Author's Note: Hey Happy Mother's Day everyone, and as a special treat I decided to post this up and hope you all like it. I'm glad to see a few people have taken to read and leave some comments, not much but better than nothing. Also I hope you guys like this and please tell what your thought are. Lots of love from all those out there.
Disclaimer: Blue Kitsune Does not own Pokemon or Fairy Tail
A Mother's Nostalgia
Time can fly by so quickly, like a Pidgeot soaring through the air. A decade had passed in the blink of an eye for the Ketchum family. Still, they didn't mind as they cherished every moment with their beloved daughter, Asharia, or Ashi for short. Papa Ace regarded her as the apple of his eye, the reason for his existence beside his beautiful wife. Together, the couple adored the little baby, who smiled and giggled when looking into their happy faces. The young man spent every moment doting on his precious angel so that everyone could see that he loved his child and understand that the girl was absolutely precious, as any parent would feel the same way for their children. Even when they eventually moved into a new home, they created new memories and adjusted to their new surroundings.
The family was happy, but their contentment was short-lived. As with all good things, nothing lasts forever, and they had no idea that their lives were about to change drastically. However, at that moment, they were focused on their time together and didn't anticipate anything going wrong.
Delia was happily preparing dinner in her cozy kitchen without a worry on her mind. She hummed gently as she moved around the spacious room, working diligently between the counter and the island. All her critical ingredients were set out, and her instruments were ready and within reach. She was quick and nimble and thought that if she ever considered entering one of those fast-paced cooking shows, she might have been able to beat the others with how efficiently she handled all her preparations. Delia had already hand-washed and properly sliced and diced everything before adding it to the bubbling vat on her stove. The aromatic spices gave off a pleasant smell, indicating that the tomato sauce was coming along nicely, just as she had anticipated. Also gave it a few quick stirs to prevent it from burning on the bottom and then tasted it to check for clarity. She smacked her lips together, checked how it settled on her tongue, and thought she was getting there; she just had to let it stew a little longer. However, she noticed something was amiss in the mixture, so she made her way to the overhead cabinet to pick up one of the canisters. She took just a pinch into the batch before mixing it in and letting it settle before trying again. This time, it passed her inspection, as she realized some firestone particles were essential to its flavoring.
"Yes, that's better! I knew it would need that special kick to it!" Delia was pleased with her culinary creation and confident that it would be a hit with her family.
"Yes, this will do nicely!" Delia never would've imagined how she would come to enjoy such refined cooking with specific ingredients that no one in their right mind would consider using. Yet, given the circumstances with a Dragonslayer for a husband and their daughter inheriting his magic, she most likely would need to eat the same thing to keep up with her growing body. Delia assumed that after giving birth to Ashi, she would return to eating everyday food. Yet, after a while, she found that everything no longer had that same zest. Nothing satisfied her taste buds like they used to, even when eating particular favorites she knew she couldn't go without at one time. This had stumped the young mother until Acnologia suggested that perhaps because the magical energy was still in her system and, after nine months, had come to see them as pseudo-vitamins like in the foods yet of more vital components that added more benefits to her. Delia thought that it made sense since even with breastfeeding her daughter and sure she had absorbed the mana that was there until she was weaned. Still, Delia supposed that the possibility her body took to see them as necessary for her health and seeing the mana would want those to replenish what was being siphoned out.
They had no idea if this would fade with time or if it was a permanent side effect from being a Dragonslayer's mate and mother to one. Yet, somehow, Delia thought that if it meant she could partake in the same family meals with her husband and daughter with those elemental ingredients, then she would just have to rework her old recipes and refine them differently. Delia came to the conclusion that since eating the stone particles and finding that other than there was a better taste in flavor and quality, as well as adding more stamina when she finished eating, her body was now more energized and could go around doing things within the day that would've left an average person exhausted by the late afternoon but for her felt could still carry on with no problems at all.
She wonders if this is how her hubby feels whenever he needs to revitalize his mana, thinking she could understand why he enjoys them. She even finds she can't start her mornings without putting some ground-up sunstones into her coffee and feeling she has plenty of energy to burn throughout the day. Her colleagues even ask what her secret is since she can take on the more tedious tasks without crashing like some of them.
"Oh, it's because of my hubby who helped me develop a special method to give me the extra boost in stamina." Many of the female researchers blushed at Delia's innuendo, as they knew who her husband was and had seen him visit the lab from time to time. They were all secretly envious of her and wished to be in her position. Delia didn't mind letting her colleagues think whatever they wanted about her relationship with Acnologia. It was easy to tell what they must have been thinking when they all looked at him with those hungry stares and felt a little possessive of him.
Maybe she did enjoy showing off to her co-workers, but Acnologia made it clear that he was only interested in a monogamous relationship with her. She was all he needed in his life, and that was enough for her. He was happy to show how he only had eyes for her in every manner when they were home alone, and their daughter was asleep in the room farthest from theirs. It's a good thing the doors had locks, and seeing Acnologia soundproofed their little girl's room since she was sure his loud, amorous growling would've startled their poor baby and probably made her think a monster was in her parent's room eating her poor mummy. Just thinking that wasn't too far off mark since the overly eager dragon did seem very keen on eating the sweet, innocent maiden trapped in his den and that Delia liked playing that part since it set the mood perfectly and made it all the more fun being his imaginary captive prisoner with no chance of escaping his clutches.
