Ash and Tail in the Grass talked for a bit more, played for a bit, and then shared some berry mash provided by Poison Lance, before parting ways. Ash told the rattata that he'd try to see him next time they were in the forest and the rattata said that he'd be looking forward to it.
That night Ash had a nightmare about black beasts with glowing mouths chasing him through a forest and about a woman with auburn hair. He awoke covered in cold sweat and was comforted by Flygirl, Pocket Watch, and Poison Lance.
Two days later Ash and his caretakers departed the Viridian forest and headed for the Sinnoh region and Canalave City. Along the way, Ash's caretakers had him stay at playgrounds while Flygirl rested her wings. Ash met kids his age each. Ash left kids his age never to see them again each day.
Ash found that it could be hard talking to human children, both he and they just seemed so clumsy when trying to use human speech to communicate. For some reason, it was just easier to say what he wanted to say using the way pokemon talked. Ash wished he could just always talk like a pokemon.
When he mentioned that to Poison Lance the weedle had briefly and openly panicked - at least, openly to those who knew him well - and had then gone to talk with the other two. He then returned and told Ash that he a) must spend at least twenty minutes a day talking to his pokemon caretakers using human speech and b) shouldn't use pokemon communication around humans.
Why not? Ash had asked.
We do not want any awkward questions, Poison Lance had replied. If humans in authority learned of your situation, they may attempt to take you from us and put you into an orphanage or a foster system. And there you would be defenseless.
Fine, Ash said grumpily, kicking a pebble.
After months of travel, they made it to Canalave City, a series of small, mountainous islands, covered in green forests and groups of buildings connected by bridges scattered all about. Pocket Watch located a kindergarten and went about the work of enrolling Ash under the false name of Aaron Waters and implanting false memories of the staff meeting non-existent human parents.
Kindergarten was a change from daycare. For one thing, Poison Lance was keeping Ash at the same school and instead changed where they hid at night. Which meant that Ash could actually get to know the staff, such as Ms. Smalls and Mrs. Littlefield. And they actually taught him stuff! Like reading!
Ash wanted to try and learn more about humans! Flygirl, Poison Lance, and Pocket Watch knew some things but were utterly confused about other matters. Of course, Ms. Smalls and Mrs. Littlefield couldn't tell him everything, but it was all new and wonderful to Ash.
The year passed with the sort of slowness that only young children can really understand, where each day seemed so full, where five minutes was an absolute eternity, and nothing ever seemed to be changing until it suddenly changed. Later summer became autumn, where Ash and two humans named Shelly and Jack played in the leaves, and then winter came and there were snowball fights with his friends, and then the snow melted and Ash felt like he had known them forever, and summer came-
And summer came with Poison Lance saying that it was time to leave.
I don't want to leave! Can't I just go to first grade with Shelly and Jack? Ash pleaded, hands together before him. Please!
I am sorry Ash, Poison Lance replied. But you are aware of why we cannot do that.
We could stay a little longer, Flygirl suggested. Maybe they could do summer things together?
No, Pocket Watch said shaking his head. It would be too dangerous to alter the minds of them and their parents. We're pushing our luck already by staying here so long. I'm sorry Ash, but I agree with Poison Lance. It's time to leave.
No! I hate you! I hate you! Ash shouted, stomping, and starting to tear up. I'm going to stay here, and you can't stop me!
Oh? And how will you get berry mash? Poison Lance asked.
I'll have Shelly's parents make me some, Ash shouted. I can live with Jack or Shelly, so I don't have to leave again.
Ash…...
Why can't we just stay, Ash said through his tears. Why do we have to keep leaving?
Shhhhhh, Poison Lance cooed, nuzzling against the boy's shoulder. We must keep moving to keep you safe. Not only you, but any friends like Jack and Shelly. The people after you would hurt them as well.
Why me? Ash said, still crying. Can't they pick on a different kid?
We do not know why, Poison Lance answered, still nuzzling the boy, perhaps, one day, we shall find out more. It might even be that they will have given up on acquiring you when that time arrives.
