"Are you sure about this?" Gary asked.

Delia smiled as she hugged the young Professor. "Yes. Your grandfather was insistent."

Gary sighed. "If you're with him you'll be out of contact." He said warningly. "If Ash does come back…" He trailed off, allowing Delia's mind to fill in the rest.

"Then it's up to you to make sure he doesn't leave." Delia said.

Gary smiled ruefully. "That'll be difficult." He paused before deciding to take the plunge on a question. "Delia… Why now? Why are you leaving?"

"Because I feel something good about this." Delia said. "I don't know what it is, but it feels right to go now."

Gary nodded, before stepping away. "Then I wish you luck." He looked down at Pikachu who was by Delia's side. "And you, look after her." Pikachu grinned and gave Gary a thumbs up. The Electric-Type had been surprised at Delia's request for him to go with her, but had agreed easily enough. He had once belonged to her son, it was fitting that he eventually followed her. And if he spent too long cooped up he'd get bored again. This was a chance for adventure for him.

As Delia turned and started to walk away, Pikachu running alongside her, Gary waved before walking back to his laboratory. It felt weird to be the last one of his old friends in Pallet. His grandfather was gone, Ash was gone, and Delia was gone. Everybody in the town knew him as a researcher, none seemed to remember him as a kid who had left twelve years ago.

"It's time for the new generation." Gary said out loud. There was a noise from behind him and he turned to see Misty watching him. She had already said her goodbyes to Delia, before disappearing into the lab. It was hard for her; Delia had taken her last ties to Ash.

"What do you mean?" The red head asked.

"What I say." Gary said with a smile. "Have you not noticed the next generation taking over slowly but surely?" Misty shrugged so Gary continued. "Since I became a trainer, two regional Professors and a large number of Gym leaders have changed."

"Not all willingly." Misty put in. Gary nodded.

"Indeed, not all willingly. But they've changed. Our generation is beginning to take over."

"Is there a point to this ramble?" Misty asked.

Gary shrugged. "Not really. More thinking out loud. I'm going to miss Delia."

Misty nodded in agreement. "Same. And Pikachu…"

"Pichu will miss him more!" Gary said with a laugh. Misty grinned, before crossing the room and hugging her boyfriend. Gary returned the gesture, before smiling down at her.

"Anyway, we should get on." Gary said. "I need to continue my work, and you should be out training."

Misty grinned at him, kissed him quickly and turned away. Gary watched her stride away before moving deeper into the lab to continue his new life as a researcher.

Ash sat meditating. Alongside him Sam and Mellanie were doing the same, all completely silent. In front of them, all their Pokémon were training. Ash let his mind wander slightly from his concentration, drifting across to the youngsters. They had both thrived in the last couple of weeks, coming on leaps and bounds in their training. After a year or so, he suspected they would probably try to leave, but they would be sufficiently good trainers by then not to embarrass him. He had enjoyed the last week immensely. It was how he had hoped his life would go after he returned. Training, alongside a few, highly talented trainers. He had been to Indigo once in the last seven days to hand Tobias over. Cynthia had everything perfectly under control and had another training camp organized for a couple of weeks' time. He had declined to help with it, saying that it wasn't appropriate. She had understood. The future looked good for him; he had everything that he had wanted when he returned home, and for once it looked like a crisis wasn't immediately jumping at him.

Ash stood up and stretched, an action mirrored by the two youngsters alongside him. The Pokémon stopped training and turned to face them as Ash raised his voice.

"Time for dinner."

Behind him, from the open door into his house, food floated on plates out towards the Pokémon. A trio of plates floated up to Ash, Sam and Mellanie who took their respective plates and started to eat. There was a happy aura around the clearing, not dampened by the plate that still floated towards the sleeping bag by the edge of the open area. The whole group ate in silence, something Sam and Mellanie had quickly learned to do. It wasn't that Ash disliked them talking, but he always seemed so focused, even when eating, that they didn't want to disturb him.

