Back from my Break. And with a Christmas present. A Christmas-ish chapter to lighten the mood.
Delia Ketchum frowned as her eyes scanned the poster before her.
It depicted the faces of three young ladies wearing perfect smiles, advertising a passionate watershow featuring aquabatics, a captivating love story, and fantastic music. Aquatic Pokémon stood at the edges, their pose stuck mid-dance. Yet marring the poster was a red and white sheet of plastic with the words "ALL SHOWS CANCELED" written on it.
Near that were other similar posters, all of them other performances that had to be delayed or canceled. The only poster that was spared the wave of cancellations was one that showed an orange haired girl dressed as a mermaid. Delia sucked in her tears, knowing that the girl in that image would never return.
Even though Cerulean Gym seemed bright and happy with its gigantic plastic Dewgong over the colorful front entrance, the woman could see the unrest that bubbled beneath the surface. Those poor girls. Professor Oak was right to send her.
Hoping to do what she could, the woman walked past the posters and towards the Gym's back entrance, which led into the Gym's private residential section. The single mother pressed the button and rang the doorbell.
The sound of something metallic falling reverberated from behind the door.
The door suddenly opened and a girl with hot pink hair stumbled forward, her face turned back into the room. "See, I told you she'd- Wait, who are you?" the girl asked as soon as her eyes met with Delia's.
The two other girls in the room turned to look at the woman, a crestfallen expression on their faces.
Delia knew she wasn't what they expected. "My name is Delia Ketchum. You've met my son, Ash."
"Oh, yeah…. Him…" The pink haired girl looked down and shook her head before turning to face the woman yet again. "My name is Lily."
"Daisy," said the blonde haired girl answered in a polite tone. "Why don't you come in?"
"And you can call me Violet," said the girl with the indigo colored hair.
Delia accepted their invitation and walked inside the living room and took a seat upon a couch "How are you young ladies feeling?" she asked. Though, the young woman felt like she knew the answer already.
"Oh, we're doing absolutely fine," Violet offered a cheery tone.
"Nothing's… wrong," Daisy added, though her tone indicated a hint of hesitation.
Lily, the last, turned a harsh look at her older sister and then moved towards Delia. "So, what brings you here? It's a long way from Pallet Town. That's where you're from, right?"
"Oh? I simply wanted to check up on you, because-"
"We're fine," Violet emphasized, without prompting.
"There's no problems we can't face… together," Lily added, her voice trailing on that word.
Yet, as much as the girls wanted to insist on there being no problems, Delia could make out several signs that things were not so clean. For one, the closest coffee table was saturated with piles upon piles of takeout boxes. Another sign appeared to be the fact that the girls hadn't bothered to comb their hair or change out of their nightwear. At least one of them didn't even brush their teeth. And all over the floor were several stuffed Pokédolls in kimonos, though the significance of the last was lost on the woman.
While the single mother hadn't met these young ladies before, she knew enough both from the posters and from the small chats she had with Misty that they valued their appearances. Now, said appearances were slowly wasting away.
Delia felt that they already knew what happened to their dear sister, but they were avoiding the topic to provide them some comfort. She had to be cautious, lest her efforts to reach out would be met with hostility. "So, about Misty-"
"If you want to talk to her, the runt will be right back… eventually" Lily responded, a fearful tremble and a desperate rage in her voice. "A shipwreck didn't stop her and neither is getting her blimp lost in a storm! She'll be here and walk through those doors, just you wait!"
Said last time was the S.S. Anne, in which Delia had received a phone call about her son having died when the ship sank, only to receive a follow phone call not ten minutes later about her son having been found alive. However, unlike last time, time has moved ever onward. "You believe she's alive?"
"She'll be back!" Lily insisted, tears spilled from her eyes. "Whoever heard of a Water-type specialist drowning? That's unreal! It's impossible!"
Delia tried very hard not to look skeptical. The strange part was not only that Lily seemed to accept that Misty had been lost at sea, but that her sister was still alive, out there. While the single mother had come to know that her Ash had survived through many near impossible situations, especially the S.S. Anne, this seemed outright impossible now.
"Misty can't be dead, Miss Ketchum." Violet slowly grabbed onto her sister's hand.
Daisy looked like she wanted to say something, but instead she turned her face away.
Delia looked the girls in their eyes and knew that they were suffering. They didn't want to accept the reality, but no matter what the woman had to reach them. "Girls, you aren't helping yourselves, you have to-"
"No," Lily cut her off, her voice raw. "...I just know she will!"
"But when will Misty come back to us?" This time it was Daisy who spoke, her tone drained of all emotion. "She hasn't returned a phone call, not since her blimp crashed."
"It'll be any day now." Lily continued to weep, but it was clear that she was slowly breaking down. "Any day now, she'll… swim from the ocean depths and then she'll come back here and be mad at us for not having a proper Gym Challenge, like always!"
It became clear to Delia that the girl wanted to desperately maintain the belief that nothing was going to change, that things were going to return back to the status quo any day now. It pained the single mother to do this, but she had to make the girl open her eyes. She wasn't going to make any progress if she tried to force them to confront the truth, not while they weren't ready.
"Are things at the Gym okay?" Delia chose to ask about their current problems and if they were willing to talk about them.
"Yes… no…" Violet thought aloud. "I mean, they could be better. Why'd you ask?"
Delia turned a glance at the pile of weeks old takeout boxes. "You've been closed for around twenty or so days? Professor Oak sent me to find out.
"Really?" Violet blinked. "I mean, why'd he take an interest?"
"Some friends of his thought to ask the Professor since he knew Ash and Misty directly," Delia answered, hoping that being honest would help. Said friends were members of the Pokémon League administration. "And because I knew your sister, Professor Oak thought it would be a good idea to introduce myself."
"Huh, okay…" the girl seemed to accept that. "Things have been… rough without Misty. She usually gives us a phonecall at least one a week, but you know, she's… not here."
"I see." Delia said. "And what does she normally call you about?"
"Oh, nothing much, just whether or not we gave out badges 'properly' or if the Pokémon in the Gym were doing well. She often shouted at us if we just gave out badges to people who wanted to help clean the aquarium or pools." Lily frowned. "We may not have cleaned the Gym in a while."
That elicited an embarrassed chuckle from the other girls.
To Delia, it was a good sign. It showed that they hadn't completely shut themselves out; they could still laugh. "So, Misty wouldn't approve of the Gym's current state."
"She'd approve of the lack of water shows," Violet replied bitterly. "But if she came by, I don't think she'd like what she saw."
"It… might be a while before visits," Daisy added. "Misty wouldn't want to come home to all of this mess."
Lily and Violet averted their gazes and looked away, both ashamed of their Gym's current state.
"Yeah," VIolet admitted. "It's also a good thing no one came by to see the mess inside, since the sign has made it clear we're not accepting visitors…"
Lily gave the single mother an awkward smile. "Present company excluded of course."
That made Delia wonder if they'd seen anyone else in the past month. "You haven't had any guests?"
"I mean, there were a few people who may have tried to visit, mostly challengers who didn't get the memo or the neighbors," answered Daisy.
And it sounded like they turned all of those visitors away. Knowing she had to go further, Delia added a more specific question. "So, have you gone to visit your neighbors?"
"Not in a while," Violet answered.
"Have you been out of the Gym?" Delia pressed.
"Well, of course!" Lily said. Though as she said that, she immediately deflated, "But only to get take out boxes."
This at least made Delia's course of actions clear. Before anything else, the girls needed to get out of the Gym and clear their heads. Simply allowing them to stay here, allowing misery wasn't going to let them recover; they needed a fresh break, preferably one where they ran into people they knew, people who could help them.