Maybe they've already given up, Ash sniffed, putting his arms around the weedle.
I dearly wish that is the case, Poison Lance said. But I would rather not risk your life on such a wish. When you are older, we can try to find Jack and Shelly again.
Promise? Ash sniffed.
If that is what you desire, then we will do our best to make it possible.
Ash said his tearful goodbyes to his human friends and then he was gone before the current month ended. Poison Lance had them move to the north-east, to a small place called Floaroma Town so they could plot where they would stay next year.
They were there for several days, while Poison Lance, Pocket Watch, and Flygirl debated locations. Meanwhile, Ash played in a local park, spending as much time as he could with the children there. It was just another routine stop, the sort they had done a dozen times before. There was no reason it should be any different, no reason why anything should happen to go wrong, except for the fact that something happened to go wrong.
The three pokemon were arguing telepathically as Flygirl kept watch on Ash. Yellow sunlight flitted through tree branches and around large fluffy white clouds as the summer sun baked the land below. A light breeze brought mild relief and the scent of freshly trimmed grass to those who were outside on that day. Birds and flying types chirped and sang. Children laughed in the park.
Flygirl quit arguing with her comrades when she noticed suspicious movement down below. People, casually dressed people, were moving down below, some of them complete strangers, some of them people she had seen out and about town for at least a few days. Individually none of their movements were concerning, but when viewed from above one could see a pattern.
There was a group of people coming through the town, like a fishing net trawling the ocean floor.
# We've got trouble #, the noctowl thought at her comrades, sharing the image of what she saw with them, accidentally leaking the growing tightness, nervousness, and gnawing fear she was suddenly feeling.
Ash was playing tag with a boy named Louie and his friends. The children scampered over plastic playground, heated in the summer sun, tapping each other and then running back the way they came. They shouted and laughed as they ran.
Flygirl wasn't the only one letting things leak over the link. A solid wave of emotion issued out of Poison Lance before he regained control of himself.
# I'll grab Ash and get him out of there # Pocket Watch communicated over the link. Poison Lance started to issue an agreement over the link and then an older part of him made itself known. The instincts of a wild weedle, the instincts of a trained pokemon. The instincts of a poison type.
# Be ready to extract Ash, but do not do so yet # Poison Lance said through the link cold fear and steely determination eating at him. # First you must ascertain their intentions. And then we must wait and see if they attempt to acquire Ash. #
# Are! You! Outta! Your! Damn! Mind! # Flygirl managed to 'shout' telepathically. # Get him out of there- #
# No, I get what he's getting at. # Pocket Watch interrupted. # We need information desperately if this is going to work out in the long term. I'm going to see what I can gather from their minds. #
# If anythin' happens to Ash I will kill you both, comrades be damned! # Flygirl mentally screamed.
# If anything happens to Ash because of this I would want you to kill me! # Poison Lance shouted back. # But this is the best option for now. #
# Some of them have defensive training. # Pocket Watch stated. # But it's not the same as the one we found at the Ketchum home. #
# That could mean that he is not part of the same organization or that the organization has different methods of mental protection. # Poison Lance stated. # We need more information. #
Minutes passed like years.
Ash chased someone up a slide, only for them to run across the playset's plastic bridge, and circle back around. He attempted to corner them by switching directions, but they switched when he did. Ash could have chosen a different target to tag, but now he wanted to win against this person!
Men and women continued moving through the town with a malevolent purpose, while Pocket Watch attempted to scan their minds. Poison Lance and Flygirl waited, hidden and breathless.
It was the worst sort of tension, where the sufferers were not only helpless but also bored. There was nothing they could do but hide, not knowing if they had already been discovered, but also far enough away from the action where they had no stimulus to occupy them, nothing to focus on, nothing to do but worry. They alternated between torturing themselves with worst-case scenarios and staring blankly forward with nothing on their mind.