Ash suddenly spoke. "We need to discuss another part of your training."

Sam and Mellanie looked at each other.

"What part?" Sam asked.

Ash smiled tightly. "Ethics."

"What do you mean?" Mellanie chipped in. "Treating our Pokémon properly?"

"That is part of it." Ash said, nodding. "But not just your own Pokémon."

He pushed his empty plate away and stood, walking a short distance away. "Do either of you remember me fighting during the World League?" Ash asked, facing away from the two youngsters.

"Yes." Sam said, while Mellanie nodded.

"And my fight against Misty a few days later?" Ash asked.

Sam grinned. "Of course. You thrashed her."

However Mellanie was shaking her head. "Wasn't that the one where Misty's Golduck collapsed at the end?"

Ash turned around, his face showing an expression of sadness. "Yes." He said simply. "She pushed her Golduck too far. My question to you is this: what was the difference between the fight against Misty, and any of my other fights?"

The grin slowly slid off Sam's face as he thought about it. He knew Ash's fights better than anybody except perhaps Ash himself, but he knew that Golduck was the only Pokémon that was pushed to the point of collapse.

"Misty didn't withdraw her Golduck." He said eventually.

Ash nodded, before returning to sit next to the youngsters. "That is one of the most important things to learn when working with powerful Pokémon. When to attack your opponent at full strength, when to attack weakly, and most importantly, when to stop. Misty and that Golduck have been through a lot, but even so I guarantee that the bond between them will have been weakened by that ordeal."

"But Golduck still fought so well in the Johto League…" Mellanie said, but she trailed off as Ash's gaze fixed onto her.

"Yes he did." Ash said. "But Golduck was reserved. It takes a lot of experience to notice it, but the signs were there. Misty has lost part of the trust that her Pokémon place in her."

"Why are you telling us this?" Sam asked.

"Because you are both becoming more powerful. While you are here, if your Pokémon come to serious harm I will intervene, but you need to understand the impact that it can have on your relationship with them. A defeat can strengthen the bonds, but a Pokémon being seriously injured will lose trust. And if you push them too hard, they will get frustrated. Remember, unless your Pokémon throw themselves totally into the training, they will want breaks. And you can still get exceptionally powerful with…"

Suddenly Ash's voice trailed off, his head snapping around. He stood up and strode away, watched by every single Pokémon. Within moments he had vanished into the trees, leaving a long silence in his wake.

"What just happened?" Sam asked.

"I don't –" Mellanie started, before being cut off.

"Professor Oak is an extraordinary man." Espeon said. She had left her food and moved up to next to the pair of young trainers. "He has brought somebody to visit Ash."

"Who?" Mellanie asked excitedly. "Is it one of his old friends? Misty?"

"No." Espeon answered. "I suspect that if it had been an old friend, Ash wouldn't have allowed them onto the island. Remember, he can just not open the gates. Given who it is, he won't have known what to do, and so did nothing. But he will not want to face them."

"Who is it?" Mellanie asked again.

"You will see soon." Espeon said. "They are coming here."

Ash strode into the woods, away from his house, putting as much distance between himself and what was coming for he turned and smashed a fist into a tree, causing it to uproot and crash into another tree. His anger unsated, Ash strode away from the damage, fighting to control his emotions. He had trusted Professor Oak, just like he had trusted others. And the old man had gone behind his back, brought somebody here who he wasn't certain he wanted to meet. But then… if they had come alone, there was no reason for him to hide. Except his fear of how they'd judge him. How they'd blame him for abandoning them.

Ash's pace quickly carried him to the edge of his island where he sat down, and began breathing deeply, trying to calm himself down. At the back of his mind he felt Espeon's presence flickering, but not pushing too hard. He grimaced, she'd know what was happening by now. He just hoped that she wouldn't come looking for him. He needed time to work things out in his head.

