Ash said goodbye to Jack once they were back on shore – and to Brock, as well, as the Pewter Gym Leader set out north to return to his home – then took the journey to Pallet Town, deep in thought.

"Everything all right?" Latias checked.

"Yeah, I'm just thinking," Ash explained. "I know I talked to Rayquaza, before, and I've got Miraidon and the others, but… there's this whole extended family, and most of them don't know about me, and I don't know anything much about them."

He tossed his head in the vague direction of the sea. "And with how I met Kyogre, and how Max and May met those people who were distant relatives… it really got me thinking about it."

Latias nodded, understanding.

"I think I know what you mean," she said.

"I feel like…" Ash began, then paused. "I guess I feel like… I don't know. Should I be looking for the other members of my family? I don't really know where to start looking, but is that wrong?"

"It's not a should, Ash," Pikachu told him. "It's up to you. If you feel like you want to go looking for Arceus, or for Groudon or whoever, then we'll come with you."

"Thanks, Pikachu," Ash replied, touched. "I… yeah."

They crested a hill, and Ash stopped and sighed at the sight of Pallet Town.

"Home," he said.

"...yeah, it is," Latias agreed. "For me, as well. I didn't realize it until you said it, but… Altomare's still got a place in my heart, but I feel comfortable here."

For the rest of the day, Ash… just relaxed.

Not training for the Pokémon League, or a challenge that was coming his way. Not trying to rescue a Pokémon from a bad situation, or helping a friend work something out.

Just… spending time with his Pokémon, from Pikachu right through to Zorua, and some of the other Pokémon around Pallet besides that.

Then, that evening, they went back home.

"Welcome," Lucario said, bowing to Ash. "It is good to see you."

"Lucario, that makes me uncomfortable," Ash admitted.

"I do it to everyone," Lucario told him.

Ash considered.

"That does help, actually," he admitted. "How have you been doing?"

"Better," Lucario said, then raised his paw and closed an eye.

"Is something wrong?" Ash checked.

"Just checking," Lucario explained. "You're still… very, very bright. Too bright to look at, really. But comparing to what I saw before, I think… you're a little more sure of yourself."

"It doesn't really feel like that," Ash said.

Delia chuckled. "Well, take it from me, Ash," she said. "I can see that you're doing better. That you're calmer. So – that's good."

"Thanks, Mom," Ash replied. "I guess I have to believe it, if you say so."

"That's right," Delia said. "And don't you forget it, Ash Ketchum!"

Latias giggled.

"I think you should listen to her, Ash," she advised.

"Yeah, I know," Ash replied. "I… thanks, Mom. I've been thinking so much about family lately, and… thank you for being such a good example for me."

That evening, Ash was just bedding down – Mom had made sure parts of the house were widened so he'd fit, and he was in his old room, though not precisely on his old bed – when a small pink shape floated in though the window.

"Is this a good time?" Mew asked.

"Of course," Ash replied, glancing through the window at the darkening sky. "Uh… would you rather talk about it outside? Or is it something else?"

He looked over at his bags, then got up and looked in the direction of the Ranch. "I could get Noctowl, she's going to be awake-"

"Inside is fine," Mew interrupted. "It's not something that's big, or dangerous, it's just… some thoughts. Some questions."

They floated over to sit on one of the cushions around where Ash was, and Ash sank back down again as well. "And… I think I'm ready now."

"Ready?" Ash asked.

He sort of guessed, but he didn't want to pressure Mew.

"I think I'd like to come with you," they said, fiddling with the fabric of their scarf. "Where it is you're going, I mean. Not all the time, maybe, but – you know, like my siblings. Around a lot, to see what it's like, and with breaks back here. If that's okay?"

"I'd love to have you, Mew," Ash answered. "I guess you're just going to be along to see the sights?"

"I… think so," Mew told him. "I'm not… quite sure, but I'm almost sure. And what I mean is that… I could change my mind, but the way my mind is at the moment is a no."

"Seems reasonable to me," Pikachu said, yawning.

"Yeah, that makes sense, Mew," Ash confirmed. "And… do you want a Pokéball? It's up to you."

"I… think so, yes," Mew agreed, then nodded. "Yes, I like the sound of it."

They curled their tail up, and touched it. "I didn't think of it until just now, but… it would reassure me that I'm real."

Ash held out a hoof, and Mew touched it.

"You're real, Mew," Ash said. "Not because you're a Pokémon instead of a computer intelligence… because wanting to be real is more than enough to be real. Right?"

He frowned, then. "Or… do you mean something a bit different?"

"Maybe I do?" Mew wondered. "I think… it's something Mewtwo helped me with, but I kept having nightmares at first. About just… disappearing."

"Oh, Mew," Ash said, swallowing. "That sounds terrible."

He concentrated, using Confusion, and plucked a Pokéball from out of his bag. "This one's empty, if you want to sort that out now, or…?"

"That would be nice," Mew replied.

After registering themselves with the Pokéball, Mew came back out, and passed the night curled up on Ash's back.

It seemed to help them sleep, and Ash as well, and next morning they all got up bright and early – only for Delia to knock gently on the door to Ash's room before they'd even left.

"Ash?" she said, softly. "Professor Oak's here to see you."

"I wanted to tell you about an offer from a friend of mine," Oak said. "Ever since your transformation, but especially since you met Rayquaza, I've been asking some researchers and specialists to see if they've got access to any information about what you are – or about Arceus, or similar."

Ash nodded, slowly.

"I get it," he said. "Because… so far, I've only really talked to a few people, and none of them know how to get in touch with Dad. Or what to do once that happens, really."

"Exactly!" Oak agreed. "Now, around a week ago I got a letter from someone up in Sinnoh who thinks that her ancestor might have had something to do with Arceus. And they definitely lived in Sinnoh, which makes me think that some of the legends of the Sinnoh region about being where the world was created might just be accurate."

"There are legends about that?" Koraidon asked. "Is that the kind of thing that goes in legends?"

She looked at her siblings. "I know Miraidon and I were created in Hoenn, and you were created in Kanto. Is that the same thing?"

"How can the world be created in a place?" was Miraidon's question. "There would not have been a place before."

"I guess maybe… it's where Arceus was once the creating was finished?" Latias guessed. "Would that work?"

"Ahem," Professor Oak said, smiling. "I don't mind your contributing, but I would like to know what's being said so I know if I should be answering any questions."

"Koraidon was wondering about what goes in legends, and Miraidon and Latias were talking about how it was possible to have a place where the world was created," Ash explained.

"Yes, it's a little mysterious, isn't it?" Oak said. "There's some ideas, of course, but you might have a chance to ask."

Ash considered that.

"That's true, isn't it," he admitted. "So, uh, what was the idea? You said there was an offer?"

"Yes, indeed there is," Oak agreed, smiling a little. "How would you like to go travelling around Sinnoh with a researcher of Legendary Pokémon?"

"Sinnoh," Ash repeated, thinking about it. "I guess… what's Sinnoh like?"

"It is to the north," Lucario told him. "It has many mountain ranges, and there are few Fire-types and many Ice-types to be found there. The mighty Mount Coronet runs through the middle of the region. It used to be called Hisui. And, yes, there's a Pokémon League there."

Ash glanced over, curious, and Lucario smiled. "I have been reading books," he explained. "They are very interesting."

"Then… yeah, that sounds like it would be fun," Ash agreed. "Though I did know the bit about the Pokémon League. I wonder if we'll meet Cynthia?"

"I expect you will," Oak said. "Since she's the researcher."

Ash blinked.

"...what?"

AN:

Yep, more family stuff here too. Almost like it's a theme.