"You know, I nearly got lost trying to get here," Delia told them. It wasn't a lie either. "Cerulean City is so much bigger than I remember, that I kept getting confused about where everything is.
"You were here before?" Daisy perked an eyebrow.
"Nearly twenty years ago. Back then, Cerulean wasn't that much different from how Pallet Town is now." Delia answered. "But there's so many tall buildings everywhere."
"Oh, yeah, I guess it would be a big change," Lily mused. "You probably would be lost if you weren't used to being here."
And with that, Delia chose to leverage the girl's words. "I wouldn't mind exploring the city, but I think I'd like some locals to guide me." She then flashed them a smile, before they could suggest anyone else. "Would you girls like to escort me?" Because, after all; it's bit more difficult to refuse someone who was right in front of you.
"I- uh." Lily struggled with her words
"We'd be delighted to!" Daisy promptly answered.
The other girls turned to glance at their eldest.
"I came by the beach when I entered; it seemed like a good day," Delia urged.
"... I mean, I suppose it would be," Lily said.
"The beach does sound nice," Violet answered.
The young woman then chose this to finalize their plans. "So, it's decided them. You girls will take me on a tour around your gorgeous City and then we'll spent the rest of the day on the beach!"
Both Lily and Violet furrowed their brows as they thought about it. Though, it seemed neither of them looked like they were going to refuse.
"Sure, I guess we can do that." Lily looked down at herself and noticed that her clothes were ill suited for being out in public. "I think I'm going to need to change first. I can't go out looking like this."
"Same." Violet agreed.
Both girls promptly ran out of the room, presumably to their bed rooms.
The last sister, Daisy, looked down at herself as she took a seat by the grown woman. "That went better than I hoped. They still don't want to admit it, but we all know Misty… might not come back."
Delia nodded her head. "It'll take some time for them to work through everything, but getting them out of the house would work for that.
"... Why are you really here?" Fear laced Daisy's question.
Delia nodded her head. "He really thought that I could help you."
"And so you have." Daisy gave a small smile. "I think we're tired of being here, but none of us could muster the strength to just… leave."
"I can understand," Delia said. After all, she had grieved loss before.
The blonde nodded her head. "Hey, can you stay a bit longer? It's been a long time since we had, well, a Mom around. You know, since… our mom left us."
"Hm," Delia hummed to herself. Just how long would it be okay for her to stay? She'd have to call Mimey about the change in plans, but the girls might need more help. "If you're sure. I'll stick around"
Daisy nodded her head and rose to her feet. She shed a tear. "Thank you, Miss Ketchum." And then she walked away, likely to prepare for the day's outing.
Now that she was alone, Delia Ketchum wondered if the reason Professor Oak had sent her away was not just for the sake of Misty's sisters, but for her own as well. The loss of her one and only son still felt like a gaping wound in her heart, but experience has taught her that time and company helped mend even the worst that life could throw at her.
Hopefully, those lessons would help these girls.
She just hoped her son wouldn't be lonely wherever he was now.
He had family here.
By the time it was morning, Ash had come to terms with the revelation Zorua - Cinder - had voiced to him last night.
It was startling at first: so startling that the Riolu had apparently passed out for the whole night. But as he thought about it more and more, Ash couldn't help but feel a little excited at meeting the Pokémon side of his family. A part of him worried of what they might think of him if he ever revealed the fact he had been born and raised as a human, but they were still his family! He knew some scant bits about his father, but he knew practically nothing about anyone else. This was his chance; he wanted, needed, to know more about them.
But as he thought about his unknown family some more, his thoughts drifted towards the one person in his family he did know: his mom. It had been… fifty days since he had last spoken to her.
"You okay?" Misty spoke, an atypical note of concern in her voice.
Ash saw no reason to lie. "I… sort of miss my mom. This is the longest I've ever been unable to even call her on the phone."
Within the guest room, everyone had one final meal before they left Cinder's home. Porridge served as breakfast. Misty simply sat right next to Ash, and nodded her head solemnly. "I know what that feels like."
"You do?" Ash blinked. He then felt a tingle of jealousy hidden deep within the Buizel before he realized that Misty hadn't spoken to her parents in a very long while. "Oh, I mean… Sorry, I mean, I forgot."
"It's fine," Misty sighed as he chomped on a bit of porridge. "You're very lucky. You have a very good mom, Ash."
"Thanks." The Riolu detected a swell of sadness mixed in Misty's words; without his ability to sense emotions, he might have completely missed out on what everyone else felt and said something he shouldn't.
"...I just kind of wish Mom was here, you know with us," the Riolu admitted as he poked at his porridge. "After everything we learned, it's… still so much. Mom was a pokemon. And she had a family here, a family she left behind. I want my family to be together."
"A lot of things would have been easier if we did have a Lucario with us," Misty agreed as she patted a still healing bruise to make a point. "We might have had an easier time if Zoroark knew who you were."
"What about you?" Ash asked. "...Would you wish anyone in your family was here, too?"
"I don't know. I'd wish Mom and Dad were here, but that's more me wishing they were still alive. I do know that they'd love being here, especially if they were Water-types, too," Misty admitted as she placed a finger on her lip. "As for my sisters, I don't think I'd want them here."
"I don't know. They made you dress up as a mermaid, it might have been funny to see them turning into aquatic weasels," Ash proposed.
A slight giggle escaped from the Buizel's lips before she clamped on her mouth. "They'd enjoy it," Misty commented. "Once they were over the shock, they'd cover themselves in haircare products and join a kabuki theater or something. I can already imagine them dressing up with oversized bows or spending hours combing their fur for the slightest imperfections."
The Riolu snorted, imagining what that might have looked like. His imagination might have seen those girls adopt clown-like appearances under a deluge of make up.
A moment of silence fell between the two of them, until Ash broke the silence. "Do you think they miss you?" He took his cap and lifted it over his chest. "It's been so long, Mom's probably worried sick about me."
"As if. They probably don't even know I'm gone," Misty replied. "They might be wondering why I hadn't called them back in over a month, but they'd be too busy with their water shows to pay attention."
Though as she said that, Ash felt a hint of… doubt in her tone. The Riolu wanted to pursue that line of thought, but Misty had other plans.
"Hey, what about your dad? We heard quite a bit about your mom, but your dad was here, too." Misty brought up. "Come to think of it, I don't know much about him."
" I don't know much about him either," Ash admitted. "Mom used to tell me stories about him when he was a young trainer. There are albums full of things about him in the house." The Fighting-type laughed. "It's kind of cool he went to Citrine and became a Pokémon!"
"It is," Misty admitted with some reluctance. "But where is he now?"
"Well, Mom says that he's out adventuring in the world!" Ash declared. "So, I'm wondering if I'll get to meet him while we're traveling!"
"So, wait, you don't know where he is?" Misty sounded skeptical.
"No…"
For some reason, that made Misty worry. "Does he call you? Talk to you or your mom? Does he even send you money?"
"...Uh, no?" The young jackal admitted. "At least, not that I know of."
"When was the last time you've even seen him?" Misty's tone seemed almost fearful.
"Like, when I was very young?" Ash rubbed at his chin. "I think it was before I was old enough for school."
Misty visibly shivered. "...And your mom still… talks about him, right?"
"I mean, not often, but yeah. She still tells me stories about him. Especially when the two of them were young." What was Misty so worried about? Ash decided to ask. "Is something wrong?"
"Ash, don't you think…" The Buizel shook her head. "No, forget it." An oily sense of guilt seemed to emanate from the weasel.
Ash narrowed his eyes; he had the distinct feeling that he was being lied to. "Misty, if it's important, you can tell me."
The Buizel winced.
"Ash, isn't it weird that your mom talks so fondly about your father despite him being so far removed from your life that he doesn't talk to you at all?" she replied.