# They're not after Ash specifically. I repeat, they are not after Ash specifically. # Pocket Watch stated after a seemingly immeasurable span of time, that was, in reality, a few minutes. Poison Lance and Flygirl let out simultaneous sighs of relief.
# What are they here to accomplish then? # Poison Lance asked.
# They're…. scanning people? # Pocket Watch replied. They have some sort of device… they don't know what it's for, but they're to identify people that the device reacts strongly too. And if reacts strongly enough they're to try and silently retrieve the person right then and there. #
# Pocket Watch, get ready. I have a plan if the device reacts to Ash. # Poison Lance said.
Ash was starting to get bored of playing tag. He had been playing for ten minutes, but it felt like hours! It was time to talk to the other kids about switching games.
There were a couple of strange men and women at the edge of the park next to the playground. They weren't interesting so Ash ignored them and continued playing. He thought he saw them holding some sort of gizmo out of the corner of his eye at times, and then they were whispering to each other, not looking anywhere near him. Then they all started to move-
And suddenly he was in the forest, hearing the pop of displaced air, and the group was trapped in a net of white weedle silk. Pocket Watch stood nearby, glowing softly with purple light, as the men and women in the net struggled briefly before falling asleep.
"What-"
Ash, get behind me, Poison Lance told the boy. Pocket Watch, how long will it take for you to extract everything?
From this many people? Probably an hour, the hypno answered, rubbing his chin. Can you cocoon them before you go?
It will not take even a minute, Poison Lance answered, Ash can you stay there for a minute. I will explain things shortly. Ash waited there, wide-eyed with growing fear, as Poison Lance went to work encasing the captives in bundles of yet more silk. There you have it. This should hold them for some time.
Now come with me Ash, the weedle said, turning to the human child. We should let Pocket Watch work in peace.
Who? What's going on? Ash was wide eyed at this point and had started to tremble.
We are not sure, Poison Lance answered, gently nuzzling the boy to get him moving away from the hypno and the captives. But Ash. They did not come here looking for you specifically.
But why did you-
They did not come to this town to find you personally, Poison Lance continued. But they were looking for people who triggered a scanning device they had.
And it reacted to me, Ash was breathing very fast now. Are they my hunters?
That is what we are trying to find out, Poison Lance said, looking up. Ah, good Flygirl has arrived. The noctowl swooped down through the forest canopy and immediately engulfed Ash under one large wing.
Are you okay Ash? She asked as the boy returned the hug, gripping her like a lifeline. Shhh. Don't be scared, we're here. You're safe. We've dealt with them. And we'll eat their eyes for even thinking of trying to get you. There was a small strangled hiccup of laughter from Ash.
Don't. I don't want the image in my nightmares, Ash said, half laughing, half crying.
Oh, don't worry, I'd save some for ya, Flygirl said, gently rubbing his back with her wing.
That doesn't make it any better!
An hour came and went. Poison Lance passed the time making some berry mash, lots of berry mash. Ash spent the time cuddling with Flygirl and eating the berry mash. Nobody felt like talking.
Pocket Watch eventually wandered back into the campsite, looking tired. A small shallow hole appeared in the center of the clearing and sticks began to float out of the surrounding forest and arrange themselves for a fire.
I got everything I could, Pocket Watch said, sitting down and leaning against a tree. But it looks like Team Galactic is good at information control. None of them knew much.
So, they were part of Team Galactic, Poison Lance said, nodding to himself.
Ever heard of 'em? Flygirl asked, while Ash peaked out from behind one of her wings.
Not even once, Poison Lance answered. Pocket Watch, was there any indication that they were the same people who tried to take Ash once before?
I can't say, Pocket Watch replied. None of them knew of any Kanto operations. None of them even knew what they were looking for, just that they should record people who got a high enough reading on this scanner device, Pocket Watch held up what looked like a small device with a screen and some buttons, and if they saw anyone who got a really high rating they were to retrieve them immediately if possible. Which they tried to do to Ash.
I have not seen that particular device before. Have you? Poison Lance asked.
