With every flap of his wings, he rose.
Higher and higher.
The clouds opened up and silence ensued.
His only company was the sun.
He couldn't stop here.
He had to go higher.
Have you heard the tale of the man who flew too close to the sun?
Chapter 1
"The court case of the Berlitz Estate v Ash Ketchum has been reopened for the third time today," The judge took a breath as he studied the two parties that stood before him. "I understand that some new evidence has been brought before the court."
"Yes, your Honor,"
…
"Your Honor, it has been made abundantly clear that Ash Ketchum was…for lack of a better word, the scapegoat."
"The previous ruling was supported by Ash's fingerprints being on the weapon without anyone else's. But the positioning of Ash's fingerprints wasn't taken into account along with the additional evidence of a struggle taking place in the vehicle."
"Why wasn't this considered during the original ruling?"
"Ash Ketchum plead guilty, so the formal investigation ended. A private investigator brought this to our attention."
"There is also a special witness with further information,"
The plaintiff made a gesture to the seating area where a woman with striking red hair was seated. That was her cue and she rose from her seat. The bailiff met her at the front row where she placed a messenger envelope in his hands.
The judge studied her carefully and a small glint on the collar of her flak jacket gained his attention. It was a golden V pin, signature to Kalos' Vanguard. She shot him a smirk and he raised his brow.
The bailiff delivered the envelope to the judge. Inside was a script and an audio recorder.
"What is this?" The judge inquired.
"Your Honor, Malcolm Berlitz received a phone call just before he was killed. The model car that he rode in received the call and kept an audio recording. It was transcribed for the jury to examine as well. With this, we can identify who the real killer was."
"I see…we will take a twenty-minute recess to consider this evidence."
…
During that recess, the judge found himself speaking with the woman who provided the envelope in his private chamber.
"Your Honor, it's nice to meet you," She stated with a short nod to him.
"Should I ask what a member of the Vanguard is doing here in Kanto?"
"This case was brought before the High Court of Kalos last month and while we overruled the previous ruling, only a district court of Kanto could have Ash Ketchum exonerated."
"Exonerated?" The judge exclaimed. "What for?"
"The Vanguard has ties to this case. Our preference is to bury everything, and to do that, Ash Ketchum needs to be exonerated," She explained and the judge narrowed his eyes.
"What do you gain from this?" He asked and she stifled a laugh.
"We have nothing to gain, your Honor," She answered. "I can promise you that none of the evidence presented in your court today has been manipulated. Ash Ketchum was always innocent and he removed someone that could be considered a threat on a regional level. The High Court has decided that he will be exonerated and released. I am just the messenger that is giving you the evidence that we found to do so."
Her lips curved upward into a sultry smirk.
"Keep that in mind when you give your ruling."
…
"Has the jury reached the verdict?"
"Your Honor, we the jury, find Ash Ketchum…not guilty."
"Excellent…and in light of recent developments, the district court of Kanto has decided to overturn the previous ruling in this case made by the Vermilion City court. Based on the evidence provided, Ash Ketchum is to be exonerated, released from prison and this case will be closed."
99 Years since the Great Crisis
Tuesday, March 3rd
Four years.
Four long years.
Okay, almost four. The end of June this year would've made it four, but thankfully he wouldn't have to make a fourth etch on the wall of his cell.
His time here was up.
Pacing back and forth in the small cell that was exclusively his during his imprisonment at this facility, Ash Ketchum struggled to stay still. The news had reached him Sunday night, news that would forever change his life.
He was going to be free again!
"Come on, Ketchum, today's the day."
Hearing a gruff voice, Ash looked to the entrance of his cell and saw a pair of guards waiting for him. One swung his nightstick aimlessly while the other unlocked the gate. Even as it was happening, it was still hard to believe. He was no longer a prisoner in the Cerulean Correctional Facility.
He took a gander at his cell one last time. He spent many sleepless nights staring at the ceiling, and many mornings observing his own transformation in the mirror above his sink. At long last, the tortuous routine was over.
"Ketchum, I'm supposed to be nice to you today…but we don't have all day." One of the guards reminded him with a motion for Ash to exit the cell. Ash gave a small nod and complied.
"Psst."
Ash's attention was drawn to the cell beside his own where an older gentleman approached the gate. It was Joseph, Ash's neighbor from the moment he arrived. Joseph never shared what he did to end up in this facility, but he looked after Ash throughout his time here.
"Joseph…it looks like…it looks like this is goodbye," Ash said slowly to the man who extended a hand between the bars of his cell. They shook hands and James gave Ash's arm a tug, pulling him close.
"I heard everything already," He began as he looked up at Ash solemnly. "I knew it from the moment I first met you. I saw it in your eyes, you weren't like the rest of us here."
Feeling Joseph squeeze his hand harder, Ash understood what it meant for everyone here to see him leave. No prisoner had ever been released from this facility…until Ash. He was first.
"You gave this place the last four years of your life, so I don't ever want to see you here again," Joseph stated but when Ash opened his mouth to reply, Joseph raised a hand to stop him. He pointed to the guards that were waiting on Ash, their impatience beginning to show.
Ash gave a nod as a promise.
"Let's go, Ketchum," The guard declared as he tapped Ash's shoulder twice. Joseph released his hold on Ash and watched as he was taken to the exit of the detention block.
Leaving this area, Ash was led to an elevator that took them down to a room Ash hadn't seen since he first arrived. He had been stripped of what little belongings he had in this room, and it was all tucked away into a vault. Now Ash could reclaim those items.