"What if he doesn't have good phone coverage?" Ash commented, though as he said that, an unpleasant feeling came over his gut.
"If he wanted to speak to you or your mother, he would pay the international fees at least once. Especially on your birthdays like my parents did that one time when they were abroad." Misty sighed. "Ash, I think something happened to him, something that your mom doesn't want to tell you."
"Mom wouldn't lie to me!" Ash growled back. Misty was being ridiculous. Everyone knew his father was on a journey elsewhere, traveling the world to become a great Pokémon Master. His mom said it, Professor Oak said it….
…But where were the phone calls? Did his father not want to talk to him?
Misty turned away her head. "She might not know either. He's a trainer, right? He might have disappeared while he was traveling."
Ash didn't want to consider the possibility, but his mind was churning through the implications he'd never thought to consider: If his father was a trainer from Pallet Town, where were his Pokémon? He should at the very least have contacted Professor Oak if he needed to change out his team, unless he asked another Professor to handle that. Plus, a lot of those Pokémon would have been around the house when not at the lab, so why did Ash not see them either?
Cinder told him last night that despite having never known each other, their lives were strangely reflective of one another. Ash dearly hoped that his father did not meet the same fate as her mother.
"Can we… not talk about this?" Ash eventually spoke, overwhelmed.
Misty nodded her head and went back to eating her porridge.
Frustrated and not knowing what to believe, Ash turned his head away from the weasel and shifted his attention to the other goings on in the room.
Pikachu and Charizard were off in a corner, the two of them making gestures with their hands or impressions with their faces and laughing at the results, with Togepi spectating. Psyduck had somehow got his head stuck in a pickle jar and Bulbasaur, Squirtle, and Cyclizar were in the process of helping him out. Brock and Geodude were tending to Staryu's bruises, applying something to mend his outer shell.
The Riolu almost didn't notice Zorua, now Cinder, walking towards him. She now wore a white colored hat with a wide brim, which covered over the thick, wispy hair atop her head.
"How do I look, you two?" she asked with a hint of trepidation in her tone.
The Buizel stood up and made a quick circle around the Zorua, squinting at her new addition. "It looks nice on you. Where'd you get the hat?"
"It's my mother's," the Zorua answered. "It was in the box of things my father gave me. I think he wanted me to have something to remember her by."
"It suits you," Ash said. Still unsettled from the things Misty implied about his father, he felt a little envious of having something that belonged to a long missing parent. Not that he was going to let that stop him from being happy for the fox.
"Really?" Cinder paused as she shifted her head slightly. "It feels a bit off, honestly. It wasn't made for the shape and size of my head, since it was made for a human."
Ash adjusted his hat. "I know exactly how you feel. It fit my head perfectly when I was human, but my head's too small as a Riolu, even though I tightened my cap as much as I can. It feels like it could fall off at any moment, but I'm not going to stop wearing it just because I'm a Pokémon now!"
"I suppose that's one thing to look forward to if I become human; I'd be able to wear my mother's hat properly," Cinder replied with a small smile.
"Yeah! That's one way to look at it!" Ash didn't have much of an opinion on Pokémon turning into humans, but he supposed that if they wanted to do that, they should have that option.
Though for some reason, the Riolu could detect a hint of… something coming from Misty.
The Riolu turned his head towards the Buizel. "Uh, something wrong? Are you worried about something?"
"No!" Misty hissed. "And stop sensing my emotions, Ash!"
"Hey, it's not like I can just turn it off!" Ash said.
"I can't believe I'm saying this, but I preferred when everything went over your head!" Misty shouted.
"Hey, is that a dig at my height!?" Ash growled. "Because you're the same height as me!"
Cinder giggled, apparently finding the whole thing funny for… some reason.
The door to the room abruptly slid open, Zoroark walked in. He took one look at Cinder and Ash felt him shudder like he had seen a ghost. The tall Dark-type shook himself and quickly regained his composure. "You look so very much like your mother," he whispered.
"I imagine I do," Cinder replied, her head lowered.
The entire room turned to meet the Sensei's attention. No one really knew what to think of the tall fox, only that whatever tension between him and Cinder had subsided since last night.
"I assume you're leaving as soon as you're done eating?" the Dark-type asked everyone.
"Yeah," Ash answered. "We're packed up and we'll be gone soon."
"I see." Zoroark bowed his head. "Then, I will be quick about this." He pulled out two envelopes and put them on the table.
On reflex, Ash reached over and grabbed them. Each envelope was sealed by a wax crest with a small depiction of a vulpine each. Both letters felt very heavy, something metallic inside of them. On their backs were names of addresses, with the first envelope addressed to a "Fjord of Fjord Trading Company."
"What's this?" Ash asked, as others leaned over to get a better look at the letter.
"That letter is how you will become human again," answered the fox. "Fjord, if he still remembers it, knows where you will need to dive to reach the Crucible."
"Crucible?" Ash didn't like the sound of that name, but if it was the only way that he and his friends could have become human again, maybe it would be alright.
"How does it work?" Cinder spoke as she walked over to her father. "The name implies that it… melts down something to create something else."
"And we're supposed to dive to reach it?" Misty interjected.
"I do not know how it works, but that is the name Hanako gave to us when we discovered the… apparatus." Zoroark sighed. "As for diving, the Crucible is in an underwater cavern deep below the waves. More specifically, it is in the Sunken Island from which the Keeper originated."
Hushed whispers filled the room as soon as the Keepers were mentioned. Everyone still remembered Silver's kidnapping of Cinder and Squirtle as well as their attempted extortion of Scholar Aspen. No one really wanted to have to deal with that group any more than they had to.
"I take it you have a bad experience?" Zoroark remarked.
"Something like that," Ash bitterly replied. "Is there really no other way? Do we need to go to this Sunken Island?"
"Yes, as it's the only place within Citrine that has the tools and knowledge to allow you to return to human form," the Zoroark stated. "Without studying the spell yourself, it might well be impossible."
"And we have to dive because?" Brock stepped in, his tone wary.
"Because the Crucible is too large to move and it likely was created before the Sunken Island gained its name." Zoroark said. "Beyond that, I do not know, nor do I think it matters. You have your location, you have your objective, and you have your contact."
Sensing the Dark-type growing agitated about being asked so many questions, Ash decided to to turn to the other envelope. It lacked an address, simply listing the words "MERRY CHRISTMAS OUTSIDERS!" in big, bold letters.
Ash blinked repeatedly, not sure why Zoroark gave him a letter referencing Christmas given the holiday happened a few months ago. "Uh..." his voice trailed off.
"Wait, what's Christmas?" Cinder questioned. "Is it a feasting day?"
"Something like that," Misty answered her. "But what's with the envelope?"
"Open it," Zoroark said simply.
Ash ripped off the seal and pulled out a set of finely stacked platinum wafers: money.
"I know that it is seen in poor taste to simply give money as a gift, but I found myself unable to give you more fitting presents as I hardly knew you." Zoroark spoke. "I felt it would be better for you to buy what you needed instead."
"It's fine!" Ash told the fox. "It's just… Christmas happened a few months ago, so this is a little weird."
It is almost May. Dexter interjected as he hovered from behind the Fight-type. Assuming my Calendar is correct.
Zoroark blinked. "I see. I had forgotten that though the Feast of Xerneas has similarities to Christmas, its cycle is on every thirteenth Moon instead of a specific day of the year."
"Feast of Xerneas?" Ash found himself asking.
"It's due tomorrow, but as you are leaving already, I felt it appropriate." Zoroark shrugged. "The Feast essentially is Citrine's equivalent to Christmas in that many Maiju give gifts to their close friends; I believe that the Feast may have been inspired by Christmas, though I cannot prove it. Just know that aside from the gift giving, it is a very different holiday."
