AN: I AM SO SORRY!! I accidentally picked the wrong document! Fixed!

Disclaimer: I do not own Pokemon

Dialogue Guide:

"This is normal speech"

This is a person thinking in their head

This is someone speaking telepathically or with Aura

("Pokemon Speak")

("Legendary Pokemon Speak")

Gary must have looked pretty strange to everyone as he ran down the dirt-laid roads of Pallet Town. Not just because they assumed he would be out in Viridian by now but also because of how he looked. Mud and dirt were all over his clothing, and his hair flared as if it hadn't been washed for a full day. Sweat was dripping down his body and soaking his clothes as his bloodshot eyes focused only on the hospital in view without once gazing elsewhere. He was tired and hungry, and his muscles were in such pain that he honestly thought they were going to burst. Gary would have driven into Pallet Town if it hadn't been for his car to run out of gas a few miles from the town, so he had to run it the rest of the way.

He ensured his team took down any wild Pokemon in his way, looking for a fight. Thanks to the technology of Pokeballs, Pokemon could get visual and vocal information from the outside world, and all of them knew why Gary was heading to Pallet Town as if Giratina herself was behind him.

His best friend was dying, and he needed to be there. Gary needed to be with Ash regardless of what happened because Gary would never forgive himself if he weren't there. Pure adrenaline guided him down the streets, and he wouldn't be surprised if people were already calling his grandfather to let them know he was there. Gary nearly cried in relief upon making it to the hospital, where he ignored the strange sight of multiple Pidgeys, Pidgeottos, and even large Pidgeots guarding the place in various spots. One of them squawked in surprise upon seeing him, but again, Gary didn't care as he rushed inside.

The receptionist looked almost ready to have a heart attack when Gary slammed his hands on the table. He had to have looked like a madman as he shouted, "Ash Ketchum! Where is he?!"

"H-H-He's in R-R-Room 109, but sir-"

That was all Gary needed as he ran as fast as his legs could carry. He made it to Room 109 in half a minute and all but burst it open. "ASH!"

Gary felt his heart stop upon seeing Ash, healthy and awake, jump in his bed while staring at Gary in shock. There was also a Pidgey hanging onto the horn of a surprised Absol, who soon growled at him, but that all faded away when Ash said, "G-Gary? What are you doing-"

Ash's voice died at once when Gary, tears in his eyes, hugged his best friend and sobbed on his shoulder. "You're alive...oh, thank Arceus... you're alive."

"...G-Gary?"

When Gary heard of Ash's injuries, he nearly lost his dinner. How anyone could survive such damage at his age was unheard of, but Ash had always been stubborn, even when they were little. Gary felt around Ash's body, but it looked like his treatment had fixed him. He sighed in relief before asking Ash, "What the hell happened to you?! How did you end up nearly getting yourself killed on your first day?! With the injuries, Grandpa told me, I could have sworn an army of Charizards mobbed you!"

"It was...my starter...P-P-P-P-Pikachu," Ash whispered as he shook with fear. Panic was in his eyes, and he wrapped his arms around his waist to comfort him. "He...he just kept shocking me...I pleaded, I begged, and I...I...I don't want...I don't want...please..."

Realizing this wasn't helping, Gary quickly touched Ash's shoulder and tried comforting him. "It's okay! It's okay, Ash. You don't...you don't need to say anything... you're safe, and that's what matters..."

"...Why do you care?" Ash whispered.

"Huh? What are you talking about?" Gary asked, tilting his head.

"Why do you even care, Gary?" Ash growled as he stared at his rival, tears forming. "Are you just here to mock me as always? Call me a loser?! Well, guess what! You were right! I'm a loser! A loser who couldn't even handle one Pokemon! "

"W-What are you talking about?! Ash, I came here because I was worried about you!" Gary shouted in disbelief. "We're friends and-"

"Friends?! Friends?! After everything you've done to me, you think we're friends?!" Ash shouted so loud it made everyone back away. Gritting his teeth, Ash let the tears fall down his cheeks as he slammed his fist into his bed. "Calling me names?! Making fun of me for not being as good as you?! Making me feel friendless and lonely?! Saying that I'll never be as good as you or that I'm just going to mess up?! Well, I guess you are right! I messed up! I messed up so badly that I couldn't even be a Pokemon Trainer for one day and almost got killed!"