Not that she had any qualms to consider doing such, nope no siree! Although there were some close calls in the past, Ace's enhanced hearing always allowed him to detect if their daughter was approaching. Therefore, they could quickly dress up and avoid revealing what they had been doing moments earlier.
She checked again to ensure the sauce was simmering on low heat and left it to cook for a while. The delightful aroma of the bubbling sauce mixed with the scent of the herbs she had chopped earlier but didn't use, which she planned to save for another meal.
"Mmm, I knew the oregano and basil were just ripe for the picking today, as was the rosemary." Additionally, it fills the whole area with a pleasant aroma. Ace will surely concur upon his timely arrival.
Delia hadn't seen her husband for almost a week now. He had traveled to Johto to assist at the Safari Reserve, where poachers had attempted to capture endangered Pokemon living in the wildlife refuge. Unfortunately, during the police and gamekeepers' attempts to apprehend the poachers, many Pokemon were severely injured. Since Ace was one of the top-notch medics in his profession, so he was called out to lend his medical expertise along with the others to assist them. Delia understood the gravity of the situation. This wasn't the first time these sorts had attacked and stolen Pokemon from these locations, and Ace being summoned from outside his jurisdiction indicated how critical the situation was.
Delia shuddered at the thought of the worst-case scenario if the doctors or assistants had not arrived in time. Still, she felt fortunate that Ace had agreed to help without hesitation. She was grateful for his magical abilities, which gave him an advantage in saving more lives. Ace had been highly recommended by Delia's boss since he saw Delia's husband as a reliable and trustworthy individual who could be counted upon in difficult situations since he did help around their lab and see how resourceful he was treating the Pokemon with them. He used his medical skills and healing magic to discreetly stabilize the physical and mental well-being of the Pokemon without any complications. Delia knew that one thing you could count on her husband for was that he would do whatever was possible and didn't find it troublesome to be outsourced to others who needed someone of a higher caliber.
Although he wasn't always needed, he spent most of his days at home serving as a call-in Pokemon doctor recommended by the Center. His clients were always impressed by his skills, even though he would tell them it was nothing. He could see the gratitude in his patients' eyes and knew that he was doing them a great service. Some of his regular customers would even bring their Pokemon to greet him when he was out with his family. Delia had received many compliments from their neighbors about how lucky she was to have a handsome Pokemon doctor and a doting father who loved his child to bits.
Delia was happy to witness Acnologia's remarkable healing skills being used to save lives once more. However, she was surprised to discover that he had opted to work with Pokemon instead of treating human patients. Despite her initial shock, she couldn't help but feel pleased at the prospect of his abilities being utilized for a good cause.
She had asked him once before about why he had chosen this path. She was aware that he still retained those old skills, but she thought they could've been put to great use at any hospital with his abilities. But then, when he explained his reasoning to her, she could see why he had a change of heart.
"I have been contemplating it for quite some time now, and I have come to the decision that I want to try something different. I believe that I can be of great service to Pokemon, as who else but another sentient being can understand what is troubling them and help them get better?"
Hearing his sincere words, Delia found his reasoning compelling. She believed that Acnologia possessed a unique ability to establish a connection with Pokemon in need of someone with such a magical capability. Furthermore, he considered the possibility of working from home, which would allow him to spend more quality time with their daughter and keep her occupied while Delia was at work. This was a positive aspect for them as Acnologia was eager to share every moment with their newborn child, and Delia thought that him being a stay-at-home dad was a good idea.
Not to mention Ace was good at keeping the house well intact when I'm not around. He didn't mind taking on household chores, knowing that an unclean environment could make a child sick and pose a danger to them. He made sure that there wasn't a speck of dirt or dust in the entire house while Ashi took her afternoon naps, and when Delia returned, she found everything sparkling clean. Although he may have gone overboard at times, Delia appreciated that he allowed their little girl to explore the yard on a clean blanket, take in some fresh air, and observe her surroundings while he and his partner watched over her.
The couple, who work as a call-in poke doctor and a research assistant, are managing to find time for each other and their baby girl despite their busy schedules. They have a good balance between their workload and family time. Even though Acnologia is far away, he still makes time to call his wife and keep up with the progress on his end while listening to what's happening back home with Ashi. Their little girl also gets a few minutes to talk to him and sees the smiles afterward, knowing they had a good chat but can't wait for him to return home once more.
Thankfully, after their conversation yesterday, he told her that he had finished up over there, and Acnologia had booked a one-way ticket that would depart first thing in the morning. He should be home no later this evening. Upon hearing this, Delia decided to make her husband his favorite dish as she was sure he would be hungry after his journey.
However, this gave Delia a moment to pause as a thought hit her. He booked a one-way from Johto to Kanto, and seeing the distance between them would be but a few hours. Still, the one thing that had her concerned was how her husband might be afterward, given his stomach might be incapable of keeping that nausea he was bound to have when they were in the air.
"Oh dear, maybe I should have thought this through." But in all her excitement, she had let it slip her mind and was unsure if he would be feeling up to eating the grand feast she had prepared for his welcome home.
Some might find it ironic that a dragon who can easily fly through the air would feel uncomfortable inside an airplane at the same altitude. However, it's not just planes that make him feel this way. Any mode of transportation that moves causes him to feel nauseous and unable to move. When they go out for errands and take a brisk drive, Delia has to pull over every few minutes as her husband looks unwell and needs to get out to calm his unsettled nerves. Then, as if that wasn't bad enough, the couple found it was hereditary, and their poor Ashi having to endure this even when taking what should be a pleasant stroll around the street made the baby inside fussy and seeing to spew her milk if she couldn't contain it long enough before they got back home.