That seemed simple enough to understand, like Christmas, except different.
"Oh, so it's the human equivalent of the Feast of-" Cinder leapt into the air, a surge of clear panic flowing through her. "Oh, no! I forgot all about it! And I have to give you all presents!"
"You don't have to give presents to everyone," Misty said as she stood behind the fox. "Really, none of us knew it was essentially Christmas."
"I know, but it's considered rude to not give someone something," Cinder lamented.
"If I might make a suggestion," Zoroark drew everyone's attention back to himself. "Perhaps you might find it useful to simply use the money I gave to buy presents for each other. You, after all, know what everyone else wants or needs."
That idea had plenty of merit and soon a small raucous filled the room as everyone talked about the holiday, about giving and receiving presents. Most were quite excited about the idea, while others were hesitant. In particular, Togepi seemed delighted, going as far to leapt towards Misty in excited cheer. Brock and Vulpix slowly looked each other in the eye, uncertain of what to do.
Ash meanwhile, turned to Pikachu, who seemed lost in thought, with Charizard putting a claw over the rodent's shoulder to comfort him. The Riolu hadn't spoken to either of them since last night, but he had an idea for what to do for his starter.
As Misty and Staryu worked to divide the money evenly, Ash turned to see the Zoroark silently walk out of the room.
The fox turned one last look at him, casting a genuine, bittersweet smile before disappearing.
Because the feast day was tomorrow and they might not be at the next town by then, everyone decided that it was better simply hand out the gifts while they were still in Tanzanite. Misty didn't have any complaints; she essentially got to go Christmas shopping with Togepi.
"Mommy, look!" Togepi cheered as she examined everything from dolls to sweets.
Misty smiled eagerly, remembering when she was in the little egg Pokémon's position. Her mother took her out along with her sisters, all of them vying for their mother to buy them toys and treats. The Buizel was small enough that her mother carried her everywhere, while Violet and Lily fought for attention.
"Ooh, is that a Christmas tree?" Togepi's voice rang out.
Misty turned to see her adopted child bouncing in front of a tall oak tree that was surrounded by lit torches. Incense and smoke filled the area.
"Christmas tree?" asked a nearby Sawsbuck with flowery horns, who given he wore some sort of jacket or tabard, he might have been someone important.
"Oh, don't worry about it! We're outsiders who are still getting used to these lands!" Staryu declared in front. "It simply reminds us of a tradition back home!"
"I see then!" said the Sawsbuck. He knelt down towards Togepi and a courteous bow. "Then you must not know the significance of why Xerneas is so important, little one!"
"No!" Togepi bounced. "Is there a story?"
"Oh, yes, there is!"
Misty smirked as she saw her little one's delight only grow.
"Tell me! Tell me!" Togepi cried.
"Oh, where do I begin?" Sawsbuck said as he laid on the floor. "You see, Xerneas are the Lifebringers, the ones through which all life blooms and gives life, itself, as a gift…"
Togepi lapped it all up, as eager a child could be. Without hesitation, she laid herself against the Sawbuck's shoulder, resulting in a scene that had the vibe of Santa Claus telling a child a story.
Misty let herself get lost in old memories of when she and her sisters would pile together for stories from their parents, especially during the holiday season.
Those were better days.
"I miss my own mother, too," Staryu agreed, as if reading his trainer's mind.
"It's bad enough Ash is bordering on reading me, you know." Misty made a laugh. "I do miss your Mom, too, but I don't know what she's like at all."
"Stricter. A bit more controlling and will force you to digest what's healthy for you," Staryu replied with a shake of his head. "She was also your mother's, and would offer to tell you stories from when they were young." His light flickered in a semblance of a laugh. "She'd never stop talking."
"Now I regret leaving her behind, but someone had to do something about my sisters," Misty lamented, her thoughts turning towards what might have been happening back home. Hopefully, life went on without it, like it always had. "Maybe I could talk to her when I have the chance. I don't have enough memories of my Mom."
"Maybe you could, Mistress." Staryu trailed off.
"...And so Delibird became the Messenger, but hid his true form behind a mask of Yveltal. He flew above the children and poor, casting down sweets where he went," Sawsbuck continued to say, with Togepi awestruck by his side.
"Hey, I never thought to ask, but… why do you call me that?" Misty question. "I mean. I don't mind it, too much, but it's kinda weird."
Staryu leaned back, his posture and light indicating that he was flustered. "Oh, I…it's not important?"
"Really?" Misty squinted an eye
"There is actually a funny story about that." Goldeen floated over them. "It's from when you were very young…"
"Oh, please, don't say it!" Staryu shuddered.
"And why not?" Goldeen remarked before making a twirl around the Buizel. "Misty was involved."
"I was?" Misty questioned, not remembering any of this.
"You had a phase, one that involved tea sets and wanting to be a lady," Staryu guiltily admitted. "Back when things were better."
"Oh." Misty frowned. She remembered now; that was back when… Mom was still alive. At the time, she was jealous of her sisters and how they had plenty of dolls and toys for themselves. Then, one day, her mother gave her a cheap plastic tea set. She loved the thing and spent days and days pretending to be a lady or princess as the mood suited her. She even invited several Pokémon to serve as guests, one of which had stayed with her ever since. "Wait, that was when I started having you around me, wasn't it?"
Staryu gave an embarrassed sigh. "Yes. You're correct. I was simply in the background to you, until you had your father take me out of my tank for your little games. Although we stopped using the tea set, you kept me around ever since."
"And you've kept up calling me Mistress, all this time?" Misty stared at her starter. "I wasn't even in school yet and you kept doing that?"
"Yes," Staryu said, making an embarrassed sigh.
Goldeen laughed as she twirled her body. "In fairness, Misty. You were a tyrant who forbade anyone in pain of death to never refer to you as anything else. At least, that's the sort of character you pretended to be."
The Buizel did not know whether to be embarrassed or to laugh now that she knew her Pokémon had carried on with such a childish order from so long ago.
The weasel chose to laugh, falling on the floor and cackling. "Okay," she wheezed, "okay, that makes sense, but please! You can stop calling me that now. I'm not three!"
Staryu made a wistful sigh. "I suppose, you are a bit too old for that."
Once the laughter settled, the aquatic weasel rose to her stubby feet and turned back Togepi as she continued to drink in the stories.
"And so, the Yveltal of the Lost Woods told the sorcerers and pilgrims the truth. The gift of life would be meaningless without her and her kind," the Sawsbuck continued to narrate.
"And when you die, you turn to stone?" Togepi muttered aloud.
"Uh, no?" Sawsbuck squinted an eye. "Where did you get that idea? Why do you ask that?"
"Oh, no reason!" Togepi cheered.
Misty blinked, wondering how Togepi got such a strange idea. Hopefully, it wasn't Ash's fault.
"You know, the festivities are so different from this side," Cyclizar commented as he made his voice known. "Usually, I'd be so busy trying to steal more presents than my siblings, rather than helping someone deliver them."
"Ah, you have obtained it at last?" Staryu spoke, his tone concerningly excited.
"Once courier, always one, I guess?" the lizard replied.
"Hm?" Misty turned to meet the lizard in the eye.
In his remaining claw, Cyclizar carried with him a large sack tied together by a string. He raised it towards Misty. "From us, to you."
"For me?" Misty blinked. She hadn't really expected her Pokémon to give her a gift, like this. But they were her friends, of course they would have! "From all of you?"
"From us," Staryu exclaimed. "Including Psyduck, even if he doesn't remember it."
"From me, too?" Said duck questioned.
"Case in point!" Staryu's light glowed as he moved to his trainer.
"It was a collaborative effort, since we felt that it would be better to give you something together," Goldeen replied as she hovered over the Buizel's shoulders.