The guard who worked the vault was there waiting for them with a small plastic bin resting on his desk.
"ID?" He asked as he studied Ash.
"Ash Ketchum. Block D, 34." Ash said in reply. That was his home and the inscription on his uniform.
"It's all yours." He said with a gesture to the bin. The item that rested at the top of his belongings caused his heart to quiver.
The red and white cap that his mother had made for him. He couldn't help but smile fondly as he held the tip of the cap to place it on his head. This hat had functioned as a containment unit for his unruly hair when he was younger, but the policy in the prison required a buzz cut. His hat was now loose and awkward, but he could bear with how strange it felt against his head.
Ash looked through the contents of the bin and found the clothes that he had been wearing when he was brought here. Would these even fit him?
"There's a bathroom over there for you to change in," His escort pointed out with a gesture toward the other end of the room. Ash gathered his clothes and disappeared into the restroom. There was a mirror angled right at the entrance so he saw his reflection as he entered the room. Seeing his signature cap on his head brought back many memories.
And then when his vision focused and he saw himself now, Ash could only look away. He had changed dramatically in order to adjust to the lifestyle here. Could he…go back to being how he was before?
When he changed into his clothes, it didn't seem like it. His body now was far more developed than when he was eighteen and his clothes made that apparent. Lifting weights and working out was more than just entertainment during the last few years. Looking strong was a form of protection, one that Ash needed considering his age at the time.
Looking at himself now, he frowned at his bulky frame. He preferred the slight, defined form that he had prior to his time in prison. Now that there wasn't a need to be so big, perhaps he could return to his original size, or at least get closer to it.
Ash stepped out of the bathroom and he could see the guard's expression soften at the sight of him in casual clothes. This was one of the very few occasions that they saw someone dressed in such a fashion. He went back to the counter where his bin was waiting for him and dropped the uniform in.
His escorts came forward and motioned for him to follow. They continued on their way, proceeding through a pair of gates before they reached a corridor with a sizeable window. Ash caught sight of the outside world and it snatched his breath from him. Even with the sun missing due to an overcast, it didn't put a damper on his mood. In fact, he was anxiously anticipating that first step outside. A step where there were no armed guards watching his every move.
"Hey Ketchum, you've got someone waiting for you. Let's get a move on," One of the guards called out to Ash, snapping him out of his daze. Ash jogged to reach the guards and inquired about the person that was mentioned.
"Someone's waiting for me?"
"Yeah, an old fella," He replied as they arrived at their final checkpoint. There were several guards stationed here, Ash's focus went straight to the man on the opposite side of the last gate. He was an elderly man, dressed in brown slacks and a polo shirt but Ash didn't recognize his face. "That's him right there."
Upon noticing Ash, the older man rose from the table he was seated at and adjusted the collar of his shirt.
"You just got some paperwork to do before you can get out of here." The guard said as he directed Ash to the desk where a receptionist was waiting for him with said paperwork.
"I just have a few forms for you to sign Ash, and you'll be on your way." She said and Ash gave a nod as she placed a pen in front of him. All the spots for him to sign were marked already as he skimmed over the documents - his release forms.
He scribbled his signature down until all the required locations were filled. The receptionist gave Ash a cheerful, heartwarming smile as he returned the pen and stack of papers.
"And that's it Ash, have a good life out there. Make the best of it." She said to him.
Ash looked toward the last gate, but one of the guards cleared his throat to get Ash's attention.
"Well this is it, Ketchum," He said as he approached the gate with Ash, giving a nod to the guard on the other side to open it up. "I've always wanted to say this to someone here…good luck out there."
Those were his parting words with the Cerulean Correctional Facility.
He was on the other side of the gate, in the main lobby of the building. The outside world was just a few steps away. But the older man that waited for him stepped forward with his hand extended toward Ash.
They shook as a greeting before the conversation began.
"Hello Ash," The man began as he approached Ash. "I'm assuming that you don't remember me."
"When did we meet?" Ash asked him.
"It was maybe fifteen years ago, give or take, back in Pallet Town. I was well acquainted with your family." He explained but Ash shook his head. "My name is Samuel Oak."
Samuel Oak…
Oak…
He knew an Oak.
"I know a Gary Oak," Ash muttered with a furrowed brow. It was a faint memory of another boy that he used to play with when he was little. "He was this kid I used to play with back in Pallet Town."
Samuel grinned at him.
"My grandson," He stated. "He would spend the summers with me in Pallet Town and you're correct, the two of you spent a great deal of time together."
"Not to sound rude or anything, but all I'm interested in knowing is…why are you here?" Ash asked him.
"Well, I…" Samuel stopped with his mouth open and observed the guards that were listening on shamelessly. "I don't think here is the place to discuss that. I have my car waiting for us outside. Let's continue out there."
Samuel motioned for them to walk and talk. When Ash set his sights on the exit, he felt a tightness in his chest. It grew with every step that he drew closer to the exit and the freedom that awaited him. The doors parted and Samuel went out without so much as a thought, but Ash needed to take a breath. A moment…to realize that this wasn't some cruel dream.
This was his reality.
He was free!
The first step was exhilarating.
He looked around, admiring the open plains that stretched out throughout this portion of Route 25. There was a faint breeze rolling through, causing the grass to wave, though, Ash didn't feel the urge to wave back.
"Over here, Ash!" Samuel called out to him. Ash's focus returned and he spotted Samuel waving from a small sedan. Ash approached him and leaned over for them to talk through the window of the driver's door. "Come on, get in."
