Ashes of the future, past and present

by JBGilroy

This is a three part story dealing with a period of time after Ash returns from the Kalos having won the league. Each part deals with an event that occurs in the future, past or present which involves Team Rocket's own Giovanni trying to rid himself of Ash. Serena is taken to a future without Ash, Ash meets Ho-oh and a mysterious boy with a strange familiarity for Ash appears.

29. Chapter 29

Ash flexed his hand experimentally while waiting for Brock's stew to be finished next to their camp fire. It was the night after leaving Cerulean City. Misty was back as gym leader and had had many challengers waiting for her. Her sisters had threatened to give badges away if she took off the way she did again. Brock was going to travel with Ash and Serena to Pallet Town and then visit his family in Pewter City before returning to his studies. Ash's ankle and wrist were all back to normal now, finally. They hadn't been able to travel as quickly with his injuries. Serena was setting up the collapsible table for dinner and Brock was throwing the last ingredients into the stew over the fire. Pikachu was dozing softly beside Ash. It was a calm and peaceful evening, perfect for camping. The stars were already showing themselves and the bright moon was shining low in the darkening sky.

"Alright guys, the stew's done. Come and get some," Brock announced, spooning portions into bowls. Pikachu leapt to its feet as Ash accepted a bowl. They had already fed their Pokémon when they set up the camp site. However Pikachu still happily accepted a small bowl of stew. Brock and Ash told Serena stories of their travels together as they ate. Tonight they were telling of the time they had accidentally released a Spiritomb in Sinnoh during a training battle. They had just finished eating, Ash having eaten three portions, when the bushes rustled beside their camp.

Suddenly two young boys exploded into the camp. They were drenched and the younger boy was clearly terrified of something, clinging to his backpack like his life depended on it. The three friends got up and rushed over to the boys. Brock knelt down to comfort the younger of the two while Ash eyed the older of the two. The boy looked calm and wasn't carrying a backpack. Serena ran over with a couple of towels and threw one to the older and wrapped the younger one in the other. "You must be frozen. Come on, you should have some of Brock's stew. We need to warm you up and dry you off before you catch a cold," Serena fussed and Brock allowed Serena to guide the young boy to the fire while he went to get two bowls of stew for the intruders. The older boy warily followed the younger, careful to avoid Ash's suspicious gaze. Both boys accepted the stew and hungrily ate the food and both asked for seconds and thirds. "You two could give Ash a run for his money," Brock commented, delighted to be catering for their clearly large appetites. Ash grunted at Brock's comment but continued to watch the boys silently.

Something about them seemed off. It hadn't rained all day, so why were they so wet? The younger boy was clearly afraid of something or someone while the older was acting like nothing had happened. The older boy didn't have a backpack and so he wasn't prepared for travel. Ash doubted that he was a local. However although Ash had had these thoughts, he had only realised these things while watching the two eat. The thing that made him so suspicious was a gut feeling that the boys were familiar to him. However he knew that he hadn't met them before. Pikachu had similar feelings. Their smell was familiar but it couldn't quite place why. Both boys had dark hair and brown eyes. The younger had similar facial markings to Ash. The older seemed very wary of Ash and yet seemed very protective of the younger. They looked related. Ash guessed that they could have been brothers.

Once they had finished eating Ash decided to ask his questions. He had waited long enough and he wanted answers. "So, what are your names?" Ash asked conversationally. The younger glanced at the older, who nodded for the young boy to answer. "My name is Ash," the young boy answered softly, almost fearfully. Ash narrowed his eyes slightly. It was a peculiar coincidence that this boy was also called the unusual name Ash. Ash looked at the older boy. The older boy seemed to be having a debate with himself and finally nodded to himself and wet his lips. "I'm Brad," the older answered carefully. "How come you're all wet? Why is Ash so scared?" Ash inquired. He had always been very direct.

Not a great place to pause, I'll admit but if I didn't stop here the chapter would be way too long.

So, until the next chapter.