Misty undid the knot holding the bag closed and reached in. There were several items inside, the first of which was a decorative… seashell? No, wait. She opened it and within the sea shell was a small mirror.
"We actually struggled to figure out what to get you, since we aren't used to, well, giving you presents," Staryu admitted. "But Psyduck had an idea and we went for it. We had Cyclizar gather the required items since most of us lacked proper grasping limbs!"
Confused, Misty reached into the bag once more and pulled out a bottle that the label said to be waterproof fur wax. Apparently, it was to accentuate the appearances for aquatic mammals such as herself. "You're giving me beauty supplies?" the Water-type trainer balked.
"Of course!"
"I'm not… vain like my sisters!" Misty glowered.
Now, it was Staryu's turn to laugh, his light growing unstable. "Misty, you do care about your appearance, far more than you'd like to admit. I may not have been able to tell you this before, but you are one of the Sensational Sisters as well!"
Misty went to open her mouth, but then closed it before she could say anything. She realized that Staryu knew her enough to counter anything she said. Besides, it wasn't like she was going to let herself be called ugly by anyone. "...Am I really that vain?"
"Yes!" Goldeen returned a fishy lipped smirk. "Not as much as your elders, no. But well, I can say you'd spend a good deal of time waxing your fur, if you could. Maybe not hours, but an hour."
"Plus, I've been noticing you taking an interest in certain products while we're out shopping," Cyclizar interjected.
Sighing, Misty put the seashell mirror and the bottle of fur wax into the bag. Unlike Ash or Brock, these Pokémon had managed to corner her and she knew she couldn't refuse them, especially not when Goldeen used her own words from earlier that day. "I suppose I can give it a try."
Staryu and Goldeen didn't try hard to suppress their laughter.
"And I should thank you all for being so thoughtful," Misty pouted. "I don't know what to get you guys yet, but I think the usual premium snack food isn't going to cut it this time."
"Take your time." Staryu somehow smirked even though he lacked a face.
"Thank us for what?" Psyduck blurted out.
"Well, you… came up with the idea, apparently!" Misty slapped her forehead. "Psyduck, how can you be so insightful sometimes and forget everything?" She sighed and let her frustration go. Psyduck's entire species used amnesia as a way to dull the constant pain they suffered. It wasn't like he asked to be born with such a crippling disability. And now that she could actually talk to him, she couldn't just… dismiss that, not after spending so much time with him.
"Look Psyduck, you're a lot smarter than I ever thought. It's just… your constant headaches are what's holding you back and I have no idea if I can do anything to help you."
"Thank you?" Psyduck tilted his head, his tone one of utter confusion.
Misty sighed, hoping that was enough.
"...And so Xerneas and Yveltal reminded the children to value what they had, and especially their family. For you should always cherish the time you have with one another—." Sawsbuck continued before stopping. He eyed Togepi, who slumbered at his side. "Oh, I see someone's all tired out!"
"She does tend to nap a lot," Misty agreed as she walked over to lift the slumbering little Pokémon.
"I got her," Cyclizar replied. He opened his bag and gently moved Togepi into it, her head poking out.
"Thank you, Cyclizar," Misty told the lizard. As it turned out, having a large reptile that was big enough to act as a bike for a grown man was perfect for carrying everything from excess luggage to little Pokémon.
"Anything for her, Miss," the former bandit replied.
"Have a Merry Feast!" cried the Sawsbuck.
"You, too!" Misty raised a paw in reply, still wondering just how many of Christmas's traditions were transplanted into this Feast in Xerneas's honor. She supposed the total lack of winter may have played a part, too.
As she went to turn the corner, she slammed face first into a someone else and stumbled backwards a step
"Ash!" the Buizel snapped, once she saw who it was.
"Sorry!" the Riolu panted. He looked exhausted. "Hey, have you seen Pikachu anywhere?"
"Uh, no?" Misty blinked. Usually, the two were inseparable. Then again, maybe they just got separated while they were out shopping?
"I think I saw him over there!" Staryu pointed with one of his limbs.
"Thanks!" Ash raised one of his digits in a thumbs-up, sans thumb. He then reached out into a sack on his belt and pulled something small out. "Oh, before I forget. This is for you, Misty!"
The jackal pup threw the item at Misty, the Buizel catching it on pure reflex.
"Wait, Ash!?" Misty shouted
But the Riolu dashed away, shouting as he left. "Sorry, but I have to get him for something!"
"He's in a hurry," Goldeen commented.
"It doesn't seem to be anything dangerous, though I can tell that he's…excited about something," Staryu mused.
Misty opened her paws to see what Ash threw at her. It consisted of a small string of beads and tiny seashells, all in a tightly bound strip. It didn't really count as fine jewelry, but there was no mistaking that it was a hair scrunchy. Come to think of it, the Water-type still hadn't replaced the one that she lost when she had first become a Pokémon.
"Thanks, Ash." How thoughtful of him.
The Buizel made a small smile and wrapped it around her head.
As it turned out, trying to find a gift for a rock snake dozens of feet long turned out to be harder than anticipated. For one, Onix was so big that most normal gifts simply didn't cover enough of his body to justify the cost. Sure, rock polish and sand paper were options, but only if bought in bulk.
Brock went store to store in a desperate attempt to find something… anything that suited his first Pokémon.
Thankfully, it seemed that the large Rock-type was well aware of his predicament. "Board game instead?" he spoke in his booming voice from outside the store.
"A board game?" the Lycanroc balked, his head looking out the window.
Onix's eyes shifted slightly.
Brock turned to where the large rock snake aimed his gaze, to spot a small shelf containing a tiny set of boxes all labeled "MAHJONG".
"I never knew you had an interest in board games," Brock found himself saying.
"Always curious. Never tried. No one to play. Different circumstances now," Onix answered back.
The Lycanroc realized just how limited his thinking was. Onix, his oldest friend, was not just a Rock-type, but a person with many dreams, aspirations, and interests. Brock should have known that Onix might have been interested in trying something new, even if his body was too large to directly touch the pieces of a board game.
"You sure? We'll probably need someone with hands or better paws to use it properly, but this might be possible."
"Yes. Useful. If not, others may use." Onix stated. "Fun to watch. If not play."
"Good to know," Brock said back. Using his mouth, he grabbed the boxed board game by the handle and brought it to the shopkeeper for check out. Given the tiles were all handcrafted, it cost more than the Lycanroc would have liked. However, the utility of having a boardgame on hand couldn't be denied, especially during those oceanic trips they still needed to take.
A moment later, the Lycanroc stepped out of the store, the mahjong set now attached to his back.
Onix bent over and looked down at his trainer. "Smaller than thought."
"Well, that's because you're so big," Brock said.
"Yes. Sometimes wish smaller," he replied.
"Hey! Brock! Onix!" Zubat's shrill voice rang in the Lycanroc's ears.
Brock turned to see his one Flying-type moving towards him. "Hey, Zubat!" he barked. "Where are the others?"
"Oh! They just sent me to get you!" Zubat screeched. "They've got your surprise present ready!"
"Surprise present?" Brock blinked.
"Zubat…" Onix groaned.
"Oops! I wasn't supposed to say that!" Zubat yelped and quickly flew behind Onix.
The Lycanroc squinted an eye at his starter. "I mean, the point of this shopping trip was to get gifts for each other. So, I kind of knew you'd be getting something."
"Still wanted to pretend. Never done this. New experience," Onix explained. "Our first gift. To you."
Brock thought back to all of the prior Christmas celebrations he had with his Pokémon, his friends. In all of them, he was the only one to give them something, largely because they weren't given as much agency of their own back in Pewter. In Citrine, his friends were allowed to do something as simple as shop on their own accord without him.
"Alright," he said eventually. "I'll try to act surprised for you all."
