Chapter 9 – Goodbye, just go

The Dewford Town Gym…the next day…

"Hunter it's all down to you," said Cameron giving his pup a pat on the head. "Go out there and show 'em what we've got!"

Hunter grinned up at Cameron and raised his paws in fists. He gave a small nod and a bark of "ouro," before wandering out onto the battlefield.

The match would decide whether Cameron was to walk out of the gym with the Knuckle badge…or have to come back for a re-match. Hunter versus Brawley's Breeloom…

And, as per usual, the other two trainers and their Pokémon were gathered in the gym's stands to watch. Ashachu sitting in the corner with Nova and Sniveon. And a watchful Axew sitting in the row behind.

There was no way Ash was letting Ashachu out of his or another responsible Pokémon's sight after what had happened! Not that Ashachu was keen to test the boundaries after Ash's threat!

"You'll be great Hunter," Cheered an enthusiastic Geyser from the spectators stand. "I believe in you." He waved his paws up in the air.

Hunter beamed back at him and gave him the thumbs up…

For some reason this simple gesture of support and solidarity made Ashachu's fur bristle, and he had to clench his jaws shut to suppress a growl. He glanced briefly at Geyser then waved at Hunter with a loud, "Pika!"

Hunter looked over his shoulder and for a brief moment their eyes met. Then Hunter turned his attention back to his opponent, without acknowledging Ashachu at all. Ashachu let out a sad sigh, his ears drooping sadly.

He hadn't had a chance to speak to the Riolu at all since the events of the previous day. Hunter seemed to be ignoring him.

"Pika…"

"Don't take it so hard."

Ashachu felt a soft paw on his shoulder. He turned his head and found Nova beside him, a sympathetic expression on his face.

"I'm sure he'll talk to you when he's ready."

He gave his shoulder a squeeze, which surprising gave Ashachu a warm feeling. Like some of the pain and regret was being eased out of him.

"What makes you so sure," Ashachu replied in a sombre tone.

"I'be seen you to together. You don't just walk away from and ignore a friendship like that. The two of you will resolve whatever differences you have. One way or another!"

"I hope you're right!" Ashachu wasn't entirely sure what he wanted to happen anymore. He really liked Hunter and he couldn't bare the thought of loosing him. The thought of Geyser and Hunter together caused a massive pain in his heart.

But at the same time, he kinda like Blade. Something about that Sneasel was…exciting. Invigorating. Dangerous. Every time he was with Blade was like a rush. A thrill deep inside he never felt at any other time or with anyone else.

The battle got underway…A wave of the referee's flag and the shouts of trainer's voices, as well as the cheers of the spectating Pokémon. Geyser was jumped up and down like a cheer leader with happy cries of "Dewott dew!"

Ashachu rolled his eyes and looked away.

"So," said Nova. "Ash was really thinking about sending you back home."

"Yup," sighed Ashachu. He bit his lip as he the memories of the previous evening played out in his mind…

Flashback

Ash closed the door the room and pulled the Pokéball off his belt, holding it in the palm of his hand. It burst open, silvery white energy releasing from it, and landing on the bed, where it materialised into Ashachu.

Upon regaining his physical form, Ashachu took a quick look around his surroundings. He was in a small room, sparsely furnished with little more furniture than a desk and a set of bunk beds. He realised quickly he must in a room at the Pokémon centre.

How did every single Pokémon centre look the same?

"Well, Ashachu," Ash snapped at him. "You want to tell me what you were doing with Meowth and that Sneasel, tied up in the sand, covered in…" He trailed off.

Ashachu winced at the sound of his trainer's voice, filled with cold fury. He had never heard Ash this angry before. Pikachu was sitting on his shoulder, looking slightly sympathetic, but still annoyed.

He looked down at his. He couldn't bear to look into Ash's eyes.

"Look at me when I'm speaking to you please!"

Ashachu forced himself to look back up. "It's not what you think. We were just!"

"Not what I think," repeated Ash. "Because I think it looked as if you were having sex with Meowth from Team Rocket, and that damn Sneasel."

Ashachu felt a prickle of annoyance. "His name's Blade," he hissed under his breath, though neither Ash nor Pikachu heard him.

"Don't insult me Ashachu. I'm not just some stupid little kid!" Ash snapped. "Ashachu I have told you, again and again. Don't go wandering off on your own. And stay away from that Sneasel. And now I find your spending time with Meowth from Team Rocket. Team Rocket are our enemies remember!"