"...Ash I..." Gary heard a growl and slowly turned around to see the Absol all but staring at him with utter disgust and anger. The Pidgey looked ready to peck his eyes out while her wings flared. He even could feel his team's disbelief and disapproving eyes inside their Pokeball. A horrible realization hit Gary as he realized his actions might have been wrong and that he didn't know. He had always heard stories about how his Father and Ash's Father had been rivals who pushed each other. He thought he was doing that.

But...was I being a bully? Gary asked himself in horror.

"I...I thought we were...just being rivals..you know...ribbing each other...I was only saying that to pump you up. Be better. I thought..." Ash didn't look at him, but Gary could tell he was angry and afraid. It was as if he was expecting Gary to kick him down even further than he had already been. Gary slowly looked down in shame. Had he been that bad?

"Gary, just admit you hate me and leave me alone..." Ash bitterly whispered as he lowered his head. "You won. You're better. I'm done."

"Done?" Gary asked, confused.

"I'm done trying to be a Pokemon Trainer," Ash said, which shocked Gary gasp. "I almost got killed doing it, and I made my mother worry for me. I made everyone worry for me. I almost died."

That had brought a chill into the room. Ash had almost died—by his own starter on his first day as a Pokemon Trainer. Gary couldn't even imagine the thought of that happening to anyone as Ash, tears dripping down to his sheets, just shook his head. "I'm not worthy of having a Pokemon. I'm not worthy of being my father's son. I'm just...a loser."

A loser.

How often had he told Ash that because he wanted him to get stronger? Use that as an encouragement to be better. To show Gary up? To be the rival he wanted his best friend to be, they could grow stronger together. He thought they were just like Red and Blue. Their fathers were the best of rivals and the best of friends. He felt that it would be just like that.

But it wasn't. Gary had been a bully. He tore down Ash's spirit. He was a monster to his childhood friend, whose father was like a brother to his father, and whose mother had treated Gary as if he was her second child. His Grandfather even treated Ash like a second grandson. And Gary had hurt Ash. He broke him.

Just like the Pikachu, who had damaged him physically, Gary had hurt him emotionally.

"...No, I'm the loser," Gary whispered, which made Ash look up at him and widen his eyes upon seeing that Gary shed his own tears. Falling to his knees, Gary sobbed and lowered his head in shame. "I never...I never meant for you to think that...Ash, believe me when I say this..."

And for the first time in his life, Gary bowed his head so low it touched the floor. "I am so sorry!"

"G-Gary?" Ash looked in disbelief as Gary soon shot up and held his hand. "W-What..."

"Ash, everything I did was to make us better rivals, but I was wrong! I'm sorry! I never meant to make you feel so...so...inferior to me! If anything, you're a far better person than I am for taking all of that crap and never once hating me for it," Gary shouted as he shook his head. "The only one unworthy of being a Pokemon Trainer is me. I'm the loser who acted like such a jerk to you and ruined our friendship. I got everything wrong, and I made you feel like this...I'm the loser, Ash. Not you."

"But I...you..." Ash looked lost as if he had just seen the sun rise in the north and the moon suddenly turn into cheese. He turned to the Absol and Pidgey in the room, who looked just as confused.

"Ash, I don't care what it takes," Gary said with determination and narrowed eyes. "I will make it up to you. I'll do everything I can to make up all the years of bullying, even if it takes me a lifetime. And I know how to start."

"H-How?" Ash asked.

"By convincing you to keep fighting as a Pokemon Trainer," Gary said as he looked at the two Pokemon inside and nodded. "These two your Pokemon?"

"Well, they saved my life and their friends, I guess," Ash said with hesitation.

"Good," Gary said before smirking and pointing his finger at Ash. "Ash Ketchum! I challenge you to a Pokemon Battle."

"...Huh?!"

This had to be the most odd two days for Ash Ketchum. First, he was nearly shocked to death by his starter. Then he was saved by an Absol, a Pokemon rarely seen in Kanto, and followed by being healed from the brink of death mysteriously. He woke up to learn he could understand Pokemon, which led to him, Azrael, and Skye testing such a new ability. And now Gary, his rival, was apologizing to him for all the horrible things he had done and challenging him to a Pokemon Battle.

Ash felt his life would be a lot more complicated going forward for some reason.