Onix made a grumbling laugh, like stone grinding against stone. "Good."
"Alright. Uh, right this way!" Zubat screeched as she flew ahead.
Onix slithered after her, while Brock walked behind.
Idly, the Lycanroc's eyes wandered as he patiently waited for Zubat to lead them towards their destination.
Unlike the sea of decorations that Kanto and the rest of the world indulged in to express the holiday spirit, Tanzanite was comparatively more modest with its equivalent. A tailor's featured simple and small crystalline antler themed banners, whilst the tavern presented a small wooden carving in front of its door in the shape of a great bird. Honestly, if Brock hadn't been told that it was a holiday, he might have completely missed the significance.
But, as much as the Lycanroc wanted to observe the knick knacks, his eyes wandered over to a collection of… canine beauties. Both of them were Lycanrocs, with one bearing a quadrupedal gait and light brown fur, while the other clad in a near crimson tone and with a bipedal stance. Both turned to look at him, eager and interested smiles on their faces.
Immediately, Brock felt the urge to greet them, to express how they appeared to him. Yet, as much as the Lycanroc wanted to tell the two of them that they were like perfect statues brought to life, he turned his head away.
He didn't want another repeat, especially when he knew that he wasn't going to see those… lovely wolfesses again.
No. He had an appointment. He shook his head and tried to remove those two… Fine ladies from his thoughts.
"Brock?" Onix's head craned backwards.
"I'll be fine." Brock hoped he wasn't lying. Was this some sort of personalized torture, made for just for him? Girls were attracted to him now, but it felt wrong to pursue them, when someone he knew was also interested. At the very least, he had gotten better at restraining himself.
As they turned the next corner, the Lycanroc noted that Zubat had disappeared from view. Was this part of the surprise? "Onix, where'd she go?"
The long Rock-type gave him a squint. "Can't tell. Zubat flies."
Right. Onix's tremorsense didn't exactly help for much when it came to flying creatures.
Cautiously, the Lycanroc stepped forward to try to pick up Zubat's trail.
Yet, before he could properly take in the air, several loud shouts rang the canine Rock-type's ears. "SURPRISE!" they all cried.
Startled, Brock nearly bolted. But he planted his feet and realized that Geodude, Zubat, Vulpix, and Cinder were right in front of him, delighted expressions on their faces.
"Oh, uh… hey guys," the canine replied. His eyes turned to scan the area. Surprisingly, despite the ambush happening in the middle of broad daylight in the middle of the street, no one seemed to think it was out of the ordinary. In fact, several onlookers clapped their hands and made shouts of approval, as if this was entirely normal. "Was that okay to do?"
"It is," Cinder said, with a slight tilt of her head. "It's perfectly normal and expected, in a way…Though that might be a Zorua or Dark-type thing…"
"Right." Brock simply chose to accept that Citrine had different traditions to what was at home.
It was then that Geodude hopped over to his trainer's side and began to take away the bags and packs that were tied to his body.
"Uh, what's going on, Geodude?" Brock questioned.
"Just getting these things out of the way," the living geode explained as he took the mahjong set. "Wait, why do we have this?"
"For me," Onix answered. "Now. Hold still."
Eager to find out what he was being given, Brock did so, holding his body still as Geodude removed the last of the bags.
"It took a while for us to figure out what to give you, but then I thought, you might like something to wear," Vulpx spoke in front of Brock.
Cinder handed a large dark green cotton cloth over to Geodude who then threw it over Brock's side. No, it wasn't a simple cloth, but some sort of article of clothing he didn't know the name for. They had these back home, too, for canines like… him.
The living geodude adjusted a belt or strap that was part of the outfit and fastened one part over Brock's belly, with the other just under his neck.
"What is this?" the Lycanroc flexed his body to get a better look at his new… outfit. It didn't feel overly restrictive, though some of the hairs underneath the cloth pushed against it.
"Oh that?" Zubat cried. "We thought you would like something to wear… even if it wasn't really well, essential."
"Though it is also waterproof, though not necessarily enough to hold against a proper attack," Cinder chimed.
Brock shivered. "I think I'll come in handy," he told his friends. "Anything that could protect him from water sounds pretty essential if you ask me."
"Nice job," Onix congratulated the others. "Brock look nicer."
Hopefully, not too much nicer. Brock thought.
Though Vulpix's laughter ended those thoughts. "Yeah, you do look nicer wearing something," she said. "It… contrasts nicely with your fur, I think. And it matches your eyes."
A lupine grin shaped onto the Lycanroc's mouth, a small satisfaction building inside of him. He then blinked, remembering not too long ago, he said those same words directly to the fox.
Brock made a throaty laugh. "I guess it does."
Without a word, Geodude then started reattaching the boxes and bags onto his trainer.
When he put on the mahjong set, Brock remembered the others still needed gifts of their own. "If you guys still want to continue shopping, I think I have some ideas on what to get you?"
"I'd ask for books, but uh, let's not waste money," Cinder supplied.
"Oooh, what will you get me!?" Zubat exclaimed, her wings flapping wildly.
Probably something acoustic, Brock thought as he stepped forward.
Vulpix ran up beside the Lycranoc, her tails swishing in the background. She didn't say anything, she simply wanted to stay in close proximity to the rock wolf.
Brock still wondered if it was right to allow Vulpix to pursue him. He was human, and she was a Pokémon. Yet, as much as he wanted it to be so simple, that their worlds were completely different, the lupine Rock-type came to understand that humans and Pokémon were both people.
Never in a thousand years did Pikachu think that he would be shopping without Ash, but the electrical rodent couldn't find the right words to convey his worries and fears.
The Electric-type always feared what would happen when they left Citrine. He loathed to think that he and the others would forget their adventure together, like it never happened. Each day would be taken from them!
And even if they weren't going to forget everything, the moment Ash left and used that spell to become human again, Pikachu would lose the ability to talk to his closest friend. How was he supposed to share jokes or playfully tease Ash if all he could hear was Pikachu saying his own name?
It was so unfair!
"You think he'll like this?" Charizard's voice pierced through.
The rodent shook his head and saw the tall dragon holding several different pieces of colored cloth in front of his face.
"Uh, remove the blue one." Pikachu fumbled with his words as he tried to make a justification. "Ash likes wearing blue, but he's mostly blue now, so it'd probably look weird."
Charizard shrugged and took the blue cloth out of his talons and set them aside.
"So, either we go red or green." the large lizard stated. "Which one?"
Pikachu put his paws over his chin. His trainer liked both colors, with his green gloves and backpack and his red cap. "Red might be better. It'd go with his hat."
Charizard nodded and set the other pieces of cloth down. "Alright. Let's get this… checked out I guess?"
"Sure," Pikachu lazily replied.
Charizard made a snort but made a nod.
The Electric-type followed behind and let the taller Pokémon deal with the shopkeeper.
There were still plenty of hurt feelings and bad blood between the two of them, but Pikachu felt that the two of them no longer had to be enemies. Charizard had made major strides to work up an apology; the Electric-type knew he could do the same.
That was when Charizard burst out laughing. "You look like such a dork!"
Pikachu tried very hard not to agree.
"Yeah, I know." Squirtle rolled his eyes and removed the oversized spectacles that he wore. "But this pawnshop doesn't have any otherglasses, let alone stylish shades!"
"I tried," Bulbasaur sighed. "But there isn't an optometrist here."
"Yeah. They don't suit him at all," Charizard agreed, barely managing to contain his sniggers.
Pikachu shook his head. He supposed that one of the reasons why he was willing to let go of their feud was that past that gruff exterior, Charizard was still the same old Charmander at his core.
Squirtle set the goofy looking spectacles aside, whilst Charizard finalized purchasing Ash's present with the shopkeeper.
The four of them stepped out in short order.