No, Pocket Watch replied. We should keep it in case we run into someone who can look at this thing. I've already removed the power source, but we'll also need to pick up a lead box to make sure it's not sending any signals.
That is a good idea, Poison Lance agreed. We will have to bury it tonight just in case and come back for it tomorrow. What else did you learn?
Team Galactic is either very stupid or very brilliant, Pocket Watch went on, most of our captives had different ideas about what the end goals of the organization were, other than it would somehow grant them power. Their mental defense training wasn't the same as the man we found in Kanto-
Which does not tell us anything, Poison Lance interjected. It may be that he belonged to a different organization which is after whatever quality of Ash this machine detected, but it might also be that Team Galactic has multiple methods of mental defense training, and due to operational security has not shared any information about efforts in other regions between groups.
I'm inclined to think that Team Galactic wasn't behind what happened in Kanto, Pocket Watch said, watching two sticks rub together to light the fire. They had some knowledge of other operations, all of them in Sinnoh. Nothing about Kanto or Unova, unlike the man we found at the Ketchum home.
Then why were they also after me? Ash asked, body and voice trembling. What's so special about me?
I wish we could tell you, Poison Lance sighed, coming over to nuzzle the boy. He looked back at Pocket Watch. I am inclined to agree with you about Team Galactic. We found out their name too easily, unlike what happened in Kanto. It is not definitive, but we also have no solid evidence linking them to what happened in Kanto either.
So, we've got two groups to watch out for, Flygirl growled. Well, just means I have to get my talons dirty-
Ash, are you feeling tired yet? Poison Lance interrupted her. Would you like to go to sleep now?
I'm not tired, but I'd like to sleep, Ash answered.
Pocket Watch, could you assist? Poison Lance inquired. I'll just go make his bed.
Sure, Pocket Watch said, groaned and then got up. He walked over to Ash, took the boy's hand, and then led him over to where Poison Lance was swiftly constructing a bedroll out of weedle silk. Ash crawled into the bed and then Pocket Watch put his hand on his head. There was a brief glow and then Ash was asleep.
Pocket Watch, what did you do with the captives? Poison Lance asked once Ash was asleep.
They're dead and buried, Pocket Watch answered.
Good, Poison Lance nodded, and then went on. We may have more than two groups to be wary of. We are still unaware of what they want from Ash. There may be other groups out there that desire this thing.
What could it be? And are they all searching for it the same way? Pocket Watch asked.
What do you mean? Poison Lance inquired.
Team Galactic used this scanner to look for whatever it was they were looking for, Pocket Watch elaborated. It was short-ranged; they had to have a visual on the target and be within shouting distance of the person they were scanning. Is that a limitation that other group or groups might share? Or do they have other ways of tracking people like Ash?
I get what you're sayin', Flygirl said. Did they see him, sniff him, or track him? Poison Lance, I've probably asked ya somethin' like this before, but were there any strangers around the Ketchum home before the attack? I don't remember if you've said.
I cannot say for certain, Poison Lance replied, eyes narrowing in thought. I do not believe that I heard word of such, but it may have been a bit of gossip I had missed, or they came in stealth.
So, we don't know if the first group saw, sniffed, or tracked, Flygirl sighed.
Sorry, but I understand what you're saying by 'saw' in this context, Pocket Watch said, waving the device. But what does 'sniffed' or 'tracked' mean?
Sniffed means they could tell he was in the area, Flygirl explained, but they might not have had a fixin' where. Tracked means they found him based on some sorta other clues. Maybe it runs in his family and that's how they found him the first time?
I see, Pocket Watch said. In any case, we now have to worry about various groups 'seeing' Ash, so to speak. But that does prompt another question; why are they all making their moves now?
Either somethin's commin' or someone's proddin' things, Flygirl said. Or maybe someone's proddin' these groups because there's somethin commin?
That does make an unfortunate amount of sense, Poison Lance admitted. I had hoped that I would never live to see such a time again, but I remember that is not my choice to make. It matters little for now, we have to plan where we will live next.