Regarding the Pokemon Battle, Ash should have said no. He should have just told Gary he couldn't because he was still recovering, but something in Ash made him accept Gary's offer. A spark that was burning inside of him that told him to take it. He looked at Azrael, who nodded and showed an equal sense of determination. Maybe Ash just wanted to finally have that duel with Gary as an official Pokémon Trainer that he always wanted, or maybe it was a part of Ash that refused to give up his dream despite saying so.

But regardless, he said yes.

Of course, there was the fact that Ash couldn't move his body ideally, but Gary fixed that by getting a wheelchair and helping Ash into it so they could head outside. A few people, shocked at seeing Ash awake, tried to stop them, but Gary ignored them. He pushed a stunned Ash, dressed only in his hospital gown, out of the building and into the backyard big enough for a battle. It was a large area with a fence not far from them and tons of tall grass that went up to Ash's knees. Skye had flown out to talk to her father and let the others know that Ash wasn't in danger (as they looked ready to swarm), while Gary positioned him at one side of the field and rushed over to the other.

"Is this happening?" Ash asked out loud.

("I guess so because we're out here,") Azrael said as he stood by Ash's side. Glancing over, he asked, ("Are you sure you want to do this?")

Ash didn't know. He was ready to throw in the towel after what had happened with Pikachu. Yet he couldn't deny that there was something inside him telling him to do this. He was about to say something when one of the Doctors rushed out with a Chansey waving his hands.

"What are you two doing?! Ash needs his rest and-"

"Doctor!" Ash shouted, getting his attention. "It's fine. I'll be okay."

"But-"

"Sorry, Doc! But this is important! I'm going to make sure Ash doesn't give up his dream! Don't worry! I won't hurt him at all!" Gary shouted before turning to Ash and smirking. "I'm not going to go easy on you just because you were in the hospital! We'll do one on one only! No substitutions! Ready?!"

"C-Can I have a moment?" Ash asked, and Gary nodded. Turning to Azrael, he whispered, "What moves do you know?"

(" Quick Attack. Leer. Double Team. And Knockoff .") Azrael answered.

"Wow, that last one is powerful. You're really strong, Azrael," Ash said in awe, which made the Absol lightly paw the ground.

("I...I trained really hard,") He answered before nodding his head. ("Again, are you sure you want to do this?")

Ash closed his eyes before nodding and smirking. "Yeah. Let's do it."

("Alright,") Azrael said as he jumped forward and prepared himself. ("Then let's do this...partner.")

"Right, partner," Ash said as he gritted his teeth in excitement and held onto the arm handles of his wheelchair. "We're ready, Gary!"

"Right!" Gary said as he pulled out one of his Pokeballs. "Let's go, Eevee!"

He threw it into the air, and a burst of light erupted from the Pokeball, forming into Eevee, who landed on the grass and smiled. ("I'm ready!")

("So am I!") Azrael shouted as both quad Pokemon prepared themselves, shifting into a form ready to attack.

("Hold it!")

Everyone watched as one of the Pidgeots landed on the ground between the two Pokemon. At first, there was confusion until he stood up straight and addressed them all. ("If this is going to be a legit Pokemon Battle, then there must be a referee. I have been in hundreds of battles and know the rules by heart. Therefore, I, Sorrin, shall step in as one.")

"Huh, what's that Pidgeot doing?" Gary asked, looking at the confused Doctor, who shrugged.

Ash, who heard everything thanks to his new ability, almost said it word for word but thought it best to keep his new power a secret until he could talk to Professor Oak and his mother. That name sounded familiar to Ash, but he couldn't put it on his tongue. Regardless, Ash said, "I think he wants to referee our match."

"Huh, I didn't know Pokemon could do that. But I guess that's alright by me," Gary said as he turned to Ash and grinned. "Ready to battle? I'm in the lead of all our practice matches by fifteen."

"Gonna be fourteen after this one!" Ash replied with a similar grin.

"Well, you're still gonna have to earn it!" Gary said, but this was not out of mocking like before. No, it was general friendliness and competition. Ash could tell and for some reason that made him smile even more.

"(Then it is agreed. Gary Oak and his Eevee vs Ash Ketchum and his Absol. It is a one-match with no substitutions. Should the Pokemon cannot battle or the match forfeited by his trainer, the other trainer and his Pokemon will win. No Pokemon will attack the trainer or else.")

Sorrin said that last part with such viciousness that it even made those who couldn't understand him shiver.