"So, where to now?" Squirtle posed a question. "Like, which of you needs to get something for someone else?"
"I'm fine with what I have," Bulbasaur answered. "And I can't think of anything I could want other than some plant food for my bulb."
"I saw a garden store around here somewhere, they might have someth- wait, Dexter?" Pikachu raised his paw and pointed to the possessed Pokédex hovering right in front of him. "Dexter, what are you doing without Ash? "
Come. Dexter didn't answer the question directly. He simply turned his body and floated away.
" , why do you want us to come with you?" Pikachu grumbled, uncertain of why Dexter was requesting them.
"Might be important?" Squirtle proposed.
"It better be!" Annoyed at the cryptic request, Pikachu leapt onto all fours and ran after the Pokédex.
The others came after him, though none of them ran as he did.
Dexter rapidly levitated towards the settlement's outskirts without stopping.
With a burst of speed, Pikachu caught up to the Pokédex Rotom and snapped. "What's going on?"
Further. Dexter stated.
A small seed of worry took root in Pikachu's heart. After Squirtle and Cinder were abducted that one time, the Electric-type feared another repeat. Was this even Dexter and a pretender? Was that why he was so weird?
Pikachu turned towards his rear, noticing that Squirtle and Bulbasaur were right behind him. Charizard flew overhead. If things went wrong, there would be backup.
"Fine," the rodent snapped.
Dexter continued to levitate further and further away from the settlement and towards a field of tall grass.
Dexter stopped in front of a stone and a shiver of panic went up Pikachu's spine.
On the rock were several items, all of them belonging to Ash. His cap, his belt, and a single compressed Pokéball.
"Wait, what happened?" Pikachu's eyes widened. "Where's Ash?"
Dexter turned around. Welcome to the World of Pokémon. Are you a boy or a girl?
"What kind of question is that?" Pikachu demanded. "You know I'm male! Why are you acting so weird?"
Congratulations, young and prospective trainer. You are about to embark on a fantastic journey full of wonderful and amazing creatures called Pokémon! I am Dexter and I will be your Pokédex!
Pikachu just blinked. Did Dexter get broken or something?
"Wait, what's going on?" Squirtle shouted, Bulbasaur right behind him. "Am I hearing things right?"
Trainers who originate from Kanto and are sponsored by a lab may select one of three starter options ranging from: Bulbasaur, Squirtle, or Charmander.
"...This seems wrong?" Charizard made a landing onto the ground. "Hey, Dexter! Are you broken?"
"I don't know!" Pikachu admitted, though as he said, the whole thing started to feel familiar.
Note that our Charmander has evolved ahead of schedule. So, atypically, we have a Charizard available for more advanced trainers. Dexter hovered over to Pikachu and emitted a flash. Now that you are properly within the system, Trainer, it is imperative you select a Pokémon from the available starter options.
Pikachu rubbed the flash out of his eyes. "You… want me to pick… one of them?
That is correct. Take your time if you have to.
Pikachu turned to the others.
"Oh, this is a funny question," Charizard made a belly laugh. "But I think there's only one correct option."
"That's not the intent of the type triangle," Bulbasaur snorted. "But why is Dexter asking us to do… this?"
"Because I'm going to be a trainer." Pikachu answered, the words slowly coming out of his mouth. The Electric-type finally remembered that a month ago, he pretended to be Ash's trainer because it seemed like a good and funny idea at the time. "I think this means Ash is behind this."
Please make your selection! Dexter chimed.
Pikachu returned to the other Pokémon. While he was now certain that Ash was involved, that didn't help him pick one of his friends.
"No pressure," Squirtle giggled.
"I won't think any less of you if you choose the others," Bulbasaur spoke.
"I would," Charizard snorted.
Closing his eyes, Pikachu spun randomly and pointed one of his paws at the others. The limb directed itself towards Bulbasaur.
"Aw!" Charizard grumbled.
Squirtle shrugged. "Win some, you lose some."
Excellent! You have chosen Bulbasaur as your starter. Please equip your gear, including your Pokéballs and your headwear.
Pikachu donned Ash's loosely fitting hat and slung his trainer's belt over his shoulders. But why was there a single Pokéball on the belt?
"So, what now?" the Electric type asked.
Instead of answering that question, Dexter levitated backwards. In tall grass, it is likely for trainers to run into will Pokémon. During these encounters, trainers may battle these Pokémon to weaken them and then use Pokéballs to capture them.
Before Pikachu could think on those words to infer their meaning, Ash burst out of the tall grass and took a fighting stance.
A wild Riolu appeared!
Ash giggled, his tail wagging excitedly. He clearly enjoyed his ploy.
"Ash, this is silly, even for you," Pikachu told his trainer. He stepped forward to try to meet him, but Dexter got in his way.
It's dangerous for trainers to fight a Pokémon. Send out your own to protect yourself, the Pokédex reiterated.
Pikachu blinked for a second before realizing what he had to do. "Go, Bulbasaur!" he cried out and thrust a paw forward.
Bulbasaur leapt ahead and stood against Ash. "I don't understand what's going on, but fine."
Ash could barely contain his excitement and laughter.
Dexter loomed over Pikachu and explained what to do next. As a trainer, you give orders to you-
"I know what to do!" Pikachu hissed. "Bulbasaur, Razor Leaf!"
Ash dodged out of the way, the leaves shearing the tall grass behind him.
The lunged forward, paws extended, and slapped Bulbasaur's head.
"Slam in with a Tackle!" Pikachu called out.
Bulbasaur rammed his body into the Fighting-type and sent him onto the ground.
"Press on!" Pikachu called out. "Vine Whip!"
Bulbasaur did as he was told and extended his vines and brought them down onto Ash's position.
But the Riolu dodged out of the way with narrowest margins and balled one of his paws into a fist. He dashed towards Bulbasaur and punched him square in the belly.
Bulbasaur was flown backwards, his body twisting until he landed on his back. He quickly spun himself back into a standing position, no worse for wear.
"Oh, this is getting good!" Squirtle commented. "Hey, chum. Try not to go too hard on Ash, will you?"
"I could have done this much faster…" Charizard groaned. "But I guess it's fun to watch."
A surge of excitement came over Pikachu. Despite how utterly ridiculous this all looked, the Electric-type wondered if this is what Ash felt like or how he imagined being a trainer to be.
Either way, he wanted to win. "Go for the legs with a Vine Whip, Bulbasaur!"
"Got it!" the toad shouted. His vines extended once again and this time, Ash didn't escape fast enough. One fine wrapped around his legs and dragged him to the ground.
The Riolu struggled to reach the vine, his claws shining with a metallic sheen.
Pikachu didn't let him cut that. "Wrap him! Get his arms!"
Then, Bulbasaur brought his other vine onto the Riolu's arm and held on tightly. Ash thrashed wildly in a desperate attempt to get free, but for now he was held.
With the wild Pokémon weakened, it is now recommended to use a Pokéball to capture it. Dexter suggested.
"But I-" Pikachu began, but then realized that on his trainer's belt. He unhooked it from the belt and pressed the button to expand the ball back to its regular size. Because of how big it was compared to his body, he had to hold in both of his paws.
Good. Now that the Pokéball is expanded, throw the ball and capture the Pokémon inside.
"Easy for you to say!" Pikachu complained as he struggled to carry the ball with him. His body just wasn't built for throwing so he hobbled towards Ash.
The Riolu continued to struggle, Bulbasaur's vines entangling him. He managed to get one arm free just as another came to restrain him.
"I can't hold him for long!" Bulbasaur shouted.
Once he was a foot in range, the Electric-type launched the ball with both hands.
It struck the Riolu in the head and then popped open. A red light engulfed Ash and sucked him into the ball.
