A few days later, the mothers both arrived at Professor Oak's lab. Mrs. Ketchum walked forward when she saw Ash, joined by Mrs. Sapphire.

"Hey, honey!" Mrs. Ketchum greeted with a smile. "How's my lil' Pokemon Master? I hear from Professor Oak that you saved some people today."

"Yeah," Ash explained. "I got so caught up in it that I forgot to call and let you know I was here. I'm sorry…"

"You're forgiven." Mrs. Ketchum said patting her son on the head, then gave her son a passive-aggressive smile. "Just don't let it happen again." She said in a similar tone.

"Yes, mom." Ash said without argument. "I'll be more diligent about calling."

"Thank you." Mrs. Ketchum smiled warmly.

"Tyler!" Mrs. Sapphire exclaimed when she saw her son, ensnaring him in a tight hug. "Oh, my young bright flame I am so proud of you for helping out those people you found!"

"It was no problem, really…" Tyler managed to wheeze out.

"However, you still need to remember to be cautious. I've told you over and over about what happens when you're reckless~." Mrs. Sapphire said in a similar passive-aggressive tone that Mrs. Ketchum used as she intensified her grip.

"I'll be more careful next time, I swear…" Tyler coughed out, his eyes looking like they were ready to pop out of his head.

"I'm sure you will." Mrs. Sapphire said happily as she released Tyler.

Mrs. Ketchum then turned to Tyler. "So, this is the new trainer you met that helped you?"

"Yeah." Ash said. "Mom, this is Tyler Sapphire and his Mom."

"Nice to meet you, Mrs. Ketchum." Tyler said with a smile.

"I Second that." Mrs. Sapphire said as she and Mrs. Ketchum shook hands. "The name's Kathleen Sapphire, but you can call me Kathy."

"Delia Ketchum. It's a pleasure." Delia greeted warmly. "So, where's Takuya, Kasi and Avery? Professor Oak told me about what happened to them, poor dears…"

"Same here." Kathy said. "That must have been terrifying for them, running away from those thugs after everything else that happened to them..."

Ash and Tyler looked at their mothers for a moment. "…They told you everything?" They asked nervously.

Delia and Kathy looked at each other, then at their sons. "Yep. Everything."

Now it was Ash and Tyler's turn to take glances at each other.

Tyler finally spoke up. "They're out in the corral area, getting some air and sunshine while trying to figure out their abilities."

"Yeah, we were waiting for you to get here so we could introduce them to you." Ash said.

Both mothers smiled. "Lead the way."

# # # # # # #

Tyler, Ash, Kathy, and Delia walked out to the corral area, looking at some of the Pokemon going about their daily routines.

"Hey, Takuya! Kasi! Avery!" Ash called out.

"Oi! Over here!" Takuya called out from a tree. He was currently hanging from a very thick limb in the tree by his knees upside-down, doing full crunches. Kasi was doing yoga, slowly switching between poses and positions. Avery was practicing what appeared to be Karate with a punching bag that looked like it was setup by Professor Oak.

"Woah, looks like you take your workouts seriously Takuya." Ash said as he, Tyler, and the mothers approached the tree.

"The way I view it, fitness is life." Tyler said after climbing down the tree as Kasia and Avery walked up. "So, are these your mothers?"

"Yep." Tyler said. "They wanted to meet you."

Delia looked at them, sadness on her face. "You poor dears. We can only imagine what you went through all that time." Delia said.

"Second that." Kathleen said with a similar expression. "If there's anything we can do, just ask. We're here for you."

Avery was surprised, and stumped. "You mean you are not freaked out by the whole 'part man, part Pokémon thing?"

Delia patted Avery on the shoulder. "The Professor told us about what happened…"

It was then that the group caught a whiff of a stench in the air. Especially the mothers.

"Oh, my!" Delia exclaimed, holding her nose. "What is that awful smell?"

"Good night, what a stench!" Kathy echoed as she covered her face with a hanker chief.

"I told you two you should have bathed." Kasi said with sass to Takuya and Avery.

Avery looked embarrassed. "…It's that bad?"

"To be blunt, I could smell you halfway across the field." Kasi said. "That's why I decided to take a quick shower before they showed up, and recommended you do the same."

Takuya gave Kasi a grumpy look. "You know, you could have just demanded we take a shower before…"

"Uh-uh! Nope, don't try playing the blame game now, young man!" Kathleen said sternly as she got out two pairs of rubber gloves and nose plugs out of her purse. "Right now, the only game you should be playing is the 'how fast can you get in the tub' game!" She handed Delia one pair of rubber gloves and a nose plug. "Delia, would you be a dear and assist me with this?"

"Gladly." Delia agreed, dawning the nose plug and rubber gloves with Kathy. "Luckily I know where Professor Oak keeps the soap, as well."

"But…" Avery started.

"No 'buts' about it, you two!" Delia and Kathy said in unison. "Tub! Now!" They both pointed in the direction of the lab.

Avery and Takuya walked off defeated, with the mothers close behind.

"I guess old habits die hard…" Tyler said, as both he and Ash were struggling to suppress their laughter.