A few hours down the road, the group stopped for lunch and a rest. Serena set up the table again and Brock started preparing the food. The younger Ash stayed with Serena, he had developed a kind of brotherly bond towards her and felt safe around her. This had concerned Serena and she had quietly asked Brad about it and Brad had shrugged and guessed that since the older Ash didn't remember any of this then chances were that the younger Ash probably wouldn't either. The older Ash had gone for firewood and Brad was sent to collect water. It wasn't long before the fire was roaring and Brock was carefully stirring a pot of his "lazy boy no chew" stew. Brad dozed off while they waited and the older Ash and Serena fed all their Pokémon. Brock had asked Brad what Pokémon he had so he could make food for them and Brad sheepishly admitted that he hadn't gotten his first Pokémon yet. He had just turned ten and was supposed to get his first in a few days to a week from his present day.
It was a peaceful and calm lunch break as they returned the now fed Pokémon to their pokéballs until the older Ash cried out in pain clutching his head as a splitting headache came on. Pikachu scampered around Ash concerned and unable to help. Brock abandoned the stew and tried to get Ash to tell him what happened but the headache was so severe that Ash couldn't hear his friend properly. Brad woke with a start and saw the older Ash in pain and quickly understood what was going on. He leapt to his feet and knelt beside Ash who was forced to the ground by the headache. The younger Ash was on the edge of the group fearfully watching everything clutching Serena who watched in horror. The younger Ash understood that the older Ash was an older version of himself and he was quite in awe of himself. However the younger Ash felt extremely lost not knowing where he was or who exactly he was travelling with. He was afraid and a little homesick as he had never been away from home for so long before. Although Brock was a great cook, the younger Ash missed his mother's cooking still.
"Ash, listen to me! You have to tell me what you're remembering! Ash! Come on try!" Brad shouted into the older Ash's face, desperately trying to get his attention. Brad understood that Ash was having a flashback because Team Rocket was messing with his past. He had seen this before, it was how he had known the younger Ash was in danger. The older Ash gritted his teeth and sucked in air. "Orange Islands… Lugia," Ash whispered in a voice almost too soft to hear. Brad nodded. He knew a lot about Ash's past and knew what event Ash was referencing. He pulled out the device and started tapping buttons furiously. Brock watched Brad closely and tried to comfort his friend. "What are you doing?" Brock asked accusingly. Brad was meant to be helping Ash not planning on travelling through time. "Ash has that headache because Team Rocket is messing with his past. They're trying to change events so that Ash doesn't… win. I need to time jump to when they are and stop them," Brad explained without taking his eyes off of the device.
The older Ash still whimpered in pain, in fact the pain was so severe that he was almost unconscious. "Wait, you can't go there alone. You haven't any Pokémon and Team Rocket might be ready for you this time. You need back up. Besides I know quite a bit about Ash's past," Brock reasoned. Brad glanced at Brock and bit his lip. "You could mess things up more if Ash sees you and recognises you," Brad countered weakly. "Then we'll make sure that Ash doesn't see us," Serena called with a determined expression. If Ash needed help, she'd help him. Brad looked around and felt trapped. They couldn't leave either Ash alone. The younger Ash couldn't protect himself and if the older Ash had another headache like this one then he would be vulnerable. Brad knew that Brock was right. Team Rocket knew about him now. The element of surprise was long gone. Although Brad knew a lot of Ash's past there was no substitute for living or experiencing it. Brad sighed and knelt down beside Ash once again. "Alright then Brock, Serena, Ash and Pikachu. You all need to touch me. The device can transport anyone touching it and transfers over through one person. Hurry up," Brad conceded and the others rushed to place a hand on him while Brad placed a hand on the older Ash's shoulder and with his other hand punch a thumb down on the device, activating it.
I know that was mean but I couldn't resist the cliff-hanger and if I hadn't stopped here the chapter would be too long.
Until the next chapter.