Sam and Mellanie were waiting at the front door of the house, Espeon by their side. The car came to a stop, and Professor Oak climbed out, before turning back to the inside and holding out a hand. Both of the watching youngsters gasped as they recognized the face of Delia Ketchum climb out of the car, and look around.

"Where are we Samuel?" She asked.

"Mystery Island." Oak answered with a smile. "There is somebody here who will meet you eventually. Although first I think there are some youngsters who might want to say hello again."

Delia looked at Sam and Mellanie and her face split into a wide smile. Before she could move there was a loud cry and Pikachu leapt out of the car to hug Mellanie.

"How are you two?" Delia asked, moving forwards to hug them. "It's been a while since we've seen you! What are you doing here?"

"Hi Delia…" Sam said, still in a state of mild shock. Mellanie was quicker to respond properly.

"We've been training under the Pokémon Master." She said. "He invited me before the end of the Silver Conference and …" Mellanie's voice trailed off again. She still hadn't fully recovered from her ordeal, still waking up with nightmares. Espeon flicked her tail, before nuzzling Mellanie's hand for the girl to take comfort from her. The Sun Pokémon had started treating Mellanie like her own child, sitting up with her late into the night to help stave off the nightmares.

Delia grimaced and hugged Mellanie tightly, causing Pikachu to leap off again, before glancing down at Espeon.

"And who is this Pokémon?" Delia asked. "She's beautiful."

"'Champions' Espeon." Oak said. "And I doubt you'll see a healthier Pokémon. He looks after them all very well."

Espeon met Delia's gaze, but didn't say anything. Her eyes flickered to Oak's who smiled back at her, before gesturing to the house.

"Aren't you going to invite us in?" he said with a warm smile.

"I guess so." Sam said slowly, turning to lead them inside. "Although A… 'Champion' headed off into the woods not long ago." He said over his shoulder. "We don't know when he will be back."

Oak nodded as they walked inside, and through to the lounge which had the door which led outside. It was open, showing the Pokémon eating outside. A few of them glanced up, but only saw Sam, Mellanie and Professor Oak inside. They turned back to their food.

"Why are we here?" Delia asked as they sat down in the lounge.

"Because of 'Champion'" Oak said. Pikachu sat up from where he was sitting in the middle of the room, to watch Oak carefully.

"What about him?" Delia asked. She had been pushing Oak to talk about why he was taking her to an island in the middle of nowhere since she had found out where they were going, but he hadn't told her anything, just saying it would explain itself when they got there.

Before anybody could answer, there was an echoing roar and the house shook. Mellanie screamed, as both her and Sam's Pokémon shot back into the house to take up positions around their trainers. In front of them, stood at the doors, and visibly trembling was Pikachu. Opposite him, but just outside the doors leading to the outside, Charizard had noticed that he was there. To say that the Fire-type looked angry was an understatement. He had stormed up to the house, roaring all the way and was stood towering over Pikachu. The flame on the end of his tail, a good indicator for his anger, was almost as large as when he had flattened Rayquaza. Pikachu glanced at the flame before cowering in front of the furious Pokémon in front of him.

"Charizard!" Espeon cried in shock, as he roared again. This time words could be heard over his anger.

"How DARE you come here!" Charizard roared. "You…"

"CHARIZARD." shouted Espeon, the force of her mental command causing the terrified humans to stumble back into their chairs and sending Mellanie and Sam's Pokémon tumbling from their defensive position around their trainers. "Back off. NOW."

Charizard continued to glare at Pikachu, not moving. In the house, Oak was gesturing for Delia to move, almost pushing her out of the room. He turned to Sam and Mellanie but they were on the floor by their Pokémon, trying to get them back on their feet. Espeon's shout seemed to have caused some serious damage.

"Would you attack here?" Espeon demanded. "In his house? Do you really think he will thank you for that?"