"No offense to you, but I want an answer first," Ash responded. Samuel raised his brow.
"Ah, that's right," He began. "I was saying, there were many hands involved in getting you exonerated, my own included. A colleague of mine found some evidence and went on quite a wild chase following that lead, but it gave us everything we needed to form a case against the previous ruling. I was among a group that took your case before a court in Kalos to have your prison sentence revoked," Samuel wore a large smile as he continued. "Now that you're free, I thought you might appreciate some help getting your life started again."
"What are you offering me?" Ash inquired.
"A place to stay, possibly live in for a while," Oak answered. "I have a ranch in Pallet Town with a guest bedroom that you can stay in."
"It's awfully nice of you to go through all this," Ash said as he began to wave off the offer. "But I have to get back to…"
He hesitated, feeling a chill on his shoulders.
Vermilion City…
He wanted to get back to Pikachu, to his family and friends. But…were they even there? It had been years after all? What happened since he left?
Ash looked away from Samuel as he recalled his final memory of Vermilion City.
"With your confession, there is now only one option in this case, Mr. Ketchum. A life sentence, which will be served at the Cerulean Correctional Facility."
"You want to go back to Vermilion City, don't you?" Samuel concluded with one eyebrow raised.
Ash shivered at the thought.
He wanted to see Pikachu again…he really did! But what was he going to say to his partner to explain his actions prior to his arrest? He couldn't justify what he did. It didn't matter how he worded it, there was no way to legitimately explain why he chose to abandon Pikachu…
"I'm not exactly sure," Ash said slowly, unable to make eye contact with Samuel. "There are people that I do…and don't want to see."
"That's fine, Ash," Samuel answered with a warm smile. "You were just released not even twenty minutes ago. It'll take some time for you to reacclimate yourself and besides, my offer still stands. Would like you to stay with me in Pallet Town, at least until you feel like you're ready?"
Ash hesitated to give his answer.
For whatever reason, he couldn't imagine facing Pikachu or his family right now. His palms were moist as he wrung his hands together, mulling over how he could offer up a meek explanation for his decision. Ash could see himself fumbling with his words and ultimately looking like the fool he was to help his father back then.
Ash shook his head and gave a reply.
"Yeah, I think it's for the best right now." He stated, and Samuel started the car.
Wednesday, March 4th
Ash sat at a small table outside of a café in downtown Cerulean City. Early March meant the air was cooler, especially in northern Kanto, but still a far cry from the late winter/early spring weather that the other mainland regions dealt with. He leaned back into this seat, uninterested in the menu, though Samuel continued to browse the list as they waited for some service.
A week ago, Ash never would've imagined being able to order waffles topped with razz berries and powdered sugar for breakfast, and yet here he was.
It was still hard to grasp all of it, though Samuel did say it would take some time for him to adjust back to a normal lifestyle. As they left the correctional facility yesterday, Ash was filled with a sudden admiration for the world around him. He couldn't help but marvel at how vast the expanse of the land was, how beautiful the moon looked at night…how soft the hotel bed was!
Last night was the greatest night of sleep he had in ages!
They arrived at Cerulean City late last night after leaving the correctional facility early in the evening. Samuel rented out a room for them in a local hotel and Ash enjoyed a private shower and a bed that felt like a cloud. He was asleep within moments of touching the bed and it was morning before he knew it.
Rather than get right back onto the highway to continue their drive to Pallet Town, Samuel decided to take Ash first to a discount clothing store. His old clothes were tight in the wrong places, so Ash was grateful for Samuel's awareness. Changing into a pair of jeans and a flannel shirt, Ash chose to forgo his old clothes and donate them to the shop. Everything except his hat, of course. With that small task complete, they set out for a local breakfast spot that was recommended by the cashier at the clothing store.
"So, Ash," Samuel began to strike up some small talk. "Is there anything you'd like to know?"
Ash looked at the older man, studying his appearance. He saw the wrinkles beginning to develop beneath his eyes, and the roots of his hair were becoming gray. But he was still well built and sturdy looking, even if his age was beginning to show.
"I remember yesterday, you mentioned that you knew my family," Ash noted, earning a nod from his company. "How did you know them?"
"You know, it wasn't really until just before your fifth birthday that I really started to get to know your family. I had always been so wrapped up in my research that I didn't make many friends in Pallet Town at first," Samuel explained sheepishly, scratching at the back of his head. "I had actually just gotten a new generator installed in my lab and it attracted the attention of a young Pichu who was passing through. Obviously, he didn't know any better considering his age at the time, but he gorged himself on the electricity from my generator which caused him to overload. He evolved into a Pikachu on the spot which was fascinating to witness."
Ash furrowed his brow, beginning to connect the dots as Samuel went on.
"However, that Pikachu also knocked out the power at my lab and it persisted for two days because the closest repairman would have to come from Viridian City. Word managed to spread around town that I had no power, and when your father heard about it, he offered me the auxiliary generator from his own home," Samuel gave a laugh as he recalled opening his front door to discover Aaron Ketchum parked outside with a generator in his pickup truck. "He helped me install it, but that same Pikachu was lurking around. Fortunately, Aaron acted swiftly and captured him as a gift for none other than…"
Samuel pointed to Ash who kept a straight face.
"Me."
"To this day I'm surprised by how quickly you bonded with Pikachu, I'd never seen anything like it," Oak commented causing Ash to shift in his seat. His mind flashed back to the last time he had seen Pikachu…the tears in Pikachu's eyes and as he begged Ash not to leave was gut-wrenching before he was called back into his Pokeball. The thought made Ash sick to his stomach.
