Well, we are officially entering the last week with Ash as the anime protagonist. I'm already dreading the end of this week, and I know a lot of you are feeling the same. So, I decided to share a story now that I've written in recognition of Ash's time as our beloved hero from Pallet Town to bring some light to everyone!
Always There
Sitting alone on a gliding bench in her grandmother's backyard, Elizabeth Ketchum stared up at the sky, watching the sunset. It was a beautiful summer evening in Pallet Town, and despite her best efforts, the girl wasn't really enjoying it. There was just too much on her mind for her to relax and appreciate the scenery.
She was so consumed that she didn't even notice her father taking a seat beside her, only flinching when he held a pink mochi out in front of her.
"I saved a strawberry one for you," Ash commented. "I know they're your favorites! And it was the last one, so I practically had to fight your Aunt Daisy for it."
Smirking, Elizabeth took the treat from her father. "Thanks, Daddy."
The girl took a small bite of the treat, chewing it slowly. Sensing that something was bothering his trainer's daughter, Pikachu crawled off of Ash's shoulder and onto Elizabeth's lap, rubbing himself against her the way he had since she was a baby. Her smile strengthening ever so slightly, Elizabeth polished off the rest of the mochi in a single bite so she could pet Pikachu, who chattered happily in response.
"He's trying to cheer you up. I think it's working!"
Elizabeth glanced up at her father and raised an eyebrow. "Who said I'm sad?"
"No one," Ash replied. "But it's pretty obvious. I mean, you're not usually so quiet, and you're almost never sitting by yourself, especially during a party. So…I kind of figured something's up."
His daughter scowled. She hated how obvious it was when something was bothering her. Her mother and sister were the exact same way, and neither one of them was ever able to get it past Ash either. Once again, however, Pikachu was quick to intervene. He stood up on his hind legs and licked Elizabeth's cheek, causing her to giggle.
"Why don't you tell me what's bothering you?"
Elizabeth groaned and hugged Pikachu. "I don't know."
"Why not?"
Shifting her eyes away from her father, Elizabeth muttered, "I'm afraid."
"Afraid?" Ash repeated. "To tell me?"
Slowly, Elizabeth nodded her head.
"How come?"
Still refusing to look at her father, Elizabeth muttered, "I don't want you to think I'm being a baby."
Ash blinked. "Lizzie, I would never think you're being a baby! If something is bothering you, then obviously it's important. It doesn't matter what it is, all I want to do is help you! So…wanna tell me?"
She remained silent for a little while longer. And then, hugging Pikachu just a little tighter, Elizabeth admitted, "I'm scared to leave on my journey."
"I see," Ash breathed, inching closer to his daughter. "How come?"
"Cause I've never been by myself," Elizabeth replied. "I've always had you and Mommy, ever since I was a baby! I don't know what to do without you guys. And…I'll miss you a lot."
Ash smiled sympathetically. "We'll miss you a lot too, sweetie. Mommy and I love you more than anything. But I also know that you'll be just fine without us!"
Elizabeth furrowed her brow. "How?"
"Because you said it yourself: we've been with you your whole life," Ash explained. "We've always known this day was going to come, and we wanted you to be ready. And even though you're scared, you're still ready. Know why?"
Twisting her mouth, Elizabeth shook her head.
"You're confident, and you're brave, and you're smart," Ash continued. "Mommy and I encouraged that, but really, it was all you! We saw it from the time you were really little, and all we did was nudge you in the right direction. But you had those things in you all along. That's how I know you'll be okay on your own."
"Pi-ka!"
Ash chuckled at his partner's exuberant cry. "See? Pikachu agrees!"
Elizabeth giggled and buried her nose in Pikachu's fur. "Okay, I get it. But…even if you think I'm ready…I'm still going to miss you."
"That's okay," Ash murmured, pulling his daughter against his side. "Missing us doesn't make you any less prepared, and it definitely doesn't make you a baby. Just know that even when you're far away from us, we're always there for you."
"You are?" Elizabeth squeaked, glancing up at her father.
"Yeah!" Ash exclaimed. "No matter where you go, we're always with you. Even when you can't see us! Whenever you think of us, and whenever you do something that we taught you or that reminds you of us, we're there."
A small smile appeared on Elizabeth's face. "Got it."
"Also, technology is way different now than when I was your age," Ash laughed. "You can pull out your Rotom Phone and give us a call whenever you want! You can even see us on your little screen."
Elizabeth smirked and rolled her eyes. "Daddy, you never pick up your phone!"
"What?!" Ash gasped. "Yes, I do!"
"No, you don't!" Elizabeth giggled. "Even Mommy has to call you like a hundred times before you actually answer. Right, Pikachu?"
The little mouse seemed hesitant to respond, but finally did so with an apprehensive, "kachu."
"Ugh, fine," Ash groaned rather dramatically. "Maybe I am bad at it. But I don't always have it on me! Sometimes I just put it down and forget where I left it. I promise that when I do have my phone, if I see your name pop up, I will pick it up right away. And if I don't, you can just assume I don't have it, and you can call Mommy. Then she'll yell at me and I'll call you back."
"You promise?" Elizabeth practically whispered, only smirking at her father's "joke."
"Yeah, I promise," Ash chuckled, wrapping his daughter into a hug and squeezing her tight. "I'll always be here for you, Lizzie. No matter what."
Elizabeth hugged him back before jumping to her feet, still holding Pikachu in her arms. "Thanks for making me feel better, Daddy. You're the best!"
"Aw, thanks!" Ash crowed, standing up himself and patting the girl's shoulder. "And so are you."
Giggling, Elizabeth took one last look at the setting sun before turning her gaze back towards her grandmother's house. "Should we go back inside?"
"Good idea," Ash agreed. "We don't want to worry everyone!"
Nodding happily, Elizabeth scurried towards the back stairs, hopping up the steps while she chatted cheerfully with Pikachu.
As Elizabeth slid open the back door, Ash looked away from his daughter to stare up at the sky himself. The sun was just disappearing out of view behind the trees of Pallet Town, leaving the sky a dark orange color…very similar to the hue of Elizabeth's hair. He thought about all the times he'd watched the sunset when he was a trainer himself, and how long ago those years seemed.
And yet, he could remember almost every day of it so vividly.
The friends he'd made, both Pokémon and human. The places he'd seen. The battles he'd had. The many, many losses and the many, many wins.
The memories came flooding back all at once, and he smiled boldly to himself. Those moments…they had made him who he was today. Shaped the life he had now. And he was sure it would do the same for his daughter.
"Elizabeth will be fine. I know it."
And with that, Ash turned away from the sky and made his way back into his mother's house, closing the door behind him as he rejoined his family.
I wanted to write this one in such a way where Elizabeth kind of represents those of us who have grown up watching Ash, so it feels like he's talking directly to us, even though in actuality he's reassuring his daughter. And of course, both of them looking at the sunset to represent the end of an era.
Since a few of you have asked, I do just want to let you all know I will not be watching the new series. Honestly, getting through Journeys was kind of rough sometimes (especially with the way Netflix has been distributing it, which has been an absolute nightmare) but I stuck around because I really enjoyed Ash's storyline. Nothing that's been revealed about the new series has interested me at all, so I feel comfortable tapping out. Just wanted to let you all know so you won't be expecting any of the new characters in my stories, as I will not be incorporating them.
But as I said before, I will still be writing! I've already got a bunch of different story ideas, both for this series and for separate fics as well, that I'm very excited about. Stay tuned!