The Pokéball then fell onto Bulbasaur's vines.
Pikachu ran towards the Pokéball and stepped over it. The red light on the plastic sphere blinked rapidly as Ash struggled inside.
A shiver of anticipation went through the rodent's heart. He was about to catch not only a Pokémon, but his own trainer as part of his game. The others also leaned in close, all eager to see the result.
After what felt like a small eternity, the Pokéball settled down, its light fading away. Ash was captured.
Congratulations! You caught a Riolu! Would you like to give it a nickname? Dexter chimed in.
A small part of Pikachu thought to give Ash an embarrassing nickname, but no. It didn't feel right. "No. No nickname."
Listing Riolu as "No Nickname" from now on. Would you like to release No Nickname from his Pokéball? Dexter spoke in monotone, yet still somehow conveyed laughter.
That elicited a small chuckle from the others.
"Oh, Boss is not gonna like that!" Squirtle declared.
I imagine not. Dexter agreed.
Pikachu rolled his eyes and went over to the now still Pokéball. He pressed the button and his trainer materialized in a flash of light.
"Huh, that's not what I expected it'd feel like." The Riolu went to look at his own paws before turning to give Pikachu a grin. "So, how does it feel to catch your first Pokémon?"
Pikachu didn't know how to respond to that. He had avoided speaking to his trainer where he could, but now he was in front of him. "Weird, I guess, because I already knew you. Why did we do this? "
"I don't actually know!" Ash admitted with a warm smile. "But I think… I wanted to say something that I just couldn't find the words for. After everything we learned yesterday about my mom, about us forgetting, I wanted to do something, anything."
"Ash…" The Electric-type's ears fell. How stupid could he have been? He should have realized that Ash had the same worries he did.
"Pikachu," Ash drew his attention. He picked up his Pokéball off the ground and handed it towards his starter. "Even before we came here, you were basically like my trainer already."
Pikachu froze, looking the jackal pup in the eye.
"Back when we first started, I hadn't really known what being a trainer even meant." Droplets fell from his eyes. "Sure, I knew that I wanted to be a Pokémon League Champion and to do that I had to collect eight badges, but I thought that was the important part. Until I met you, I thought that Pokémon were supposed to follow their trainer's orders and that trainers were all about fighting and winning, but there's more to it than that."
"Yeah, it's not like we spend every day doing nothing but training," Pikachu admitted. He hesitantly took Ash's Pokéball in his paws. "But that's not reallybeing your trainer, is it?"
"I say it is!" the Riolu insisted. "I wouldn't have gotten as far as I have, if I didn't have to learn from you. So, that's why you were already my trainer!"
"I learned a few things from you, too," Pikachu agreed as he looked at his yellow body. "I've gotten stronger than I ever was in the wild because of the training you gave me."
"Right!"
"You teach me and I'll teach you…" Squirtle sounded, as though singing part of a song.
"Where was that from?" Pikachu blinked. "It sounds familiar."
Squirtle shrugged. "Probably heard it somewhere, but hey. I learned some things, too. I learned that there were people who are worth following! And things worth doing!"
"Like who?" Ash questioned.
Pikachu turned to give Squirtle a glance.
The turtle suppressed a laugh and shook his head. "Someone you know. Don't worry about it."
"Okay." Ash shrugged.
"Know what you want to have," Charizard said simply as he loomed over everyone.
Meanwhile, Bulbasaur walked over and added his own thoughts. "People aren't so easily defined by a single word like trainer, human, or even Pokémon. That's something Melanie showed me, but following you Ash, I learned just how far that lesson really went."
Nods of approval came from everyone else, but Pikachu lingered on Bulbasaur's statement. Ash was Ash, regardless of what he looked like. Did it even matter?
"I'm scared. And I'm tired of it, Ash!" Tears streamed from his eyes. "I'm scared of us forgetting everything when we leave this place. I don't want us to forget our time together! And even if we remembered everything, I'm worried about never being able to talk to you again!"
"I know," Ash replied in a solemn tone. "Mom can't understand Pokémon and all, and if she really did become human, then that's what's going to happen to me, too. I don't want to be able to not understand you guys either."
"And the only way for none of these things to be a problem is… if we never left Citrine, we stay here forever just like Zorua's dad."
"Cinder," Bulbasaur corrected.
"Either way." Pikachu felt sick to his stomach. "It's unfair that we have to pick between such awful choices!"
Ash nodded his head. "So, what if there were a way we could do something else? Something that isn't one of the options we've been given?"
"Can we do that?" The electrical rodent didn't know if such a possibility existed, but he wanted to hope.
Ash shrugged. "I don't know, but I'd like to find out! Until then." The Riolu then wrapped his arms around his starter. "Let's enjoy the time we have together."
"Yeah." Pikachu returned the hug.
Squirtle and Bulbasaur both grabbed on. Perhaps not wanting to be left out, Charizard leaned in, covering everyone else with his wings. Dexter, the only person who couldn't hold anyone, simply laid himself on top of Ash's head.
"Hey, don't forget us, Boss!"
"I won't!" Ash promised.
The fear and worry that had accumulated within Pikachu subsided. It felt like a warm glow entered into him, soothing his heart and washing away his pains.
Maybe everything would turn out okay, if they only found the solution.
Either way, for now, he didn't have to worry about it.
Pikachu didn't know how long the hug lasted; it could have been five minutes or five days for all he cared. In the arms of his companions, his friends, he felt like he could face the challenges that lay ahead.
Eventually though, everyone let go, as they couldn't have held onto each other forever.
"It's still so weird to think that my mom was a Pokémon," Ash said. "I mean, you wouldn't think it, but apparently she was a Lucario."
"Yeah," Pikachu agreed. Though as he said that, a seed of an idea took root in his mind. Did he have to stay a Pokémon? Shaking such thoughts out of his head, the electric mouse reminded himself of what they had to give Ash. "Who has the cloth?"
"I got it!" Squirtle declared.
"Cloth?" Ash asked.
Squirtle pulled out a small red square cloth from his back and presented it to Ash.
"What's that?" Ash asked again.
"Our gift to you," Charizard answered.
"It seemed appropriate," Pikachu said as he took off his trainer's hat.
"It's a nice, stylish bandana!" Squirtle brought the cloth around the Fighting-type's neck and tied a knot behind his head.
The Riolu touched the red cloth with one of his paws to check the material. "It's kind of snug."
"We knew you'd like it!" Pikachu smiled. This was the first gift that any of them had truly given to their trainer, something to remember their time together.
Ash continued to adjust his bandana, as if trying to get into a perfect position. His thrashed behind him, a sign of clear excitement. But then he stopped and turned to face his starter. "Oh, by the way. Why do you think Pokéballs are so bad? They're quite comfy! I didn't know they had furniture!"
Pikachu snorted. "Because being outside is still better." Because you're all alone in a Pokéball and it's way better to have company.
When going over Misty's sisters and the situation they might be in, I had a bit of trouble trying to depict them and convey what I wanted the reader to know.
In my research, I actually found it quite interesting that Misty actually got along with Daisy the most, and it was the middle children who were the most vitriolic, but still did value Misty. I actually wonder if this is due to some sort of vestigal Middle Child syndrome, given their total lack of parents in the anime.
Also, the first time humans as humans are actually in the fic!
For Brock and Misty, I felt like it was appropriate to give them items that referenced their outfits during this part of the timeline. Brock had his vest, while Misty had a scrunchy; both were lost when they entered into Citrine and now they have them back.
And then, my favorite part: A wild Riolu appeared! This was probably one of those scenes I've been waiting to write since the beginning and it really establishes how Ash now sees his relationship with Pikachu.
Oh, and obviously, Ash still had his hat, but the tradition for Riolu in PMD has always been the scarves and bandanas.