"I'm sorry, can we…not talk about Pikachu right now?" Ash asked dryly as he looked at Samuel.
An uncomfortable silence set in, but Samuel complied with Ash's request. The two of them became absorbed in the menu to pass the rest of the time until their waiter arrived, affording Ash ample time to decide on what he wanted to eat. It was the first time he had done something like this in years. Last night, Samuel had brought back a bag of fast food to their hotel room, and Ash had no complaints about having someone else select his dinner. His meals had always been predetermined while he was in prison, and he grew accustomed to accepting whatever he was given. Trying to decide on what to eat was a harder task than he would've thought. Even when their waiter arrived to take their order, Ash was still struggling to decide and it became apparent to them when Ash couldn't give an answer.
"If I had to make a recommendation, Ash, I would try their breakfast special. It's a big portion, which you'll need for our drive back to Pallet Town." Samuel suggested and Ash looked to the waiter to give a nod. Once the waiter left, Ash gave the professor a small, earnest thanks.
Their meals arrived ten minutes later, and Ash found himself staring at a spread that seemed to sparkle in a way that resembled a new toy for a child. His waffles were golden brown and topped with Oran berries and whipped cream. The eggs were sunny side up with a slice of toast beside them and a tall glass of juice was set before him.
Based on how Ash used to eat as a child, Samuel was expecting to see him eat with an appetite that could put a Snorlax to shame, but that was hardly the case. Ash ate slowly, savoring each bite. In fact, Samuel was positive he saw the faintest of smiles on Ash's face at one point. Matching Ash's pace as they ate, Samuel was still the first to finish so he took the time to observe Ash closely.
It simply astounded him that this was Aaron's son sitting across from him.
Ash resembled his father strongly. The same jawline, the same markings on his cheeks and if Samuel were to take a guess, he was positive that Ash had the same adventurous spirit and love for Pokemon that embodied his father. But…both of them had been through a measure of trauma that at one point or another, robbed them of that love.
"So, Ash," Samuel began once Ash set down his knife and fork, having finished his breakfast. "Is there anything you'd like to do when we get to Pallet Town?"
"What do you mean?"
"Is there anything you'd like to study, or did you want to start looking for a job right away?" Samuel elaborated and Ash frowned.
"I hadn't even thought about that," He admitted, but the professor waved off his worry.
"Don't think too much about it, there's plenty to do around my ranch if you need time," Oak stated and Ash gave a nod in return.
Their breakfast came to an end and the two of them returned to the car to begin their trip to Pallet Town.
Saturday, March 7th
Two and a half days on the road.
It was a time of discovery for Ash.
Kanto was far bigger than he could've ever imagined, and they only managed to visit two cities during their trip to Pallet Town. Perhaps it was because he was just released from confinement that the world seemed so vast, or maybe the world really was that big…either way, the sights he saw left him in awe.
After they left Cerulean City, they spent almost eight hours on the road with a few breaks to stretch their legs. The majority of this portion of the trip was spent in the mountains between Pewter and Cerulean City. Ash never would've thought that there were rest stops up here, but there were several with a modest motel at each of them. According to the staff, they would rent out every room on the weekends to travelers and trainers alike.
Samuel wasn't particularly fond of the mountains, but Ash loved them. There was one spot in particular that provided him with an unforgettable view. The sun was setting and the motel they found was perched near a cliffside, allowing them to see the mountains that stretched across the northern perimeter of Kanto, including the likes of Mt. Moon that towered over the rest of them. From their elevation, Ash got a glimpse of how massive Kanto truly was. It seemed to stretch out forever.
Conversation between them was often one-sided. As a 'researcher' of Pokemon, Samuel could prattle on endlessly about the many Pokemon that inhabited the areas they were traveling through. He could explain how the climate affected the mammals while sea-faring Pokemon would migrate to the southern waters to reproduce. It was fascinating at some points, but Ash kept his comments to himself.
On day two, they finally arrived at Pewter City. Ash wasn't really sure if 'city' was appropriate to describe it. Pewter City was well populated, but it was spread thinly across a more suburban area. The heart of the city had a few skyscrapers, but it was nothing like the metropolis that was Vermilion City. They only stopped there for an hour to eat lunch, time which Ash spent wondering about the unlikely scenario that he might run into Brock. It was years ago that Brock mentioned that his family was looking at homes in Pewter City, and Ash had no idea if they actually moved here. But that scenario remained just that, a scenario.
Lunch in Pewter City came and went with nothing significant taking place. They got back on the road and enjoyed the more scenic environment of Route 2. It was a one-lane highway, wide-open plains, and thankfully, no traffic. So, they arrived in Viridian City just before midnight. Samuel rented another hotel room for them to sleep comfortably for the night, and after breakfast the next day, they were on the road again for the final leg of their journey.
Route 1 was filled with hills and valleys as the roads twisted through the varying elevations. But with time, they reached the seaside town. It was all rural. One person's property stretched on for acres, providing them with all the room to grow any sort of produce. The town square was the largest collection of buildings in town at a whopping total of nine!
The town hall, post office, and supermarket populated the square along with the other buildings of varying significance to daily life. As they drove along the dirt roads to cross the town, Ash was overwhelmed with a sense of familiarity. The open fields that he used to run through. The magnificent view of the shimmering ocean water that he knew since birth. The breeze dragged a light scent of rose across the town. It felt strange experiencing it all again because…it was exactly as he left it.