It was a challenging situation for the worrisome parents as they tried their best to find child-friendly medicine to alleviate their baby's severe motion sickness. They consulted with their pediatrician, who evaluated Ashi's health and suggested they visit a gastrologist who specializes in treating children and can conduct further tests to determine the cause of the issue. However, Ace and Delia were concerned about the tests potentially involving examining Ashi's blood, which may reveal her draconian genes or anything else that might be out of the ordinary. They decided against this option for her safety and looked for alternative methods to treat Ashi's ailment.
Acnologia had previously investigated the cause and discovered that even during his own dragonification metamorphosis, the alignment between a human's semicircular canal and a dragon's enhanced visual acuity were not in harmony and were constantly in conflict. This was one of the major issues that caused him significant discomfort and now that he sees it affecting his child, he is already thinking of ways he can fix it for their sake. He experimented with various plants that had medical effects, especially for Pokemon, and thought that anything was possible to try and blend a unique concoction that should help both Dragonslayers in the long run.
Acnologia spent several weeks constantly trying and testing until they finally created a suitable medicine that worked for their needs. The instructions were simple: take the specific dose an hour before the onset of the illness and again from four to six hours if it recurs. Delia was pleased that the medicine proved to be effective for her family. She thought that her daughter wouldn't have to miss out on certain things anymore, thanks to the ingenuity of her brilliant husband.
Delia was concerned about Ace's flight from Johto, which would take around ten hours to arrive in Kanto and a half-hour drive from the airport straight back here. She remembered him mentioning earlier that he had been running low on supplies, as he had given some to Ashi for her class field trip to Pewter City. Delia mentally calculated the dosage he must have consumed on the journey to the region and realized he might not have had enough for the return home.
She couldn't help but worry about him and considered breaking out some ginger ale and Pepto in case he needed them once he walked in.
But Delia was sure it would be alright, and if anything, she could just nurse him back to health and save the food for another night. She thought she'd wait and see how it went, but her main focus was now making sure the sauce didn't overcook itself.
Delia moved the sauce off the heat and let it cool for a bit before boiling some water in another pot. As she waited, she reflected on her life. She was a loving wife and mother to a sweet and active child who kept everyone on their toes, but Delia wouldn't trade it for the world. She felt blessed to have them in her life. Their daughter, Ashi, was vibrant and jubilant. Delia couldn't believe how fast she was growing. She was about to turn eight this month, but Delia still saw her as her precious little baby that she once lovingly cradled in her arms. That tiny waif of a girl who found herself running barefoot in the backyard chasing fireflies or staring up at the night sky while in between her parents who took turns telling her about each constellation or making out shapes they saw within the stars themselves. Thinking of how a precocious toddler sitting in Acnologia's lap was wide-eyed and listening to her Papa spin a tale of a fairy princess raised by an almighty dragon and soon became its guardian of the forest and its majestic creatures that reside within those woods. Ashi was a daddy's girl through and through, and Delia knew he very much loved their daughter with all his heart.
Ashi, now in second grade, displayed exceptional intelligence for her age group. This week's spelling test paper, along with a few magazine clippings and some of Ashi's doodles, was on the fridge, placed right in the center for everyone to see. The paper had a Pikachu sticker with two thumbs up and a large number, "100," indicating that she got everything correct, including the most complex word to spell, "Alakazam." Ashi showed it to her mother with a broad, toothy grin and couldn't wait to share her achievement with her Papa when he got back since he had helped her practice leading up to the Big test. She was sure he would be ever so proud when he saw how well she did, though everything Ashi did always pleased her parents to see how she had come so far.
Delia knew that the teachers frequently informed her about Ashi's progress in class. They noticed that Ashi could get along with other kids and was brilliant among her peers, but she never let this get to her head. She was always helpful and considerate and didn't cause too much trouble during the planned lesson. One of the main concerns of Ashi's teachers was her tendency to engage in risky behavior during recess. Ashi would often rush out the door and climb to the top of the dome climber or ride the swings higher and further than anyone else. Her free-spirited nature and dragon-like instinct made her want to roam without any boundaries and climb higher toward the sky without any restrictions confiding her. Despite the teachers' efforts to stop her, and even when they spoke to her parents, Ashi continued to engage in these dangerous stunts. The teachers were worried that Ashi might hurt herself.
Delia couldn't help as a mother worried about her daughter's safety despite Acnologia's reassurances that her body was much stronger than an average human's. They both knew that Ash's mischievous behavior could lead to danger, and they wanted to find a way to convince her to be more careful. After some discussion, they decided to talk to her personally. As Ashi loved climbing high places, her Papa had built her a conservative treehouse with a rope ladder and a large opening to see the beachside just a few miles away from their neighborhood and watch the sun going up and down in that direction. They hoped that showing her the beautiful view from the treehouse would make her less likely to engage in risky behavior.
They were happy to see it worked out for everybody involved and that Ashi spent most of her time hanging about up there whenever possible. They were glad to find they had resolved everything and see Delia could relax now that was taken care of.