Ash had another nightmare that night. Monsters with fiery mouths chased him through the dark while shadowy people grabbed at him. He awoke to cold sweat and his caretaker's comforting embrace.
The pokemon decided that Ash would attend first grade in Fortree city, in the region of Hoenn. It was a city in the trees, where wild pokemon wandered freely. Pocket Watch, Poison Lance, and Flygirl would have an easier time sticking by Ash that way. And, after Ash finished first grade, they would steal books and hope that Ash could manage with some self-study, assisted by Pocket Watch, who had managed to learn how to read by observing Ash's classes.
Along the way they stopped by Viridian Forest again.
Ash had been looking forward to meeting with Fire of the Forest Sunrise and Fire of the Forest Moonrise again. He was bouncing with excitement at the prospect of meeting them again.
Poison Lance managed to locate Farfetch'd and Ninetales again, and as was becoming tradition, the four of them stopped in to stay with the local family. The adults talked while the children both talked and played.
Ash was happier than he had been for weeks. Just meeting up with some old friends after having to leave his new friends was nice; it reminded him that he might see Jack and Shelly again. That just because he had to leave a place once it didn't mean he couldn't return.
He and the vulpixes played tag. They playfought. Hide and seek was attempted, but Ash's human sense of smell put him at a significant disadvantage. Tickle fights were also attempted, but Ash's human fingers gave him a significant advantage. And near the end of the day, when everyone was tired, they just sat and talked.
And then Shelly threw a snowball at me, Ash said, finishing a story from his time in Sinnoh. It was fun.
I didn't know you could do so much with snow, commented Sunrise. Other than melt it maybe? But then it's just water and mud, and it gets everywhere.
If we were like those Alola cousin's mom told us about then maybe we could make ice sculptures, Moonrise chimed in. But we still couldn't do anything with the snow. Maybe if we evolved and could use our tails….
There were how many? Ninetales hissed under her breath several yards away from the children.
About seven or eight humans, Poison Lance whispered in a low voice, glancing over. We were able to intercept them before they got close to Ash. They are deceased now.
By the Flames of the Sun, I would still be off-kilter if it had been me in that situation, Ninetales admitted. I don't think I could have taken them down before they got out weapons or pokemon.
I'm not sure I would've let him play with humans in the first place, Farfetch'd said. But that might be worse in its own way.
This continued for several hours. And then Fire of the Forest Sunrise decided that she and Fire of the Forest Moonrise should get dinner for Ash.
We're the hosts! And so, it's our job to get the food! Sunrise said cheerily.
And we want to hunt! It's so much fun! Moonrise added. Can we mom? Please?
Fine. But don't get too far from us, Ninetales said. And be back in half an hour.
They returned twenty minutes later, with a small charred body in Sunrise's mouth. She proudly dropped it in front of Ash and didn't notice his gasp of horror.
Dinner! Fire of the Forest Sunset chirped over the corpse of Tail in the Grass.
Orange light from the setting sun covered Ash as he sobbed and shivered. Sunrise and Moonrise loitered awkwardly several meters away, next to where their parents, Flygirl, and Pocket Watch were sitting. Poison Lance was nuzzling the boy.
If some force had managed to grant Ash the ability to regain composure in that instant, to temporarily shut down the horrible burning cold emptiness within him, to relieve the horrible feeling of wet pressure behind his eyes, to be able to organize his thoughts into words, and to be able to look up once more with open clear eyes, and then if the same force had asked Ash why he was crying so much, Ash still would not have been able to explain why he felt so bad.
Tail in the Grass had not been a close friend, or a relative, or even someone Ash had known long; he had been a pokemon that Ash once had a conversation with. But Tail in the Grass had said that he was looking forward to seeing Ash again.
Just another whom Ash would never talk to again.
Would he never get to talk to his other friends again?
Would he keep losing friends old and new?
Would he eventually just be alone until it was time for him to leave the world?
Why was this happening to him?