Charizard finally turned his gaze on Espeon, who was stood just behind Pikachu, in a position that would enable her to dodge or pounce quickly. If Charizard attacked she wasn't sure how long she could keep him out of the room and the human's safety was her priority.

"He deserves to suffer!" Charizard roared at Espeon. "He broke him! He nearly killed him!"

"This is not…" Espeon started, but was interrupted by a surprisingly calm voice.

"Charizard, do not take it upon yourself to pass out judgement. You've been taught better than that."

Charizard spun around to see Sceptile, his blades by his sides but glowing, with Meganium and Snorlax either side. "You dispute my right?"

"Yes." Snorlax rumbled. "We were all there that day, not just you. Pikachu remains until he returns."

Charizard looked around at each of the Pokémon, before snapping around to glare at Pikachu.

"You'd better pray for forgiveness, rodent."

Ash leaned against a tree, his eyes shut. He recalled the day Pikachu left, the day he realized he could never go home, never see his mother again. He could remember the day like it was yesterday. But it wasn't, it was years ago. How could he face his mother again, having left her alone for nearly eight years? In his mind he visualized the horrible moment again.

"What can I do for you Pikachu?" Ash asked as the little electric Pokémon walked up to him.

"Pika, Pikachu." Pikachu said. "Pikapi, Pika, Pikachu, chu, chu. Pikachu."

Ash stared. "Please tell me I'm misunderstanding you" he said quietly.

Pikachu continued to speak and gesture, while Ash's face went from being stunned, to shock, and then sadness.

"Are you sure about this Pikachu?" Ash asked finally. The little Pokémon nodded, and Ash sighed. "And I can't change your mind?" Pikachu shook his head. "I'll remember you buddy. You've been the best friend…" Ash turned away, wiping at his eyes, while Pikachu looked on, trying not to cry himself. Ash stood up and strode away. He needed some time alone before he spoke to the rest of his Pokémon.

"So why have you come back after all this time…" Ash mused. "Why has Professor Oak brought you here… And not just you…"

"Mum, I'm leaving again." Ash said. Delia Ketchum turned around to look at her only son in surprise.

"Where are you going this time?" She asked.

"I'm not sure." Ash answered. "I'm not going running off to a new region… After what happened in Sinnoh I want to get better. I'm going to leave to do some training."

Delia's face showed surprise at his words. This wasn't something she was expecting.

"Who will you travel with?" She asked.

"I'm not planning on travelling Mum." Ash said. "I'm going to find somewhere to settle. Get stronger. Then I'll start again."

"I see." Delia said. "When will you leave?"

"Tomorrow." Ash said. "Now I've decided I want to get to it as quickly as possible."

Ash turned away and left the room, Pikachu at his side, leaving his mother gazing after him.

"Mum…" Ash muttered. "Why would he bring you here? To make me see you? But… Will he bring the others? Can I face them?"

Ash stood up, and slammed his fist into the tree which crashed to the ground, the noise echoing around the small forest. He turned and stalked away from it, his thoughts in turmoil. They would have reached the house by now, he thought. Sam and Mellanie would be surprised, confused even. Could he return home and try to get them to leave?

Even as he considered it, Ash knew it wasn't possible. He could hide behind his title, try to make it so that his mother couldn't see his face. But his voice? She might still recognize it. She was his mother after all. In any extended conversation she would work it out… Maybe he could try just talking to Oak to get rid of her… Ash smacked his palm against his head. He couldn't believe he was trying to hide from his mother again. He knew when he returned he would most likely have to face her.

Ash chuckled slightly. He had faced armies, fought against a horde of legendary Pokémon, and argued with Arceus himself. Yet going home to face up to his mother was something that he couldn't face.

In his mind, Espeon's voice spoke out.

"Ash, I'm sorry but we need you back here."

Ash blinked as a roar echoed across the island. His head snapped around, looking at his house. He would recognize that roar anywhere. Charizard.