"Nothing's changed," Ash noted softly, his voice practically a whisper.
"What's that?" Samuel asked him as he closed the window on the driver's side.
"Oh, it's nothing,"
Samuel furrowed his brow but kept his eyes on the road.
"Can you feel nothing? Be nothing? Well, of course not." Samuel stated, causing Ash to glance at him curiously. "We are all something."
"Huh?"
Samuel chuckled quietly.
"That was a haiku, a form of poetry that was developed during the feudal era. You won't hear them much nowadays though," Samuel prattled on as he always did. "My grandson sends me a few from time to time. But back to you, Ash. What were you saying before?"
Ash shrugged his shoulders.
"I was just saying that Pallet Town hasn't changed much while I was away," Ash explained and Samuel nodded with a fond smile.
"I think that's the charm of this town. Everything stays…" Samuel said as they ascended a plateau with a sizable building resting at the summit. Behind it stood a proud windmill whose propellers ambled in the breeze. Professor Oak's Laboratory.
Ash marveled at the sight of its pristine condition as Samuel parked his car at the end of the roundabout in front of the lab's main entrance. Samuel stepped out of the car and stretched his back with a groan. As Ash got out, one of the windows on the second floor of the lab was opened, and a brunette stuck her head out.
"Grandpa, you're back!" She exclaimed and promptly shut the window. In a matter of moments, she reappeared at the main entrance, accompanied by a pair of Pokemon - a Growlithe and an Eevee. They all met on the doorstep of the lab, allowing the two Pokemon to begin their inspection of Ash, starting with his shoes.
"Ah, Daisy, how was the lab while I was away?" Samuel inquired as his granddaughter embraced him in a hug.
"Oh, the usual. I fed the Pokemon, cleaned a bit. Ms. Patterson dropped by a few times asking for you," Daisy noted and she raised one brow.
Samuel coughed at the mention of his neighbor if you could call her that considering she lived quite a distance down the road from his lab. Her daily visits were appreciated, though Daisy would often suggest that her pursuits were less neighborly and more romantic. Samuel sent a leer at Daisy and she shot him a grin in return.
"Don't be like that, she's a very sweet woman and I think it'd be a good idea for you to get out a bit more," Daisy added.
"Daisy, please…" Samuel muttered as he nodded toward Ash. "We have company."
Daisy chuckled at her grandfather's expense before she set her sights on Ash, raising her brow as she did so.
"Hello there," She said sweetly to start her introduction. "My name is Daisy, Professor Oak's granddaughter. Who might you be?"
"Daisy, this is Ash Ketchum," Samuel replied as Ash gave her a nod. "Do you remember him? The little boy that used to play with Gary during the summer when he would visit the lab with you."
Daisy frowned as she looked up and down at Ash. It took a moment for the memory to come to mind, but she struggled to make a comparison between them.
"This is Ash?" She exclaimed as she pointed at him. "Oh my god, you're all grown up!"
"Well, yeah, I'm twenty-one now," Ash responded dryly, causing Daisy to knock at her forehead with her knuckles.
"Duh, I should know that, you and Gary are practically the same age after all," She mumbled.
"It's no big deal, I hardly keep that in mind myself," He said to console her.
"So, what are you doing here, Ash?" Daisy asked him, snickering as Eevee managed to get a mouthful of his shoelaces.
Eevee tugged until the knot was undone, but that didn't stop her. Growlithe approached and took a mouthful of Eevee's mane to pick her up and with one pull she separated Eevee from Ash's shoelace. Growlithe then delivered Eevee back to the doorstep to set her down, but Eevee immediately scampered back to Ash to resume her contest.
Ash had ample time to think of a response as he watched Eevee, but his answer was lackluster at best. "Not quite sure, at the moment," He said with a shrug, his eyes downcast.
As he said this, Growlithe looked at him closely and she whined softly in response to his demeanor.
"No sense dwelling on that right now," Samuel said, earning Ash's attention. When they made eye contact, he gave Ash a great big smile and motioned toward the lab entrance. "Why don't we give you a tour of the lab?"
Daisy was the next to separate Eevee from Ash's shoelaces, and she berated the small Pokemon for treating their guest in such a manner. Once Eevee apologized to Ash, the group entered the lab, allowing Ash to marvel at its appearance. The lobby was large and spacious, connecting directly to the atrium or heart of the laboratory.
"Whoa," Ash couldn't find the voice to express how impressed he was with what he saw. Well-used gadgets and gizmos were carefully and closely positioned together for Samuel's one-man research crew. Charts and graphs hung from the walls, illustrating various facts about different Pokemon that ranged from their habitat to their sleep cycles.
"My grandpa studies Pokemon like crazy," Daisy commented.
"I don't just study Pokemon," He corrected her.
She rolled her eyes. "Whatever grandpa," She muttered as the tour began.
After all of the talking that Samuel did in the car, Ash thought that it would be impossible to top that. Yet, Samuel found a way! He blathered on endlessly as he took Ash around the lab, offering up an explanation about each field of study that ranged from its origin to its significance today. What should've been five minutes walking around the room at most was dragged out over the course of an hour. Just like their conversations, some of it was interesting, but far from all of it.
At long last, they arrived at a sight that Ash welcomed. The door that led to the back porch of the lab where he had a splendid view of Samuel's ranch. It was several acres, providing a variety of different areas and natural resources for the Pokemon living there.