Why couldn't he quit crying?
Did we do something wrong? Sunrise asked in a small voice, huddled by her mother. I just wanted to get some food. I didn't know he knew any pokemon around here…
Ninetales sighed.
There's a reason my diet has consisted largely of fish since I met your father, Ninetales told her offspring. It was always a fear of mine that I would catch one of his friends or relatives. These days I only eat pokemon if I catch them hunting you two or your father.
But Ash isn't a pokemon, Moonrise said, sounding confused. And he was barely here.
He was here long enough to meet you two, Ninetales said, gently stroking her children's heads with her tails. Still this was a rather unlikely outcome. The odds of you catching any of his friends should have been very low.
So, we didn't do anything wrong, Moonrise said.
I wouldn't go that far, Pocket Watch said.
So, we did do something wrong, Moonrise sighed turning to Pocket Watch.
It's not that simple, Flygirl said.
True. Human philosophers can spend years debating whether an act was right or wrong, depending on what is known about the context surrounding the act, the consequences of the act, and the people involved, Pocket Watch explained. They can spend absurd amounts of time examining the most trivial details in hopes that said detail will illuminate the answer to the main question.
You just tried to give your friend a fresh meal, Flygirl added, in a way you do all the time. There's nothin' wrong with that. But….
In the end you hurt Ash, Pocket Watch finished.
Does he get upset when you go hunting? Sunrise asked in a small voice.
I don't hunt anymore, Flygirl answered. Haven't since I joined Lucas's team.
Neither I nor Poison Lance hunt anymore either, Pocket Watch added, though I do eat the occasional nightmare. Most pokemon who've had trainers don't eat other pokemon anymore. When you're on a trainer's team the trainer provides the food for you and humans don't like eating sapient beings. So, we ate processed chow, fish, animal, and sweets for years and didn't have to hear a small pokemon screaming in terror before it became our dinner.
I didn't realize how much better it was livin' like that for about a year, Flygirl continued. I was out scoutin' and I got hungry. There was this delicious looking furret, but I just couldn't bring myself to go after it. I ended up getting confused and decided to eat some acorns. Later I talked to Plush about it and he told me that I had gotten used to not carryin' that pain around with me. I couldn't bring myself to go back to that.
Is that why some pokemon go join with trainers? Moonrise was still quiet, but her voice wasn't as subdued.
For some, yes that's the reason, Pocket Watch answered. It's not the only reason. Some pokemon do it to get stronger. Some do it to see the world. Some do it just because they like their trainers.
Maybe we should go find a trainer, Sunrise said. Then we wouldn't do this again.
Is that true? Ash asked sometime later, when the sun was almost gone, the first stars were peeking through the night, and the gentle light of scattered fireflies was beginning to make itself known. That humans don't eat pokemon?
For the most part, Poison Lance answered. How much of that conversation did you hear?
Only what Pocket Watch said, Ash sniffed. So, we don't eat pokemon?
There is the occasional person who has or will eat a pokemon, Poison Lance answered slowly. But it is typically because of desperation or for a ritual of some significance. It is extremely uncommon within human civilization for a person to eat a pokemon simply because they desired to do so.
That sounds nice, Ash replied, rubbing under his nose. Will I ever be able to live there, or can I only visit?
Poison Lance didn't answer at first. He stared into the deepening night forest, as the fireflies played and the stars revealed themselves over the cooling world below.
We are doing our best to make it so that you can live amongst humans safely when you are older, Poison Lance finally said. But, I admit, part of me worries that you will always be in danger. It might be safer if you restrained yourself from visiting human civilization instead of dwelling there.
"But if I stay out here, my friends will eat each other", Ash answered, switching methods of communication. "And maybe I'd want to deal with my hunters instead of that."
When you are older, it will be your choice, Poison Lance replied. But I do implore you, do not needlessly risk yourself. The civilization that your people have constructed has its own perils and cruelties.