Delia glanced outside the kitchen window and stared at the treehouse momentarily. Then, she looked over the rest of her backyard and admired how it had transformed from an empty lot to a thriving landscape in the past few years. Delia was pleased to see the abundance of delicious-looking vegetables and lush green herbs flourishing beautifully in her garden patch. This was all possible due to her tireless efforts and Acnologia's help. The Dragonslayer had created a unique tonic that kept pests away and added nutrients to help the plants thrive much more efficiently. Plus, growing all these myself saves us a great deal on the grocery budget.
Yes, choosing this one out of the others had been a sage move on their part. Delia thought back to how they lived in the apartment until Ashi was two, and she and Acnologia had decided it was time to find someplace more accommodating for them. They spent countless hours scooping out any residency that would be habitable with the most optimistic settings to raise their family. They wanted something with good structure, a thoughtful interior to let them do however they pleased, and a spacious yard to walk freely about that could fill up, say, well, a thoroughly transformed Dragonslayer. Or something close to those lines since she doubted it would be within the budget to go for something of that massive proportions, yet still, anything was doable as long as it fits into their priorities.
Of course, a few seemed promising, yet the couple did not feel like they were the right ones until they came across this particular darling and found it suited them to a tee. The backyard was big enough for her Pokemon to run about, and seeing that as soon as Ashi started to walk, she would often be out moving from the fenced end to the next and then, of course, finding to put some plants for both decorative and specific purposes that made it all the more vibrant and colorful to make it truly feel homely.
She looks towards the right side of the yard and notices that the tree saplings are about to bloom this year. It's a good thing because she wants to try out a recipe she saw before. Whenever her husband travels, he brings back goodies for them. On his recent trip, he found certain seedlings that he believed she would love to plant. These seedlings are expected to produce ripe berries that she can use in her recipe. Store-bought berries can only do so much, but absolutely fresh ones are considered the best. At least, that's what she thinks from her own experience in personally harvesting them.
She looks towards the right side of the yard and notices that the tree saplings are about to bloom this year. It's a good thing because she wants to try out a recipe she saw before that requires that sort, yet she had to make due from the grocers then. Whenever her husband travels out, he brings back goodies for them. On his recent trip to the Sinnoh, he found certain seedlings that he believed she would love to plant. These were expected to produce ripe berries that she could use in her recipe. Store-bought berries can only do so much, but absolutely fresh ones are considered the best. At least, that's what she thinks from her own experience in personally harvesting them.
Just thinking about when they would bear the plentiful fruits and what delectable treats to put them in, there are so many different recipes to go with. Delia had filled out one particular bookshelf with cookbooks from various regions, some based on the most renowned restaurants and their best culinary dishes, and thought about what to go with. She read them from cover to cover and labeled the ones she favored and the ones she thought could be slightly tweaked with her own special touch.
Delia loved experimenting with new dishes, especially after a co-worker told her about a popular new trend from Sinnoh that promised to boost a Pokemon's attributes during contests. Although she had heard about Poffins in passing, she decided to try making them herself to see how they turned out, and she felt that her Pokemon, Arche, would be happy to try something new. When Acnologia and Ashi discovered her interest in Poffins and with Mother's Day coming up, they teamed up to get her a special gift and had it promptly delivered by Pelipper Express on the big day. Delia was thrilled to receive the exclusive Hearthome Poffin case with the whole kit and caboodle, along with a three-month supply of berries that were well-preserved and ready to use. Delia and her daughter Ashi were bonding over making their first batch of Poffins using the berries that came with the set. The recipe pamphlet was very helpful as it provided tips for beginners and explained how each berry has its unique flavor and the best blending methods for them. The colorful brochure sparked Ashi's interest, and she was equally excited to try making Poffins alongside her mother. They both thought it would be a fun activity to do together on this special occasion.
They had made quite a mess in the kitchen, and although some of the treats were a bit burnt, Delia and Ashi had a good time baking. Even though the poffins were supposed to be for Delia's Arcanine, she noticed the plate was half empty when she went to give the Pokemon another one. She looked over to the most likely culprits and saw Acnologia and Ashi with disproportion puffed-out cheeks, indulging in the treats they were now gobbling down in handfuls.
They look like a pair of Skowvets with their greedy paws caught in the cookie jar. Or Poffin plate was more like it. Delia had been unable to hold back the laughter that burst outta her upon seeing this hilarious sight. It was hard to believe, yet they thought it was probably because their Dragonslayer instinct had smelled the tantalizing sweetness and thought it looked good for snacking on. Delia would say it had been the most memorable Mother's Day ever. She had mentally jotted this in her head, seeing it was another treat to be noted down for them to have, but still thinking how her hubby had been thoroughly embarrassed after realizing he scarfed down what was something for Pokemon but couldn't resist the call of that tasty edible lying out like that saying 'come on, eat me, you know you wanna.'
Delia could tell that this had certainly not been part of their planned agenda, especially for her Pokemon to see his Master's mate gobble all of his treats like so. Thankfully, another batch had been underway, and this time, the two saw to curb their instinct since that was for Arche and not for them. Yet the young mother had felt the laughs were well worth it in the end and knew she was happy with the family by her side.