"So, Ash, if you're interested in working on the ranch, you might as well meet all the Pokemon," Samuel suggested as they all stepped out onto the porch. Beside the doorway was a bell that was mounted on the wall. Samuel rang it six times and the sound resounded throughout the ranch before he turned to Ash. "So, you've already met Growlithe and Eevee."
At the mention of her name, Eevee resumed her assault on Ash's shoelaces, earning some protests from Growlithe.
"She's a feisty one," Daisy explained with a laugh as she kneeled down to gather Eevee in her arms. "She was born prematurely so she had to fight quite a bit, unlike the rest of her litter."
"Premature? But aren't all Pokemon born as eggs?" Ash asked with a furrowed brow.
"That is true," Samuel said with a nod toward Ash. "But in some cases, even as an egg, things can go awry. In Eevee's case, she hatched early, and consequently, she was underdeveloped compared to her siblings. We held on to her to monitor her development."
"What about her siblings, where are they?"
"Ecruteak City," Samuel answered, but before he could continue the sound of an approaching stampede drew their attention. The group looked to the herd of Pokemon that approached the back of the lab, shouting and shoving at each other as they came close. Thankfully, they all came skidding to a halt right in front of the group, all eyes going to Samuel to know why he summoned them. Samuel cleared his throat before he began to speak. "Everyone, we have a new um…trainee."
Samuel made a gesture toward Ash who felt a chill run up his spine as all of the Pokemon looked toward him. He could swear there was a glint in their eyes as if they were plotting his demise.
"He's going to help me look after the ranch, so if you want him to stay, make sure you're extra nice to him," Samuel stated as he looked to Ash and gave him a smile. "Why don't you introduce yourself to everyone."
Ash gave a brief nod, but as he raised his foot to step forward, the world around him became concealed in darkness. There was a sole spotlight where he stood, with dozens of little eyes watching him. Ash's heart rate quickened as he sucked in a breath of air. He was no longer on the ranch…he stood in the cafeteria of the Cerulean Correctional Facility with the eyes of his fellow inmates observing him. Studying him. Searching for weaknesses. His weaknesses.
"Ash?" Samuel asked, his brow furrowed. He saw that Ash had paled somewhat as he looked at his audience. "Are you alright?"
Samuel reached out for Ash's arm and placed a hand on his shoulder.
Ash's first fight in prison flashed in his mind. He had been warned prior to it that there was no room for weakness.
'In here, anything and everything will be used against you.'
That whole ordeal started when someone placed their hand on his shoulder.
Ash didn't get to think about his actions. His body simply moved on its own. He turned and grabbed the wrist of Samuel's outstretched arm, squeezing it with his trembling hand. Samuel had a surprisingly thick wrist, but a gasp still escaped his lips as Ash attacked his arthritis. All the Pokemon present were put on edge and some of them took a warning step toward Ash with a shout of disapproval.
Ash's head snapped toward them; eyes wide. He could feel their stares boring holes into his chest, viewing his heart. They knew…
They knew that his heart was corrupt. That he wasn't worthy of the title of Pokemon trainer.
Samuel could feel Ash tighten his grip on his wrist, and with a glance at the Pokemon, he could see that this scene could turn ugly quickly. At the head of the group, contrary to his size, was one of Samuel's most courageous Pokemon, who glared vehemently at Ash. Extending a pair of vines from the bulb on his back, Samuel knew that Bulbasaur was preparing to strike Ash, so he intervened.
With one motion, Samuel waved his free hand through the air with a plea for everyone to relax. It was enough to bring Ash back to his senses as he finally released his hold on Samuel, much to the relief of the Pokemon.
"I'm sorry," Ash muttered before bolted back into the lab, shutting the door behind him.
Samuel was quick to pursue, leaving Daisy to diffuse the situation with the Pokemon. Thankfully, Samuel's pleas were enough to stop Ash from leaving through the front entrance of the lab. As Samuel caught up to him, Ash apologized again for his actions and for irritating all of the Pokemon.
"There's no need to apologize, Ash, I should've known better than to just put my hands on a former inmate," Samuel said with a weak chuckle. His attempt at humor to change the mood earned a raised brow from Ash. "But that's beside the point, don't mind how the Pokemon reacted. They're all a little protective of Daisy and myself."
"A little?" Ash muttered in question. It felt as though all of those Pokemon were ready to tear him limb from limb. Samuel merely smiled at him.
"They'll warm up to you, it'll just take some time," Samuel insisted. "But if you don't want to work on the ranch just yet, you're more than welcome to stay here for the time being."
Ash studied Samuel's merry expression. The older man hardly knew him, yet Samuel went out of his way to bring Ash back to Pallet Town after his release. He spent four days driving Ash across Kanto and even opened his home up to Ash. Samuel did so much for him already…Ash had to pay him back, at least a little bit.
"No…no," Ash said as he shook his head. "I guess I'm just not used to being around Pokemon anymore…but I know I need to give this a fair shot."
Samuel's smile grew as he extended a hand toward Ash.
"Excellent, it's good to have you," He said proudly as he and Ash shook hands.
The rest of that day, Ash spent under Daisy's supervision. Daisy gave him a full tour of the ranch and the several acres it covered behind the lab. It was a gorgeous landscape that changed drastically to create different environments for all of the Pokemon Samuel and Daisy watched over. There were many Pokemon that Ash was seeing for the first time, and he quickly understood why Samuel was so enthralled in his studies.