Raising his right wing, Sorrin shouted, ("Ready?! Begin!")

Once his wing shot down, Gary shouted, "Eevee! Rush in with Tackle !"

Eevee cried and blitzed down the grassy terrain so fast that the grass kicked up into the air in her wake. Ash narrowed his eyes and focused as he felt something in his instincts telling him not to say to Absol dodge, as most would do, but use a different method. He waited until Eevee was within reach before his mind kicked into gear as he shouted, "Azrael! Use Leer on Eevee!"

"Eevee! Stop your attack!" Gary shouted, but it was too late

Azrael's red eyes began to glow, and once it gazed upon Eevee, the little Pokemon froze in terror at the gaze. This was enough for Ash to shout, " Now quickly! Use Quick Attack !"

Azrael yelled and rushed forward, smashing his shoulder and head into Eevee, who yelped and was pushed back a few feet before rolling back onto their paws. Ash pumped up his fists and let out a yelp. "Alright! The first blow is ours!"

Shaking her head, Eevee growled, "(That's not gonna work twice!")

"Not bad, Ash, but this fight's just begun!" Gary shouted as he struck his hand out. "Eevee! Use Tail Whip !"

Eevee charged forward with her tail glowing as she charged forward again. Azrael prepared himself and waited for the following command while Ash wondered what Gary was planning. Having battled him multiple times with the Pokemon in the lab as practice, he knew Gary always had a plan to combine various moves. That was proven correct as Eevee got closer, but then Gary shouted, " Sand Attack!"

"Shoot! Azrael, cover your eyes!" Ash shouted

Azrael did so as Eevee quickly collected dust in her tail and shot it out to attempt to blind Azrael, but he managed to cover his eyes in time. But Eevee wasn't done. She slammed her tail into the ground, and dust kicked up, covering their surrounding area. Eevee was gone when it started to fade away, and neither Ash nor Azrael could see her.

"Where did she go? Do you see her?" Ash asked, trying his best to see in his wheelchair.

("No, but I can smell her. She's still in the area and above ground, but the sand and dust are interfering with my sense of smell,") Azrael answered.

This thing I can do? Talking with Pokemon? It's helpful alright , Ash thought as he tried to figure out what Gary would do next before he did it.

It was too late as Gary smirked and shouted, "Got you now! Eevee! Use Quick Attackwhile still using the tall grass as cover!"

Eevee suddenly burst from one of the tall grass areas on the left and delivered a blow head-first into Azrael, who loudly yelled as he was knocked back. Eevee then managed to jump back into one of the tall grasses, so Azrael pounced it only to find nothing there. This was followed by Eevee Quick Attackinghim again, but this time in a new area and twice as fast. Ash gritted his teeth upon seeing that Gary used the terrain to his advantage. Eevee's small size gave her a better chance of hiding the tall grass and using it as cover. It was also much quicker than Azrael, who couldn't keep up and was getting pounded attack after attack.

("Darn it! I can't catch her! Argh!") Azrael growled as he took another blow near his hindquarters. ("Ash, we need to do something!")

"I know...but..." Ash gritted his teeth. Was he going to lose? Was this more proof that he wasn't worthy?

("I trust you, Ash!") Azrael encouraged him as he prepared himself for another blow. He managed to dodge it this time, and Eevee ducked back into the grass. ("Give the command. I believe in you!")

Azrael, Ash thought with wide eyes upon hearing this. Hearing the Absol say this moved his heart, and he nodded. Ash wasn't going to give up. He was going to fight. He survived the worst day of his life. He could win this battle.

Because he finally had a true partner with him.

Soon, an idea came to mind upon remembering one of his moves.

"Azrael! Double Team !"

Azrael grinned and started making perfect copies of himself as Absol appeared all around the field, much to Gary's surprise. Eevee tried attacking one of them, but it faded through the fake image and disappeared. Surprised, Eevee tried again and again, but each one was fake, and Azrael created more copies to continue faking it out. Gary tried to guess himself by issuing orders to attack certain ones, thinking there was a pattern, but Azrael was too cunning and kept making them miss.

Ash could see that Eevee was getting tired and knew they could finish this with one blow. However, he wanted to keep the element of surprise to ensure that Gary didn't counterattack. He realized he didn't need to say the attack's name since Azrael had told him. "Azrael! Wait for the right moment, and then use your strongest attack!"