Delia looked over to the other side and saw the personal-sized doghouse where her large Arcanine was fast asleep with his head resting on his massive paws. Although it seemed too early for him to be turning in at this hour, Delia set out some fresh water and his Pokechow kibble for his meal. She was relieved to later come out and find that the bowl was licked clean because she worried he wasn't eating enough. However, it was clear that he just wanted to nap after having a full stomach. Delia noticed that her once fiery-furred friend showed signs of his immediate age, with shades of gray around his muzzle and mane. During his last preliminary checkup, the nurses found that he had an early onset of arthritis in his hind legs. The young woman couldn't help thinking how her Pokemon would turn twelve that fall, making him almost a senior citizen. She knew that canine Pokemon have a certain life expectancy, especially the larger breeds, living between eight to thirteen years, depending on how well the trainer cares for them. Delia could see that it was finally catching up to her longtime friend and that there would come a time when she would have to say goodbye to her oldest comrades. It would not be easy because they had been together since he was a pup and had trekked around the globe side by side until they eventually settled down and started their family. His spry joints couldn't go running like they could before, and he spent most of his time just moving around the backyard or lying underneath Ashi's treehouse. But Delia still took him on brisk walks to keep his spirits up, knowing it helped to be at his side and let him know she was there for him just as the Pokemon had for her at one time. Now, he just hung around, loitering the entire house and trying to make use of what little time he had left on this earth.
As Delia contemplated the inevitable goodbye, she felt her heart grow heavy. She knew it would be especially difficult for her daughter when the day finally arrived, as they shared a deep connection that had formed since Ashi's birth. Delia recalled their first day together when they returned home from the hospital to find their place in disarray and a frightened Pokemon rushing towards the door to greet them. Delia couldn't blame Arche for its reaction since they had left it alone and returned hours later. The poor creature was probably in a panic, uncertain about what was happening.
The Pokemon was relieved when he saw them enter the apartment and immediately rushed over to greet the couple. However, it stopped halfway when it noticed that Master's belly wasn't big anymore and that the Dragonslayer was carrying a tiny baby, cradling it protectively in their arms. The Arcanine approached the couple slowly and inching forward to sniff the newborn, recognizing the scent of his Master's and her mate's lingering on their person. Upon waking up, Ashi found herself face to face with a furry Pokemon. At first, her parents were worried about how she would react, yet Ashi responded by cooing at the Arcanine and reaching out to touch its wet nose, just as she had done with her father. The Pokemon return the gesture with an open nuzzle and a sloppy kiss, causing the baby to giggle uncontrollably. Ace was not thrilled to see his barely day-old daughter covered in Pokemon drool and went to get a towel to clean her up. However, Delia, knew that this was Arche's way of showing affection to the newest member of their family.
The young mother was delighted to see how well her Pokemon and baby got along. Arche was always present to play with Ashi and keep her company if her parents were busy. When they moved to their new home, Ashi started walking with quick, clumsy movements, and Arche ensured she didn't trip over her feet. Whenever it seemed Ashi was about to climb onto something she shouldn't, Arche would grab her by the back of her little jumper and carry her back to her parents, just like any Arcanine would with their pups.
Arche played the dutiful role of a furry nanny who stayed in the nursery and kept a watchful eye on Ashi. He acted as a baby monitor and alerted the parents whenever he sensed that Ashi needed a fresh diaper or was hungry. As Ashi grew older and could sleep in a standard child-size bed, her parents would check on her to see how she was doing. Sometimes, her room would be empty, but they later discovered her sleeping in various places around the house and made it easy for them to double-check those first whenever this happened. Ashi would be curled up next to the sleeping Pokemon, with her little thumb in her mouth, dozing off while the furry comforter snored loudly in her ear with its warm body keeping her nice and snug. Seeing her peaceful expression, they couldn't bear to wake her up. Instead, they decided to tuck a warm blanket over her to keep her cozy. Ashi never grew out of taking naps with the Arcanine and still found ways to burrow herself into his heated pelt.
They had taken a photo of a six-month-old baby Ashi being buried neck deep in the Arcanine's body, only her head showing in that soft mound of fuzziness. Delia thought it was her favorite amongst them, and seeing that Acnologia had taken the liberty to see it framed and hung inside their daughter's room, right next to the family shot of them all together in the living room with Ashi sitting in Delia's lap and being embraced with his arm around his wife's shoulder, bringing them all closer in the picture. Whenever she saw that smile on his handsome visage, she could instantly tell what Ace thought when the camera went off. Delia knew he wanted to preserve every precious moment with them and see they had taken so many pictures of them doing all kinds of family activities, and sometimes, when she felt like taking a trip down memory lane, she would go pick out that photo album to find what she was looking for and—
She heard the clock down the hallway chime loudly, catching her off guard. Then she realized it was quarter to seven.
Oh my, it looked like all that reminiscing had made her lose track of the time, and she hadn't even gotten the fettuccine ready yet!
"I should probably hurry up then," Delia thought to herself, anticipating her husband's imminent arrival and wanting to greet him properly once he came through that door.
As she began cooking the pasta, she realized it needed ten minutes to soften just right. This gave her plenty of time to prepare the salad, sprinkle garlic and parmesan on the bread, and set the table before the rest of the meal was ready to be served.
Delia noticed that the table was arranged to accommodate all the servings of different courses, and she was confident that she had cooked enough food to feed a large number of people. However, her husband and daughter had insatiable appetites, and as a responsible mother, she made sure that everyone ate the right amount of food, especially her daughter, who needed a healthy and balanced diet to support her growing metabolism. It was imperative to her that Ashi consumed only healthy food and not indulge in sweets constantly.