"It wasn't like that," Ashachu whined. He hated to hear himself whine. "I promise. I met up with Blade and Meowth just sort of…Showed up. He didn't try to do anything to me. Blade wouldn't have let him."

"And you trust that Sneasel?"

"Yes I do," said Ashachu, trying his best to sound defiant, but it came out as more of a squeak.

"Even though he's friends with Meowth?"

"I trust him!"

"Ashachu!" A little colour started to rise in Ash's face and his body trembled with fury. He looked like he was trying very hard not to scream at Ashachu.

Pikachu by contrast spoke softly and with a note of understanding. He put a paw on Ash's cheek to calm him, before saying to Ashachu, "Meowth can't be trusted, dear. He's pretended to be my friend on many occasions before. We've actually managed to work together when we've needed to. But sooner or later he goes right back to trying to kidnap us for Team Rocket. He's really, really dangerous and you shouldn't go near him, whether you trust Blade or not. Ashachu, we know your only saying this because we love you and we don't want to see you get hurt."

"Team rocket are relentless," said Ash. His voice was still calm, but only just. "I don't think got a single Pokémon who at some stage hasn't been stolen by them. They're always trying to take Pikachu. Always! Ashachu, I have nightmares about it. I have woken up in sweats and tears because of it. And you just wandered into his trap and let him start…mating with you!"

"It wasn't a trap," squeaked Ashachu. "We were just playing!"

"That's what he wanted you to think. Ashachu, they had you tied up in the sand."

"We were playing," Ashachu stretched. "He was edging my…" He trailed off, not wanting to finish that sentence.

Ash held up a hand. "I don't want to know exactly what you were doing. But that's another thing. That Sneasel and Meowth are both wild Pokémon. Mating with them is reckless, they could have diseases."

This comment really irritated Ashachu and his fur bristled. "Blade does not have a disease."

"YOU DON'T KNOW THAT!" Ash shouted, his patience finally running out. He stamped his foot, making both Ashachu and Pikachu jump. Pikachu leapt off his shoulder and onto the desk. "Just like you don't know that Meowth wasn't planning something before you let him tie you up. Just like you didn't know what you were doing when you just went walking off into the forest by yourself. DO YOU EVER STOP TO THINK ABOUT ANYTHING!"

Ash was red in the face now and his fist were trembling. His words hit Ashachu like a rock throw to the face. He no longer felt ashamed, or cowardly as he had before. Now he was just annoyed.

He stared Ash right in the face and said, "Oh and you can talk. You're the most stubborn and reckless of all. What about Prism Tower!"

"Don't answer back," Ash spat. "This is about you, not me! I've been a trainer for a long time. I know what I'm doing!"

"Really," Ashachu replied. "It doesn't show."

"Why you!"

"Both of you stop," said Pikachu holding up his paws. The other two turned their heads to look at him. "Ash stop getting angry and shouting, it's not helping. Ashachu, Ash is right, you shouldn't answer back. Anything reckless that Ash has done, doesn't excuse your bad behaviour."

"I can take care of myself you know," continued Ashachu. "I'm strong. I know how to battle. I'm the aura Pikachu remember."

"Which is what makes you valuable to Team Rocket," said Ash. "And thousands of others like them. It's why you need to be careful and stay with us, so we can keep each other safe." He shook his head. "Look the bottom line is Ashachu, if Pikachu and I can't trust you, then how can you travel with us. I think you need to go back to Pallet Town."

Ashachu's heart skipped a beat. "Wh-what you mean I have to…Go away." He looked desperately from Ash to Pikachu.

Pikachu gave him a soft smile before looking up at Ash and asking, "Ash! Is that really necessary."

Ash folded his arms and nodded. "I'm afraid so!"

"N-no please," gasped Ashachu. He felt like the ground had fallen away from beneath him. "You can't. Please, give me another chance."

Ash cut him off. "You've had your chances Ashachu. I think a short time out back in Pallet Town is what you need. I'll give you time to say goodbye to the others."

Ashachu felt tears well up in his eyes. He clasped his paws together and begged Ash. "Please, please don't make me go home. I promise, I won't wander off again. I'll keep away from Blade. Just, please don't make me go back to Pallet. I want to stay here with my friends."

"I don't know Ashachu," said Ash. "I've given you a lot of chances and you keep breaking them."

"Ash, come on, that's a bit too harsh," said Pikachu. "I agree, Ashachu should be punished, but sending him home seems a bit extreme. At least at this stage."