"Strongest attack?" Gary wondered as he tried to figure out what it was. This distraction cost him as Eevee tried again for another Quick Attack,only to miss. However, one of the copies soon moved towards Eevee from the side and charged its horn with dark energy. Tiny black sparks burst out of the horn as Azrael roared and charged forward with all its might. Gary gasped and shouted at Eevee to dodge as she looked to her side in horror.

With a mighty yell, Azrael slammed his powerful Knock Offattack into Eevee's side, sending her spiraling out like a comet. The black energy instantly blew up in her face and side, causing them to burn and lightly bleed as Eevee tumbled toward Gary. Landing on her back, Eevee moaned and coughed as it became clear that she was too weak to move, so Gary scooped her up with his arms and gave her a small smile of comfort.

("Eevee is unable to battle! The winner is Ash Ketchum and Azrael the Absol!)." Sorrin shouted as he raised his wing in Ash's direction.

("Woohoo!") Skye dived into Ash's chest and fluttered her wings. ("That was amazing! That was awesome! I wish it were me who was battling! I want to go next! Me! Me!")

"I...I won..." Ash whispered in awe as he looked at his hands. "I...beat Gary...my first match as a Pokemon Trainer...and I won."

("You did amazing, Ash,") Azrael said as he walked over and smiled at Ash. ("I knew we would win thanks to you.")

"You were pretty awesome yourself, Azrael," Ash said as he put his hand on Absol's head and rubbed it, making him smile and growl affectionately. "I couldn't have done it with you...partner."

("Same here...partner,") Azrael said with a wide smile.

("Hey! I want to be his partner, too! I want to join you, Ash! Let me be on your team!") Skye shouted as she flapped to his head. ("I'm a rough and tough fighter! I can do it! We'll be the best team ever!)"

"You want to be on my team? Both of you?" Ash asked in surprise.

("I would be honored, Ash,") Azrael said with a nod before bowing. ("I will protect you and help you achieve your dreams. I promise.")

("Me too!)"

Tears began forming again in Ash's eyes as he hugged both Pokemon as close as possible and sobbed happily. "Y-Yeah! We'll do it together! We'll be the best Pokemon Team ever!"

"So, does that mean you're not going to quit?" Ash looked up and saw Gary walking over to him with Eevee, who was smiling weakly as he used a potion to spray on her. "Good, because I want a rematch after a battle like that."

"Yeah, I guess I am not quitting," Ash said as he smiled at Gary. "T-Thanks, Gary. I...I..."

"It's alright; it's the least I can do for all the problems I caused you," Gary said with a sigh.

"...I forgive you," Ash said with a wide smile as he held out his fist. "Friends?"

"Always, Ashy-Boy," Gary replied as he bumped first. Doing so, the two could feel something finally mend between them that had been missing for a long time. A sense of genuine friendship that was ruined by misunderstanding. Ash knew it would take time to mend it to how it used to be in the old days of their childhood, but this was a good step.

("So, you wish to be Ash's partner, Skye?") Sorrin said as he walked forward and looked down at the five of them.

("Yup! I'm going to be a Trainer's Pokemon just like you were, Daddy!") Skye said with a happy chirp.

Sorrin chuckled. ("I suppose it must be fate that my daughter ends up being the partner of my old trainer's son. You will be in good hands, Skye. If Ash is anything like Red, he'll be a great trainer and friend to you.")

"R-R-Red? Wait a minute. Is your name Sorrin?! As in my Dad's Pidgeot Sorrin?!" Ash shouted in shock, making Sorrin, Gary, and Eevee look at him with stunned expressions before he stared at Skye. "You're my Dad's Pidgeot's daughter?!"

("Y-Y-Y-You understood me?!") Sorrin asked in shock, flaring his wings out.

"Uh...yeah? I can...kinda..." Ash nervously rubbed the back of his head. "Well, I can understand...Pokemon now."

...

...

...

"Huh?!"

("What?!")

("How?!")

Ash turned to Eevee and said, "I don't know! I just woke up and found out I could take to Azrael and Skye."

("Holy Articuno! You can understand me!") Eevee said in shock before smiling and wagging her tail. ("My name is Rachel! Nice to meet you!")

"Nice to meet you too, Rachel!" Ash greeted her happily.

"Rachel?" Gary asked in surprise as he looked at Eevee, who smiled at him. "That's your name?"

("Yup!") Eevee said while giving her trainer a lick on the nose.