"Charizard is losing it. Pikachu is here… Ash, I don't know what to do." Espeon's voice had a note of panic. For all her training this was something she had never had to deal with. None of them had. He turned and started moving back towards his house. His decision had, it seemed, been made for him.

"I'm on my way." Ash sent silently to Espeon. "Try not to let him destroy my house."

A few moments later Ash felt a shockwave of power radiate from his house. It felt like a mental shout. He recognized Espeon's voice, but the power surprised him. Charizard was angrier than he thought. Understanding why Espeon had called for him, he quickened his stride.

As Ash strode into the clearing behind his house he saw Charizard turn back to the house and growl something. He stopped a few metres away from Charizard, and waited. A few moments passed before his trademark Pokémon realized he was there. Charizard turned slowly to meet his master's gaze.

"Charizard." Ash said, his voice deathly calm. "What are you doing?"

The flame on Charizard's tail dropped noticeably as he heard Ash's level tone. Not angry, but not pleased. He stepped away from the house, moving back down the lawn, his head bowed slightly.

"Charizard." Ash's voice rang out again. "Thank you."

The Pokémon looked up at his master to see Ash gazing at him. Charizard nodded his head once, before turning away again. No more words were needed from Ash, Charizard always knew what he meant. The strength of the bond between them meant that. Ash turned back to his house, to see another Pokémon he had once shared a similar bond with.

Ash stepped into the room and gestured for Sam and Mellanie to return to their seats. Pikachu cuddled next to Mellanie, still shaking from his ordeal. Outwardly Ash was perfectly calm as he removed his hat and walked into the corridor.

"Would you like to come back in?" He asked Oak and Delia. "I assure you, my Pokémon will not harm you."

Oak started to move, but Delia didn't. She was frozen in place, staring at Ash. Oak turned back around to look at her.

"Delia, come on through."

She didn't move. A lone tear ran out from her eye, running down her face and dropping to the floor. Ash stood, motionless, watching his mother as shock, then disbelief and finally hope crossed her face.

"Ash?"

As the Pokémon Master nodded, she threw herself at him, sobbing into his chest as she hugged him. Ash stood in shock, before slowly, gingerly his arms went around his mother.

"Come in." Cynthia called in response to the knock on her door. The door opened and Tobias was led in, an Officer Jenny behind him.

"Please wait outside." Cynthia said to the policewoman who nodded and left again. Cynthia gestured to a seat for Tobias, who took it.

"Thank you for coming." Cynthia said, which made Tobias chuckle.

"I'm not certain I had much of a choice." He said. "Being arrested and held does seem to do that to you."

Cynthia smiled. "I wanted to speak to you about what will happen. Particularly with regards to what you've done."

"My crimes you mean?" Tobias asked.

"Yes." Cynthia answered. "There is no precedent that we can use here, nobody has ever been charged with anything similar. However, firstly I wish to know how you intend to plead."

"I wasn't aware you could demand that from me." Tobias said lightly.

"I can't." Cynthia said. "I'm asking politely. If you do not wish to tell me, you don't have to."

Tobias sighed. "I'll be pleading guilty Cynthia. I need to face up to what I've done."

"I see." Cynthia said, typing at her keyboard. "If you don't mind me asking, why the change? You weren't particularly enamoured with me last time we met."

Tobias smiled tightly. "I… wasn't myself. Something happened with the Pokémon I captured. And something happened with the Pokémon Master when we fought."

Cynthia leaned forwards slightly. "What happened there?"

"I really don't think I can tell you." Tobias said. "Not least, I'm not entirely sure. But…" he sighed again. "I owe 'Champion' my life. I nearly died there Cynthia. And if the rest of that life is spent in jail, then I probably deserve it."