Ash looked at his made seriously. "Pikachu, if I can't trust Ashachu not to wander off, how can we possibly keep him safe."

"I won't wander off again," cried Ashachu desperately.

"Just a moment ago you were saying you could take care of yourself and calling me reckless."

"Well, you can be a little reckless," Pikachu suggested, causing Ash to glare at him.

"Not helping Pikachu!" He let out a beleaguered sigh. "I'm sorry Ashachu. You know I don't want to do this, but you haven't left me with much choice. Ashachu, Pikachu and I both love you and we don't want anything bad to happen to you. And if you keep wandering off by yourself and playing with wild Pokémon. And Team Rocket. Something bad is going to happen. It already has!"

Ashachu groaned and looked back down at his paws, his ears and tail drooping sadly. He felt numb. Part of him couldn't believe this was actually happening.

Ash continued. "And I don't want to see it happen again. And it looks like the only way to keep you out of danger is to send you back to professor Oak's. I'm sorry Ashachu, but this is the way it has to be!"

"No please don't send me back home," Ashachu begged, tears running down his face. He fell to his knees and clasped his paws together. "I promise I'll be good. I won't run away again. I won't talk to Blade or Meowth again!" He was crying so hard he couldn't see.

"You really don't need to do this Pikapi," said a forlorn Pikachu.

Ash sighed. "Alright! But I'm warning you Ashachu, anymore exploring and you will have to leave the team! And from now on I'm assigning another Pokémon to watch over you!"

End of flashback

The fire mouse shook his head, his long nose sweeping through the air. "Man, that's rough!"

"Oh Ashy," said Sniveon sadly, speaking for the first time. "I'm so glad he didn't. I would really, really miss you if you went away." She put her arms around him and gave Ashachu a big hug. Ashachu found himself lost in a sea of orange fur.

"I mean, Ash is punishing you just for getting laid," continued Nova. "It's so wrong."

"Sniveon," Ashachu groaned through her fur. "I can't breathe in here."

Sniveon released him, allowing Ashachu to catch his breath, before looking at Nova. "Sorry, Nova. What did you say!"

"I said Ash shouldn't punish you for having a relationship with Blade. It's so typical of humans to be so prejudiced."

"Well, he's not really prejudiced," Sniveon replied. "He's just trying to keep Ashachu safe. I mean. We don't know anything about this Sneasel."

There we go again with this Sneasel. Why couldn't anyone use Blade's name, Ashachu wondered.

Sniveon frowned at Ashachu. "I have to Ashy; you have been a bit irresponsible."

"If Ashachu and Blade like each other," said Nova. "Then the humans should stay out of it. Pokémon don't do evil. We're not cruel to each other for no reason. It's not in our instinct. And our instincts always let us know who we should trust and who we shouldn't. It's just typical human arrogance and prejudice."

The Cyndaquil shook his head. "But I suppose Ash is your parent and trainer."

Sniveon turned her frown on Nova. "Oh, come on Nova. You can't really think that all Pokémon are inherently good. What about Team Rocket's Pokémon? Or Team Flare's Pokémon. I mean, I heard what that Mightyena did to Pikachu!"

"Pokémon aren't bad," replied Nova. "They only do bad things because their humans are bad. As Blade has no human trainer or captor, why would he be bad?"

Ashachu smirked, trying to resist the urge to roll his eyes. Typical Nova.

"Okay, but what about…" Sniveon begun, but she was distracted at that moment by a loud explosion from the battlefield. For a moment the stands were covered in dust and smoke and there was a fit of coughing.

Ashachu couldn't see anything beyond the end of Nova's nose beside him.

What had happened? Probably two special attacks colliding. Neither Ashachu, Nova or Sniveon had been paying close enough attention to notice. The smoke cleared as quickly as it has formed and the two Pokémon were left standing on the battlefield, panting heavily.

"Looks like Hunter's about to hit the wall," said Nova.

Geyser let out a gasp of horror and clasped his paws together. "Oh Hunter! Please be okay."

Ashachu scowled. "It's like he's never seen a Pokémon battle before!"

The battle quickly recommenced and Hunter and Breeloom were quickly trading blows again, with their trainer encouragement.