"Heh, I'll take that as a yes. Guess I'll also have to have Ash translate to know Hydro and Robin's name," Gary said with a chuckle as he turned to Ash. "Talking to Pokemon. I envy you for that. I think anyone would."

"I still don't know how I got it," Ash answered.

"Eh, Gramps can figure it out. He's smart," Gary said as he turned his head and smiled. "Oh, hey! There he is with your mother."

Ash felt his heart nearly leap from his chest when he turned his head around. His eyes widened, and he gazed upon his mother, who was staring at him with a slightly open mouth and hand to her heart. Things were frozen for Ash for a moment as he recalled one of the last thoughts that he had before passing out from Pikachu's assault was how he missed his mother. How he wanted to feel her one last time because he thought, right there, he was going to die. He couldn't even imagine what she had gone through upon seeing him in his damaged state, especially when it was only twelve years ago that Ash's father died.

Before Ash knew it, his mother was already wrapping her arms around his neck and squeezing him tight as his face pressed against her chest. She was sobbing uncontrollably, thanking Arceus that he was awake and telling him how much she loved him. That soon broke the dam for Ash, and he started crying, too. When he prepared himself for his Pokemon Journey, there was a good chance he knew he wouldn't see his mother for a long time. She promised him that she would always be waiting for him to come home, no matter where he went and how long it took.

Having had his brush with death, Ash vowed he would never take the loving care of his mother for granted ever in his life. They were all they had family for a long time, and Ash felt nothing but guilt for letting her down like this.

"Mom... I'm so-"

"No, Ash," Delia whispered as she stroked his hair. "Don't say anything. I'm just...so happy you're going to be okay..."

Ash smiled warmly and nodded his head. "I'm okay, Mom... I'm okay..."

"...Then why are you having a Pokemon Battle when you should be resting, young man!" Delia yelled, making Ash's eyes widen and his body freeze. He knew that tone. Oh Arceus did he know that tone. She put her hands on her hips and stared down at him with such disapproval that it made him wince. "You just got out of a terrible situation where you were hurt beyond belief, and the first thing you do is have a battle outside?! Unbelievable!"

"I...I...Um...Gary and I..." Ash stuttered.

"And you, Gary Micheals Oak!" Delia shouted, turning to face the boy who gulped and went pale. Even Rachel in his arms started to sweat by the leering eyes of Mama Ketchum. "You should know better than to drag my son into such a thing! And look at you! You look just as bad as he did! Have you been eating right?! Did you even sleep?! Or bathe?! You are not a pig, young man!"

"A-A-Aunt Delia, I was just..."

"You two are also to be ashamed of yourselves!" Delia pointed at shocked Azrael and Skye, who frozen in place upon being called out. "You two acted like you were protecting my son but allowed him to do this! There is a time and place for being responsible, and you two children are not thinking right! You are just as irresponsible as these two boys!"

("I...I feel ... so scared right now ... ") Skye muttered in terror.

("My Danger Sense is going haywire...") Azrael muttered with a gulp.

"Sorrin!" It was the Pidgeot's turn to sweat and lean back in terror as Delia got in his face. Despite being taller, he looked like a tiny Rattata in fear of his life as Delia kept poking him in the chest with her finger. "You have the worst excuse! You are an adult and should have stopped this instead of allowing it to happen! You might have been my husband's Pokemon, but that won't save you from a scolding mister! I have half a mind to get all your mates and tell them of your boneheaded decision!"

("W-W-Wait, Delia! Let's not be hasty here! No need to bring my five mates into this!") Sorrin cried out as he raised his wings in surrender.

"And that goes for you two as well!" Delia continued her warpath by pointing at the stunned Doctor and Chansey, who were surprised by this sudden accusation. "Dr. Yuzuhara, you are a professional doctor and you allow my son to engage in this possible dangerous behavior?! I have half a mind to sue this hospital and see that the Board of Healthcare reviews your medical license."

"M-M-M-Mrs. Ketchum! Please I...I was just..."

"M-Mom! Please, I know you're angry-"

"I'm not just angry, Ash, " Delia huffed. "I'm also very disappointed in you all!"

That made everyone wince and hold a hand, paw, wing, or otherwise to their hearts upon hearing this.

For some reason, that hurt worse.

All Samuel Oak could do was be glad Delia didn't have him on her crosshairs.