Eventually Ash gently eased his mother's arms away from himself. She looked up into his face, tears still running down her own. Her hand slowly moved up to his face, tracing the lines of his cheekbones, before they reached up to his eyes. Her hand fell away, her gaze questioning the darkness in her son's eye, but Ash made no motion to answer. Delia tried to hug her son close again, but he instinctively pulled away. After a moment Ash gestured to the door behind him, leading to the room which Professor Oak had quietly slipped in to give Ash time with his mother. She nodded slightly and followed him. In the room Sam and Mellanie were sat with their Pokémon, chatting quietly to Oak. They looked up as Ash entered the room.

"Take a seat." Ash said. Then after a moment's hesitation. "Mum."

A smile broke out across Delia's tearstained face as the word registered. Across the room there was a cry. Ash spun, to see Pikachu shooting across the room. As he reached his old trainer, Pikachu sat back on his haunches to stare at Ash, who looked back down, his face expressionless. After a long pause, Ash turned back to the group.

"Please excuse me one moment. Pikachu…" Ash took a deep breath. "Come with me."

Ash walked out of the room, Pikachu following behind him. On the grass outside his house every single one of his Pokémon stood, staring at him and Pikachu, waiting. As Ash reached them he turned to gaze at Pikachu. Behind him, Espeon moved forwards to be by his side, while Meganium stretched a vine out towards him. Despite everything he had gone through with his Pokémon, the fierce loyalty shown by them all, in times of difficult emotions, Ash was still closest to Meganium and Espeon.

"Eight years Pikachu." Ash said, his voice distant. "Nearly eight years since you left. Eight years since you walked out of my life, taking my friends with you. Eight years since I resigned myself to never seeing my mother again. Eight long years. This team you see before you has bonded over that time, become more powerful than you would ever think possible. And now you're back. What can we do for you?"

Pikachu stared in disbelief. His old trainer was treating him as he would a wild Pokémon, not an old friend. Looking at the obvious bond between Ash and his Pokémon, Pikachu had a terrible thought. He had left years ago because he felt the training would destroy Ash. He feared that he would be forced to watch the kind trainer that he had known turn dark, no longer caring. Looking at how his Pokémon treated him, it was obvious that had never happened. And Pikachu had been wrong for all these years.

"I… I'm sorry." Pikachu said. Espeon translated for Ash, who nodded slightly, but continued to look expectantly at Pikachu. "I was wrong. And I want to come back. I should never have left."

Ash continued to gaze at Pikachu, before he raised his arm. Pikachu fought the urge to shrink back as he felt power flowing from Ash. However as he looked around, all he could see was a small red bottle floating towards his old trainer's hand. Pikachu's ears shot up. Ash knelt down, the bottle of ketchup in his hand.

"Pikachu, you are not strong enough to re-join my team." Ash said quietly. "And I could train you, but I don't want to risk you getting disillusioned again. You may stay and you may train, but I strongly suggest you do not attempt to fight any of my Pokémon. Some of them will not forgive you so quickly." Ash rolled the bottle towards Pikachu who picked it up in disbelief.

"Just like that?" he asked. "You're not even angry?"

Ash smiled slightly. "Pikachu, do you not remember my words on the day that you left? I said I would remember what we achieved together. And not a day has gone past where I have not thought of you. If you want back, you are welcome Pikachu."

The small electric type threw himself forwards at his trainer who caught him. Pikachu buried himself into Ash's still damp chest, adding his own tears to those of Delia Ketchum. Behind Ash there was a slight growl, causing the Pokémon Master to whip around.

"My word on this is final." He said, his gaze on Charizard, who held his gaze for a long moment before the Flame Pokémon stepped back, bowing his head in acknowledgement. Ash turned to the rest of his Pokémon. "Welcome Pikachu back, and make him at home. I will be inside the house. Do not make me come out to argue with you."

Under Ash's gaze the Pokémon quietly dispersed. Some returned to training, while Espeon prowled forwards with Meganium at her side. Pikachu looked at them as Ash placed him back onto the ground.

"Come with me." Espeon said quietly to Pikachu. "I'll show you where you sleep. There is a place for you. There always has been."