"After all, we don't want another incident like with what happened that one time..." Thinking back on that particular fiasco when Ashi was four and seeing the one time Ace had left a couple thunder stones out in the open. Their daughter notices the shiny rocks and sees herself fascinated by them. Delia loves to encourage a child's curiosity, but the situation is different when the child is born with magical abilities. Like her father, Ashi sees them as irresistible and can't stop at just one when they are just so good. At the time, Delia noticed that the electricity in the house was acting up, but she couldn't find any issues with the circuit breaker. Thinking it might be time to call the power company and check the situation, Delia headed for the living room where the video phone was. She came across Ashi sitting on the couch, utterly oblivious to what was happening because she was still sucking on that evolution stone like a lollipop. Suddenly, everything became clear as Delia put two and two together and knew what was her daughter's doing, though unintentionally, yet still was making such a situation problematic.
Finding that Ashi had already consumed two stones and was now on her third one, Delia saw the streetlights outside were flickering uncontrollably, and seeing her daughter's magic was affecting the rest of the neighborhood while indulging in her sweets. She knew she had to do something before more irreversible damage could be done and try to get the stone away from Ashi. Like all dragons, Ashi does not appreciate having her precious possessions taken away. In particular, she is struggling to prevent her mother from stealing her special candy. Meanwhile, the Dragonslayer has been busy tending to a patient several miles away. Upon his return, he notices a sudden flood of lights emanating from the homes around him. Startled neighbors are pouring out onto the streets, some still in their nightwear and trying to determine what is happening. However, the Dragonslayer's attention is drawn to his home and the powerful wave of magic energy he senses.
Fearful that they might be under attack, he rushes inside with his transformed claws ready to strike, only to find his wife attempting to retrieve a stone from a stubborn Ashi who refuses to give up her 'shiny' treat.
Delia noticed him and gave him a stern look, silently urging him to help her. With the assistance of her husband, they managed to remove the stone from Ashi's iron grasp. Delia wasted no time in taking all the items out of the room and quickly hiding them somewhere safe until things calmed down.
Meanwhile, the Dragonslayer was left to handle their fussy daughter, who was struggling in her father's hold and wanting to chase after her mother with her stolen goodies. "NO, MY SHINY! GIVE ME BACK MY SHINY CANDY!" She cries out.
Ace was attempting to restrain Ashi, but she was fiercely resisting and putting up a fight in the process. She scratched and bit his arm in an attempt to break free, but her father refused to release her. He could sense that her tiny body was being overwhelmed by the immense elemental power she had consumed. The excessive mana flowing through her system at an accelerated rate and pushing her beyond her limits. He had encountered similar situations with his patients in his former life and knew that if left unchecked, it could lead to internal problems that may affect her physical health and the stability of her magical core in the future. He knew of one surefire method to help put an end to this. The Dragonslayer placed his hand over Ashi's face and cast a mild sedative spell, which he sometimes used on Pokemon to calm down more efficiently than the medicine used at the Center. At the same time, he siphoned the magic from Ashi's overheated core until it returned to normal levels. His daughter's frantic movements stopped altogether, and she became less agitated as her father calmly reassured her, "It's okay, Ashi. Daddy's got you. Everything's all right now."
Delia was relieved to later find her husband gently cradling their sleeping daughter, with a look on his face that told her everything was under control. He had stabilized Ashi's core, which was fortunate as Delia couldn't have done it herself. As a mother, she always knew that Ashi would inherit her father's incredible strength. However, watching her daughter unleash her raw and untapped power for the first time was a breathtaking and scary experience. The sheer intensity of Ashi's magic was so strong that it left electrical burns on her hands after she managed to wrangle the stone from her stubborn daughter's hold. Delia was unaware of her injuries until she started feeling a strange tingling sensation in her hands. When she looked down, she noticed that both of her palms were bright red, with raised blisters that stood out against her skin. The young woman was taken aback by this discovery. Although the injuries were not so severe, they still needed to be treated immediately. Delia rushed to the master bedroom and headed straight for the medicine cabinet, where she kept the first aid kit. She placed her hands under cold water for a few minutes to soothe her burns before applying ointment to the tender flesh. Delia assumed that her daughter had unintentionally caused the burns while lashing out, as she knew Ashi would never hurt anyone on purpose. They knew the elemental stones contained pure and unsaturated energy when left intact. However, her daughter had only ever used one-fourth of it due to her size and inability to handle its complete power. Recently, she had taken three whole stones, which had resulted in an excessive surge of energy in her body. This had caused her to lose control over her mana, and it was now seeping out into the immediate surroundings, making her go on a 'high bender.'
Delia noticed that the house had become utterly silent after treating her hands. She assumed that Acnologia had already resolved the issue. Since the lights were still out, she had to move slowly with the help of a flashlight to avoid bumping into anything while making her way back to the living room. She was relieved that Ashi was unharmed, and they both went back upstairs to put their little girl to bed.
The situation was now under control, but the couple realized that they should take measures to prevent it from happening again. Although it was partly the husband's fault for leaving the stones out for their little girl to find and not putting them away, Delia felt that she, too, was responsible for not being more vigilant and keeping an eye on their daughter. Leaving children to their own devices can lead to trouble, and they both agreed that they should have been more aware of the issue. Taking care of it now was better than leaving it for later. After a couple of hours of struggling in the darkness with only candles to light their way, they managed to accomplish their task. With the help of Acnologia, they found a secure spot to hide all the stones. In order to alleviate his wife's concerns, the Dragonslayer devised a barrier seal to secure the stones in a storage compartment. The seal could only be unlocked by using the master key, which was actually their own blood.