It was truly fascinating to study Pokemon in their natural habitats, watching how they interacted with each other and nature. But it wasn't all fun and games at the ranch. It was a lot of hard work helping the Pokemon maintain their surroundings.
However, throughout his tour, Ash couldn't help but look over his shoulder, catching all of the Pokemon observing him closely. They were murmuring, but he couldn't make any sense of what they were saying. It made him nervous, though he did his best to bury the unease within him.
Wednesday, March 11th
Ash tugged at his blue t-shirt that clung to his torso, its color considerably darker due to the sweat it absorbed. He raised a hand and used the back of his wrist to wipe the sweat from his brow as he looked at the work he completed.
His task for today was to cut down two dead trees in the woodlands near the edge of the ranch. Cutting them down was the easy part since the trunks were hollowed and rotten. Once it was down, Ash took charge in splitting the remains because Samuel made a request for some additional firewood. Since the woodlands were quite a distance from the lab, probably half a mile, Samuel assigned a group of Pokemon to assist Ash with carrying the firewood back. Two Tauros were tied to a wooden cart that they would fill with the firewood. Among the other Pokemon that accompanied the Tauros was the Growlithe that Ash met on Samuel's doorstep who had been one of the few Pokemon to warm up to Ash quickly.
Growlithe lived in the lab with Samuel as opposed to on the ranch. According to Daisy, Growlilthe was from Alola, and formerly part of a special team of Pokemon that were assisting some researchers track an odd phenomenon in the region. Unfortunately, that project was scrapped and Growlithe found herself 'unemployed.' From there, she was gifted to Samuel for his research, but Growlithe quickly made a home out of the lab. Daisy reported that Growlithe did an excellent job of keeping a close eye on her grandfather since Samuel was getting up there in age. Daisy was quick to point out with a laugh that Growlithe spent more time babysitting Eevee since the little rascal could be a handful that Samuel didn't always have the time to look after.
For whatever reason, Growlithe took an interest in Ash. She was the one to wake him up bright and early each morning, gently licking at his nose. And she would always stop by during his lunch hour to address him, wagging her tail as she did so. Ash would spare her a piece of his meal as a treat, earning a yip from her before she would head off in search of Eevee.
Hearing the footsteps of the Tauros approaching in the distance, Ash breathed out a sigh of relief. This was the last of the firewood, so he could return to the lab as well for dinner with everyone else. Ash spotted the Tauros as they came into the view, with some additional company to help speed up the loading process.
Bulbasaur, one of the Pokemon Samuel raised from an egg, was among the group. Ash was keenly aware of Bulbasaur because Bulbasaur was keenly aware of him. Bulbasaur was always watching him wearily, sometimes with a leer as he inspected Ash. No matter what Ash did, he could sense Bulbasaur's distrust of him, ever since their initial encounter. Ash wasn't sure how he could make an appeal to Bulbasaur, or any of the other Pokemon that matter. They all seemed to be watching him, though not as intently as Bulbasaur.
Ash was grateful for the constant work Samuel provided, most of which didn't involve interacting with the Pokemon. It was a nice distraction not only from the Pokemon but from his own thoughts. Ash didn't want to think about living on his own, or finding a job…at least not yet. So, he welcomed anything that kept him out of his own head.
Growlithe was also among the Pokemon that came with the Tauros drawn carriage, and she ran ahead of the group to approach Ash as he stood beside the remaining firewood. She yipped and jumped when she got to him, earning a faint smile as Ash looked down at her.
When the cart arrived, Ash and the Pokemon loaded it up. Bulbasaur and a Bellsprout were acting as supervisors, watching as they filled the cart. They were talking amongst themselves, and Ash felt a chill as they watched him.
"Bulba, Bulbasaur,"
"Bellsprout-sprout," The other commented.
"Saur…" Bulbasaur noted as he sent another glance at Ash who looked back.
Ash felt a gust of wind blow pass over them that would otherwise have been refreshing if not for the sudden change in dialogue.
"…I don't know, he's got this weird aura around him so I can't tell what I should expect," Bulbasaur stated as he made eye contact with Ash. "But if he ever puts his hands on Sammy again, I'll show him what for…"
Ash's momentary surprise to hearing Bulbasaur's voice was overridden by a reaction to what Bulbasaur actually said.
"Look!" Ash said sharply as he dropped the small logs that he held. His sudden shout earned everyone's attention, the Tauros included. "I already apologized to him! So, mind your own business!"
Bulbasaur didn't appreciate Ash's tone as he shot him a glare. A vine extended from his back which he sent toward Ash, hitting the back of his shoulder when Ash turned away. Ash's eyes widened briefly before he turned to look back at Bulbasaur.
"What's your problem?!" Ash hollered at him as he began to walk toward Bulbasaur. He towered over the smaller Pokemon, but as always, Bulbasaur was undeterred.
"Saur! Bulba!" Bulbasaur shouted in return as he brought out another vine, launching both of them at Ash.
Raising his forearm instinctively to block Bulbasaur's attack, Ash withstood the blow, but Bulbasaur was far from done. He wrapped Ash's raised arm in his vines and pulled it down to expose Ash's chest for a Tackle attack. Ash read Bulbasaur's movements and used his free hand to catch Bulbasaur just before he made contact and hoist him into the air. Bulbasaur cried out in surprise as Ash took full control of their engagement, using the vines around his arms to then hurl Bulbasaur down at the ground several feet away.