"But it doesn't have friends eating friends." Ash shot back. "And I can help make it better. You're always talking about how Lucas and you guys helped out. If I become a trainer, I can do that. I can fight my hunters too! And my friends won't have to eat each other."
Poison Lance closed his eyes.
The years I spent with my trainer were the happiest times of my life. Poison Lance answered. Yet it was a dangerous life-
"Like my life isn't already dangerous-"
It would add yet more danger to your already overburdened life. Poison Lance retorted. And still part of me, part of me would like nothing better than for you to partake in that life despite the trials and tribulations.
When Poison Lance opened his eyes, they were the eyes of a much younger Poison Lance.
If that is truly your choice, I know that I cannot help but give my blessing.
When they parted ways, the goodbyes were awkward and muttered, Ash and the vulpixes unsure of what to say to each other, how to face each other after that night. Following that Flygirl conveyed the group to Fortree City in Hoenn.
Pocket Watch went through the now-routine motions of sneaking Ash into the school system, under the name of Aaron Storms while Flygirl scouted, and Poison Lance gathered and built. Though, for once, they did not feel the need to keep a low profile as they traveled; wild pokemon freely came and went throughout the city.
And what a city it was! A network of buildings in the branches, connected by rope bridges, like a child's fantasy of a treehouse city made real. Of course, the entire city couldn't fit in the canopies, many of the larger buildings rested on the humble earth instead, but enough of the city was sky-bound to amaze Ash.
Wild pokemon freely came and went, falling asleep and blocking walkways and roads. Flying pokemon chirped and flew everywhere. Many other types of pokemon, from normal to bug to grass wandered about amongst the people living in the city, crawling on buildings, roads and trees.
Pocket Watch's duties were made much easier; no one commented on the apparently sleeping hypno lounging on branches around the city. Flygirl's duties were a little more difficult, she had to deal with a significantly larger amount of aerial traffic. Unexpectedly, Poison Lance's job was made more difficult; to avoid interference from the local pokemon he had to hide deeper in the surrounding forest than he had originally planned.
As for Ash, the first grade did not go as well as kindergarten had. With the memories of Jack, Shelly, Fire of the Forest Sunrise, Fire of the Forest Moonrise, and Tail in the Grass still fresh in his head Ash didn't bother making any friends.
Not that the other children would have been receptive to such overtures in the first place. He wasn't sure what was different about the children in first grade at the school in Fortree, but they didn't seem to like it. Ash didn't know why.
Maybe they thought he talked weird? Or maybe it was because he didn't understand what they were going on about when they talked about their favorite cartoons, movies, sports teams, or famous trainers? Maybe it was the fact that he brought in strange lunches almost every day, consisting of berries, nuts, and the occasional stolen bit of jerky or meat snack?
Or maybe it was the smell of his clothes? Ash himself washed regularly, but neither he nor his pokemon caretakers really knew how to do laundry. The closest they came was rinsing the clothes in clean water a few times before Pocket Watch stole some more.
In the end, the cause didn't matter. Ash didn't try to be included and the other children didn't try to include him. To a certain extent that attitude extended to the teacher. She seemed to have a mild dislike for the boy as well.
However, Ash was one of the top students in the class, for what it was worth in the first formal year of schooling. He knew that he would need to learn as much as he could so that he could get by on self-study for the next couple of years. His efforts were shown in his work, and so he was mostly ignored by the teacher.
The year dragged on with agonizing slowness. It wasn't a bad year, but it was a drab year, which in many ways was worse. There were no significant pains to overcome, only the constant slow grind lessons and homework done on logs, of recesses and lunches alone, of long nights in the forest when he didn't particularly feel like talking to anybody.
Finally, it came to end with the arrival of the next summer.
AN: I'd like to thank Magnive for beta reading.
Had some issues with some of these scenes, but I finally got them to a state where I consider them to be 'acceptable'.
Still have a large buffer, but due to real life events it's becoming harder to keep up my old pace. Hopefully that will change soon.
Don't forget to leave a review.
Minor edits as of 6/7/2012:AN