Their daughter eventually regained consciousness, but she had no memory of what had happened in the last few hours. This was a small blessing for her parents because they couldn't even imagine how to explain it to her. After all, it would be difficult for anyone to believe that a four-year-old had knocked out the whole power grid in their neighborhood. So, the couple kept quiet about the incident and waited patiently for the power to be fully restored in their block.
Later that same evening, the electrical company arrived after the workers at the Power Plant were surprised by the sudden blackout on their grid and sent some people to investigate the problem. They found that the mainline was still in good condition, and there was no faulty wire as far as they could tell. Everything seemed to be in working order, but then it left them one other possibility to believe could have been the work of a Pokemon or more. They had had this happen before, and yet, checking around for any of the more likely types that could've been, they saw nothing pointing out to those particular creatures in the area. Then, somehow, rumors got out, and people started saying it was the Zapdos or another legendary electric type, as they believed only a Pokemon of its caliber could have done this. A few days after the incident, the neighborhood was flooded with trainers who came to search for any clues about the whereabouts of this elusive Pokemon. The community was unhappy with the influx of strangers, and even the Home Owners Associate had to tell them to leave their properties after telling the millionth trainer that no one had seen the Pokemon flying around the area.
Acnologia was relieved that nobody had suspected their involvement in the whole situation. However, the thought of how close their family had come to danger was unsettling. They couldn't help but think about what could have happened if Ashi had accidentally eaten a different set of evolution stones. They couldn't dwell on those thoughts for too long, though. They realized it was time to start Ashi's magical training earlier than planned to prevent future mishaps.
Delia had conflicting thoughts when he suggested their daughter get a head start on learning the ground basics. On the one hand, she believed it would help give Ashi an outlet and make it easier for her to get it under control. However, on the other hand, she was worried about putting too much pressure on her since she was still very young and might find it overwhelming to contemplate everything. Delia had certain reservations about letting her husband go ahead with this plan. Ace understood her worries, as he would feel the same way if he wasn't entirely confident of their child's capability. However, the Dragonslayer was sure of Ashi's potential to master the Draconian arts and reassured his mate that she would do well under his watchful guidance. He pointed out that other dragons from his world had successfully trained their children at the same age.
Although reluctant, Delia agreed to let her husband tutor Ashi on the condition that she participate in these lessons. The Dragonslayer had no problem with this arrangement as he had already shared some of his knowledge with Delia. He believed she could offer valuable input if Ashi needed help understanding anything.
It has been nearly four years since they began teaching their daughter how to develop and nurture her magical abilities. Despite her young age, Ashi proved remarkably competent in understanding her father's teachings. They had six months to prepare her before she enrolled in the kindergarten program, which gave them ample time to lay the groundwork and ensure that she understood the concepts. Delia could see that Ashi's mind was like untouched clay, slowly molding itself as she learned new things and practiced magic under their supervision. With the right encouragement and guidance, Ashi could tap into the mana flow and perform a few spells, which was good progress in their book. When it was time for Ashi to start school, she was eager to learn more after mastering the basics.
Acnologia took every possible measure to ensure that Ashi could control her Etherano. After much practice, she could suppress it if she ever got emotional, which is common among kids. This was their biggest concern, as they would have considered removing her from the program and waiting until the following year if Ashi could not keep a firm lid on it. Fortunately, everything went well, and they both breathed a sigh of relief when they watched her walk through the main gate with the other kids, thinking that everything would be fine.
However, waiting had them both on edge. While trying to go about their normal activities, they were totally distracted by the thought of Ashi's first day and hoped it was going well for their little girl. Delia was anxious about how her daughter was doing alone while they were not there by her side. How was Ashi holding up? Was she doing okay? Oh, please let her not get worked up and let her magic get overstimulated…
Her colleagues could tell she was missing her child from her agitated state of mind. Many of the older researchers could relate to her plight, having gone through the same experience when their own kids were younger. However, her reasons for feeling this way went beyond just that. She had so many thoughts running through her head that she couldn't focus on her work. When the clock struck three, the leading professor, who had noticed her condition, decided to let her go early. Delia didn't pass up the chance and took off like a Pokemon using Agility right out the door.
She hurriedly left the laboratory and found Ace waiting for her in the parking lot beside the family car. The journey to the pick-up spot should have lasted only ten minutes, but they had to stop once because Ace felt carsick. Perhaps it was due to forgetting to take his medication earlier or the stress of their current situation, but the Dragonslayer's stomach was in knots. Delia's was also in turmoil by the time they reached the pick-up zone and joined the line of other cars. They were both anxious and restless, hoping and praying that everything was alright. Finally, they reached the front entrance and saw their daughter standing with her teachers, her face beaming with a big smile, and all their immediate worries vanished. They realized there was nothing too concerning as they listened to Ashi recount her day with great enthusiasm on the drive back.
"...Also, I made sure I said nothing about what you told me before." Ashi clearly remembered that they had repeatedly told her the same thing over and over again. The message had been drilled into her head in the days leading up to now. The promise that Ashi made to them was that she would under no circumstances speak about her or Papa's magical abilities. They had made it of the utmost importance to convey that she couldn't go blabbing to any of the other kids, even if they assumed she was making things up. But if by any chance, Ashi accidentally reveals her magical powers to someone, especially to those who have malicious intentions and are interested in acquiring any source of immense power that can enable them to dominate the world. In that case, they will stop at nothing to get their hands on Ashi's family.
