard this was for him, took hold of his hand. He glanced down at their hands, and blushed slightly. It was nice to know that he had Misty on his side. He gave her hand a gentle squeeze. As long as she was here with him, there was nothing that could break him.