Ash sat back down in his chair, looking across at the room. His gaze fell on his mother, who looked so old. His mind filled with all the times he could have gone home. Times that he had been near Pallet Town and considered going to see how she was. As with his Pokémon, not a day had gone past when he hadn't thought about his mother. Yet despite all that, he knew he had only been to Pallet Town once in the previous seven years; when he had wandered across Professor Oak's ranch and laboratory as part of his inspection of the Pokémon League. Yet he hadn't gone to see his mother. And yet she didn't seem angry. He couldn't understand it, and didn't really know what to say. For one of the first times in a long time, Ash was lost for words.

Professor Oak opened his mouth to talk, but nothing came out. Ash and Delia were gazing at each other from across the room, neither speaking. He took a deep breath, was about to speak then looked into Ash's eyes. While they were still trained on his mother, Oak could see the emotion that was raging inside his one active eye. And the words caught in the elderly researcher's throat and died.

Finally Ash wrenched his gaze away from his mother, and looked at Sam and Mellanie. "It is time for you two to return to your training" he said, his voice perfectly level. "Professor, why don't you go with them? I'm sure you'd enjoy a chance to inspect their Pokémon."

Under Ash's gaze, none of the trio felt arguing appropriate. They quietly left the room, heading out to the garden where they quickly vanished out of sight, the door shutting itself behind them. Delia was still staring at her son, almost trying to assure herself that he was real. That he wasn't gone. As he turned his gaze back on her, she remembered the last time she had seen his eyes, the brown colour which had still been in them. The colour which had been leeched out by the years. She remembered the time that she'd been told he was dead. How Professor Oak had held her as she cried. And when he had gone, how she had stood at her window, looking out to where Ash had left, the tears still rolling down her face. The pain of all the years rushed back. A thought crept into her mind; how could he have left? Yet as she looked into his eyes she saw the pain she felt mirrored in his gaze. The pain of years of loss, coming back to haunt them. She couldn't blame him, not only was he her son, she knew that he had suffered just as much.

As Ash met his mother's eyes he too saw the pain in her eyes. But he could see further, see the hope behind the pain. The hope that her life could return to how it once was. With her son to care for and look after. Finally, after the long silence, Ash spoke.

"In eight years, I never stopped wondering." He said. Delia's eyes widened slightly at the sound of his voice, but otherwise she made no move. "I wondered what home was like. I wondered how my friends were. How you were." Ash's eyes lost focus slightly as he became lost in his words. "I never stopped thinking about you. When I learned to cook properly, I remembered how you always cooked meals. When I got ill I remembered being a child with you caring for me. And when I found a new Pokémon I remembered how excited Pikachu would be."

Delia just stared as her son spoke, his voice calm, almost emotionless. This was not how she had anticipated seeing him, even in her wildest dreams.

"But that was a long time ago." Ash said, his gaze wandering around the room. "I learnt how to cook well. I learnt how to stay healthy. And I grew up. Capturing a new Pokémon was no longer an incredible thing. I remember every single Pokémon I've ever captured, but it was no longer the same. It no longer put me on a high for weeks. I just cared for them and helped them grow and develop."

Ash turned his eyes back onto his mother fully. "I've changed in the time I've been gone." He said. "But in all those years apart, I never forgot who I left behind, or how they made me what I am."

Smoothly Ash rose to his feet and held his arms out once again, and in a moment his mother was in them again, crying as she held her son at long last.

A/N

So… I'm late again. But my proof-reader was busy so you can blame her. Anyway, better late than never and all that.

Just to clarify something (Although credit to AJishere for pointing this out in a review); Ash is not going to catch a legendary. If you want to know why, go back 2 chapters.

Aside from that, all there is left to do is to set the date for the next (And quite possibly last!) chapter. It's not going to be this Friday, because there is no chance I'll finish it by then, so I'll aim for a week after that.

Till then,
Iama2p