They will try to unravel the secrets behind the dragon-slaying magic to replicate it for themselves and use that knowledge to create an unstoppable army, which could potentially lead to the end of everything.
He shuddered at the thought of the monstrous nightmare becoming a reality in this realm. The very thought of Delia and Ashi getting caught and subjected to inhumane experiments, particularly his young daughter, fills him with rage. The possibility of their child being turned into a weapon of destruction or even used for breeding is unbearable to the Dragonslayer. He quickly glanced at the backseat to see his daughter doodling, unaware of the dark thoughts lurking in his mind. He vowed to do everything possible to ensure that Ashi never faced such a terrible fate.
Even though she might question their reasons later on, Ashi's parents didn't provide specific details as they were concerned about traumatizing her. Still, they emphasized that it was essential to keep it between them and that no one should ever find out. Eventually, Ashi would realize the gravity of the Draconian promise they had made. But at that moment in time, it was etched in her mind as something her Papa had expected her to uphold, and she was determined not to break it.
Ashi didn't let this keep her from making friends amongst her age group. The parents noticed that their daughter was enthusiastic about her studies and often shared her excitement at the dinner table. While she enjoyed all her classes, her favorite subject was learning about Pokemon. As both of Ashi's parents were professionals in their respective fields, they knew that their daughter would have already been familiar with the Kanto varieties. However, they were happy to see that she paid attention to her teachers during lectures. They were proud of her for doing well in her studies and frequently found her completed assignments displayed in either Acnologia's study/exam room or on Delia's desk at the lab for their personal satisfaction.
Later, within the following weeks, Delia was at the local market buying groceries when she noticed someone distributing colorful pamphlets. Curious, she approached to see what it was about. The brochure announced that the recently constructed Dojo was now offering free classes for youngsters interested in learning the fundamental basics of martial arts. The first two classes had free admission, and Delia was impressed by the reasonable prices offered for the following courses, which were suitable for young teens and even adults. However, what caught her attention was that children as young as three could sign up. While some might think pushing toddlers into a class might not be worth it, the young mother felt otherwise.
Delia remembered that Acnologia's Dragonslayer skills were all related to combat techniques. Considering Ashi's current level, she knew that their daughter was not yet ready to start with the physical aspect of it. However, it might be possible for Ashi to begin learning under the guidance of a suitable martial arts expert. Gradually, she could acquire enough stability from these training activities to better ensure their daughter would become strong enough to use her abilities to their full potential. She decided to discuss this with her husband, who came to the same conclusion she had made and also thought it was worth trying out for their Ashi. Fortunately, their first class was held on the weekend, which allowed all three of them to personally meet the instructors. At the introductory meeting, the instructors gave the parents an overview of what to expect from the courses and explained the steps for each age group. Although their daughter was one of the youngest participants, she was interested in the open demonstration of what they would practice during the course. Acnologia and Delia watched their daughter's face come alive, and seeing her interest written as clear as day, they decided to sign her up for the beginner classes.
Ever since Ashi started taking martial arts lessons, Delia has been amazed by her daughter's progress and sheer dedication. She is currently a green belt and is not planning to stop there just yet. The teacher spoke nothing less of how assertive she was in putting all her focus into their practice and finding ways to take on directions without hesitation. Delia couldn't help but feel proud of her daughter's ongoing accomplishments. Even Acnologia was impressed by Ashi's remarkable improvement in her strength and endurance, noticing that her magical core had significantly increased with all her endless training. Delia couldn't help but imagine the potential power Ashi could unleash with her attacks combined with the magic alone. Any Pokemon might have trouble tangling with the likes of her.
"Ashi has the highest potential to become even stronger than her father. Considering her remarkable growth rate, it is highly likely that she will perhaps be on par with a Legendary if she continues like this." She avoided pondering the possibility, as imagining her child reaching god-like status without fear of dire consequences was overwhelming.
I must admit, my life isn't what one would call 'normal' since I married a man from another dimension who could transform into a ferocious dragon at will, and we had a child together. However, I have never once regretted my decision, and I would do it all over again in a heartbeat.
Delia went to check on the pasta and realized it was cooked perfectly. She quickly drained it in the colander and transferred the fettuccine to a large serving bowl. She covered it to keep it warm and proceeded to set the table. As she walked into the living/dining room, she saw her daughter absorbed in watching Meowth chasing Rattata towards a poorly constructed mousetrap. However, the feline Pokemon got bonked instead and had little Pidgeys circling its head, followed by the onset of laughter.
Delia noticed her daughter lying on her stomach, kicking her legs back and forth, and holding her head up with her hands. However, she observed that her head was tilted too high from the screen. Ashi was fixated on a small clock on the mantel, tracking its ticking hand as it slowly moved across its face. Delia realized her daughter was paying more attention to the clock than her show. She knew that even though she was fully aware that time wouldn't go any faster just because she wanted it to.
"Ashi, I know that you are eager to see Daddy, but you know it's not like he's going to show if you keep watching tha—"
The little girl suddenly turned her head, drawn by a sound coming from the front of the house. She quickly got up and ran down the corridor, right past her mother. She had heard the unmistakable sound of the key turning in the lock, followed by the slow creaking of the front door as it opened. That could only mean one thing to her!