"Toge?"

A Togetic perked up, sensing something terrible coming. Seems like she wasn't the only one. A few other Togetic perked up too. This was the Togepi Paradise, protected by Misty's Togetic. But several of the Togepi had evolved into Togetic and the eldest had evolved into a Togekiss. The Togekiss flew over to Misty's Togetic. She seemed to be sensing the same thing. She seemed to have nodded to the guardian. It was time. The guardian seemed to have understood and made itself a portal. She knew what she had to do. She had to find Mama.

...

Pikachu, Buneary, and Piplup were starting to sense it too. Ash and Dawn both perked up.

Dawn asked, "Piplup? Buneary?"

Ash asked, "Pikachu?"

Misty frowned, "Their faces look familiar."

Brock agreed, "Yeah, they do."

Brandon turned to Anabel and Looker, "Didn't you two have news?"

Anabel explained, "Yes Mr. Nanu had told us that the temperature in Alola, near the Wela Volcano Park had been increasing."

Looker added, "We originally thought that Solgaleo had been up there but that didn't make any sense."

Lillie was admittedly worried about Solgaleo. She had a feeling that the Psychic/Steel type had gone back to Ultra Space with Lunala. Gladion saw her face.

He asked, "Worried about Nebby?"

Lillie answered, "Yeah but I'm pretty sure it went back to Ultra Space with Lunala. So it couldn't be our suspect here."

Looker stated, "Oh, we know. We think Moltres is hiding there."

Lucy frowned, "Moltres?"

Anabel confirmed, "Yes and not just any Moltres. The one you and your friends encountered years ago."

Tracey started to say, "You mean where..."

Anabel interrupted, nodding, "Where Lawrence was starting to collect the legendary birds."

To that, everyone paled.

Daisy pointed out, "But isn't, like, he still in jail?"

Looker stated, "You are right Daisy but we don't want to rule anything out."

Melody told them, "Lugia did ask for the trio to go hide elsewhere since Shamouti was no longer safe. And to take their treasures with them."

Rudy commented, "So we at least know where Moltres is. Just in case things start going south."

Mahri turned to Melody, "Guess you practicing for hours on end might be coming in handy."

To that, Melody blushed.

Lily said, "But we only know where Moltres is. Won't we also, like, need to know where the others are too?"

Before anyone could say anything, Looker's Pokenav rang.

He answered, "Hello?"

Nanu said, "Looker. Anabel."

Anabel blinked, "Mr. Nanu!"

Nanu stated, "Heads up. We've got an airship heading towards Lumiose City in Kalos."

Clemont was confused, "Why would someone be headed towards our hometown?"

Bonnie thought for a moment, "Wasn't there a lot of surges of power there before we left...?"

Serena confirmed, "Bonnie's right. Maybe Zapdos is there."

Ash stated, "I think we ought to split up. If this is really starting again, I'll need more help."

Pikachu said, "Pika pi."

Piplup said, "Piplup!"

Buneary said, "Bun!"

Nanu commented, "Good luck kid."

With that, he hung up.

Professor Kukuki asked, "Want us to check out Wela Volcano Park?"

Ash answered, "Yes please. And be careful."

Professor Kukui nodded as the Alola group headed out first.

Goh asked, "Where do you want us to go?"

Ash told them, "I would rather some groups hang back. We still need to find Articuno and Lugia."

Chloe stated, "We could do that."

Ash regarded, "Thanks."

Clemont told Ash, "Then we'll head out to Lumiose City."

Ash said, "Thanks Clemont. Be careful."

To that, he nodded. Bonnie and Serena followed him. Serena had a blush on her face when Clemont passed by her. Misty saw that and grabbed Serena real quickly.

Misty whispered, "Tell him!"

Serena yelped, "Right now? While we're on a mission?"

Misty stated, "You'll regret it if you don't."

Serena replied, "Speaking from experience much?" To that, Misty didn't deny it. She added, "Look, my crush on Ash ended a long time ago. When I realized that he had feelings for someone else, it took me a while to move on. And when I started to, Clemont was there for me." She blushed again, "And you know something? I'm glad. It means you can finally ask him who he has feelings for."

Serena gave Misty a quick hug before running off to catch up with Clemont and Bonnie. Misty knew that she was right but how was she going to ask... Before she could say anything, that's when they saw the weather changing. It was starting to rain. The population of Pallet Town ran off inside.

Delia stated, "I can't believe that this is happening again." Ash hugged his mom. Delia returned the hug, starting to cry. Ash rubbed her back, holding her close. She sniffled, "I miss your father."

Ash admitted, "Me too."

Pikachu looked up at the two humans sadly. None outside of Pallet Town actually knew what had happened to David Ketchum. Not even Misty knew.

Iris was very hesitant in asking her question, "So, if I'm asking the wrong thing, just let me know. But uh..." She paused as she played with her hands. She looked Delia in the eyes and finally asked, "What happened to your husband? Ash's father?"

Delia looked at her son for a minute, the tears in her eyes. There were tears in Ash's eyes too. Professor Oak looked at the two, as if he was seeking permission to tell the group. It was Delia who nodded.

The professor answered, "He died...a long time ago. When Ash, Gary, and Erika were all three years old. He had cancer."

...

Everyone was oddly quiet. They had no idea. Misty placed her hand on Ash's shoulder. Ash looked at her, sniffling. Misty gave him a small smile.

She admitted, "At least you remember your father. I...barely remember mine."

Daisy started to say, "Misty..."

Misty looked to her oldest sister, seeing the sad look on her face. Lily and Violet had the same look.

Gary asked, "I hate to ask but what happened to your parents anyways, red?"

Misty looked at him, back to her sisters, and then back to him. Daisy placed her hand on her little sister's shoulder.

Daisy answered, "Our mom was in a bad accident. And our father tried everything to help us but...he eventually left."

Erika raised a brow, "He just left?"

To that, Daisy just nodded very sadly. Tracey was instantly at her side.

Daisy sniffled, "Sorry, I don't like talking about our parents much."

Erika understood that so she just nodded. She decided to change the subject, "So...what now?"

Ash sniffled, "Not sure, Erika. Not sure."

...

Wishmaker1028: This is in a different universe where Ash's father just dies from natural causes. I liked doing that better. Please read and review! And always think outside of the box!