"The thing I'm saying Ashachu," Nova continued, gripping Ashachu's shoulder with his paw again. "Is that your parent's may be your parents, but I think they're wrong to punish you this severely, when your only crime is what? Making a friend. Maybe some Pokémon do bad things occasionally. But there's always a reason. But Blade really is bad, or doing something bad for humans, you'd be able to sense. All Pokémon can sense who their friends and foes are. It's called instinct! And Ash as a human should listen to you, not assume just assume he's right all the time. That's privilege. Same goes for Meowth!"

Ashachu coxed his head at Nova, then gave him a weak smile. He was surprised how comforting the words felt.

"Wow Nova," said a perplexed Sniveon, only have sarcastically. She tapped her paws together in mock applause. "That's really profound. I forgot how deep the well goes."

Nova gave her that cocky smirk that both irritated and charmed Ashachu so. "You're mocking me."

Sniveon shrugged. "Well, most of the time you don't make any sense. I still don't agree with you. I think some Pokémon are just bad and can't be trusted. And don't always thinks instinct is enough to tell who the good and bad ones are. And I certainly wouldn't trust Meowth. He is in Team Rocket after all."

"I don't know about Meowth," Ashachu replied. "Whenever I've spoken to him, when he's not with Team Rocket, he always seems like a sweet sensitive kinda guy. Even if he is creepy and weird. I mean, Serperior clearly likes and trust him."

"Does she know he's been getting his rocks off with you and that Sneasel behind her back?"

"Maybe it's an open relationship," Ashachu suggested. He of course had no idea.

The conversation was interrupted at that point by the referee shouting, "Breeloom is unable to battle. Riolu wins. The match goes to the challenger, Cameron from Aspertia City." The stands broke into the usual cheering and applause for Cameron and his team.

At once, Geyser leapt from the stands and sprinted across the battlefield to embrace Hunter. He was at Hunter's side faster than Cameron was. The poor Riolu hadn't even had time to catch his breath, or allow for the win to sink in, before he found himself wrapped in the Dewott's arms.

He looked surprised for a moment, then closed his eyes and hugged Geyser back…

Ashachu growled. "Oh no you don't." He leapt from his seat and ran out onto the field. He had to talk to Hunter. And it had to be now. Before Geyser could cause any more trouble.

"Ashachu. Get back here," squealed Axew from behind, but Ashachu ignored him. He wasn't running away or breaking rules by going to congratulate Hunter, surely?

"Hunter," he shouted as he skidded to a halt.

"Hmm." Hunter had his nose buried in Geyser's shoulder. He looked up at the sound of Ashachu's voice. "Oh. Hello Ashachu."

"Hunter, you…" Ashachu begun, but was cut off.

"I thought you'd gone home! That's what dad told me!"

"Hunter, what's wrong?" Asked Ashachu.

Hunter sounded different, uninterested even. Nothing in his body language, or his eyes seemed to suggest that Hunter felt anything about his supposed best friend, whom he'd only been apart from for a short period in their entire lives, was leaving. On the contrary, he was staring at Ashachu coldly.

"Ashachu stop. Stop before you do any more damage."

Ashachu coxed his head. "Damage? To what?"

"To our friendship. I saw what you were doing with Blade and Meowth. It's obvious how you really feel." His eyes narrowed. "Tell me! Did you ever actually feel anything for me. Or did you just mate with because you were jealous of Geyser, like everyone keeps saying?"

"Wait what?" Ashachu stared at him incredulously. "I seem to recall that it was you who ended our relationship."

"And within five minutes of which, you were getting your rocks off with that Sneasel."

"His name is Blade," Ashachu said before he could stop himself.

"Goodbye Ashachu," Hunter snapped before turning his back to him.

Ashachu gaped at him. This was why Ashachu had been ignoring him. He experience a rush of emotions. Guilt and what he had done, fear that he was about to lose his best friend and anger at Hunter's reaction.

To make matters worse, Geyser chose that moment to put his arm around Hunter's shoulder. And, horrifyingly, Hunter accepted the embrace, sliding his paw around Geyser's back and resting his head on his shoulder.

Anger exploded through Ashachu like an electro ball. No, more powerful than electro ball. More like a hyper beam.

"Fine, be that way," he shouted at the top of his lungs. "And FUCK YOU Geyser. You're a boyfriend stealing piece of shit."

He turned tail and ran, back across the battlefield toward the door. He couldn't stay there. He felt the eyes of every Pokémon and human in the room staring at him. Even Brawly and Breeloom.

Ashachu knew he would get in trouble for running off again, but right now he didn't care. If anything, being away far away from the others would be good actually.