It took a moment for Ash's senses to relax, and by then, almost all of the Pokemon were positioned between him and Bulbasaur. They all wore glares; low growls being emitted from them as a final warning. Growlithe jumped in between the two parties in an effort to play peacekeeper, but her barks did little to calm the situation. Ash felt his stomach drop at the sight of this as Bulbasaur's vines loosened, allowing him to break free from his grip.
He did it again. He reacted without thinking. The over the top reactions he had in prison were not only unnecessary but unacceptable. He couldn't keep doing this, he wouldn't have any friends at this rate.
Despite the group of Pokemon between them, Ash still had a clear line of sight on Bulbasaur. The small green Pokemon was getting back on his feet, but he sent a stare at Ash that was different from all the prior looks Ash received from him. There was no more suspicion, no need to observe Ash. Bulbasaur confirmed everything he needed to know about Ash, and it showed in his face in the form of a frown.
Disappointment.
The same look that Pikachu gave him the last time Ash saw him…
The expression Pikachu wore just before Ash trapped him inside of his Pokeball; it was a face that Ash would never forget.
"I'm…doing everything wrong," Ash muttered and Growlithe watched him closely as Ash lowered his shoulders. He was no longer guarded and his anger cooled. The Pokemon picked up on it, but once again, Ash turned to run.
He ignored their shouts and continued on his way.
Samuel sat at the table within his kitchen, sipping a glass of lemonade as he quickly skimmed a report on his tablet. Daisy stood at the counter, putting the finishing touches on their dinner for tonight.
"Grandpa?" Daisy began, earning his attention as he set down his tablet. "How do you think Ash is doing?"
"He's a workhorse!" Samuel exclaimed as he turned to face Daisy. "I couldn't be happier to have him! He's already helped us catch up on some of those more physical jobs you don't want me doing."
"That's really nice and all, but don't you think that the Pokemon are a little…I don't know, suspicious of him?"
After hearing Daisy's question, Samuel paused and set down the glass he held.
"Usually they warm up to visitors right away," Daisy noted. "But with Ash, it's like…he's done something to them."
"Well there was the incident when he was trying to introduce himself," Samuel said softly. "I know Ash didn't take it too well, but it's not like them to hold a grudge."
"Maybe they just don't like him," Daisy suggested with a snort. "I mean, I've met people that I just can't stand."
"I know what you mean," Samuel said with a nod. "But I've seen Ash around Pokemon when he was younger. Pokemon would gravitate to him…but he's hardly the person he was all those years ago."
"I know that Pokemon can sense when your heart is conflicted," Daisy stated as she looked to her grandfather. "Do you think there's something going on with Ash that would make the Pokemon stay away from him?"
Samuel stroked at his chin, recalling the discussions he had with Ash during their trip to Pallet Town. Ash was distant for the most part, but Samuel was fine with that. Ash had an adjustment period to go through as he reentered normal life. Perhaps the Pokemon were sensing his discomfort?
Daisy furrowed her brow as she heard Growlithe barking from outside. Leaning over, she took a glance at the glass door at the back of the kitchen and she saw Growlithe on her hind legs scratching at the glass. Samuel rose from his seat to open up the door for Growlithe who continued to bark, demanding their attention.
"What's the matter, Growlithe?" Daisy asked as she kneeled down to address Growlithe.
Growlithe whined and yipped, looking out the backdoor. Daisy tilted her head, listened closely, and watching as Growlithe went up on her hind legs.
"Ash?" Daisy asked, earning a nod from Growlithe. She then ran onto the back porch and looked at them with a bark, a call for them to follow. Daisy looked to Samuel. "I think something happened to Ash."
The conversation he just had with Daisy filled Samuel with unease.
"Did he really go this way, Growlithe?" Samuel asked the small Pokemon ahead of him. She sniffed at the dirt road a bit more before she looked back and gave a nod.
He and Growlithe journeyed off of the ranch and into Pallet Town in search of Ash, depending solely on Growlithe's sense of smell.
Ash had gone a considerable distance on foot, leaving Samuel to wonder where he was headed. Perhaps to the cliffs to view the sea. Or maybe the hills near their small port. But as they traveled across Pallet Town, Samuel soon found his answer. It was a familiar street that he hadn't visited in years…the street where the Ketchum residence was located.
Growlithe barked and went into a full sprint as Ash's scent became strong. Samuel only jogged fast enough to keep the small Pokemon in view. Soon enough, Growlithe came to a stop at the open gateway to the house they were searching for. As he got closer, Samuel caught sight of Ash seated on the stairs of the front porch, his gaze downcast and cheek propped up on one of his hands.
Coming to a stop beside Growlithe, Samuel could hear her whining softly.
"Ash?" Samuel called out to him. His head snapped upward, and Samuel saw that his cheeks were tear-stained. "What's the matter?"
Ash sniffled and wiped at his eyes using the back of his wrists.
"I…I don't know…" He muttered, shaking his head.
Samuel took a gander at the house in front of him, approaching Ash slowly with Growlithe in tow.
"Did you find your way here by yourself?" Samuel asked to keep the conversation going.
"Uh, no," Ash replied. "I was just walking and…and the path just felt familiar. Before I knew it, I was back here."
"That's quite a memory you've got there," Samuel noted as he stood in front of Ash. "It takes you back, doesn't it?"
Ash gave a groan, disgruntled by the thought.
"I-I…don't," He paused, struggling to piece together a proper sentence. Finally, he shrugged his shoulders. "I thought that this was somewhere I'd want to come back to but…this isn't what I thought I'd feel."
"Well, what were you expecting?"
"I always pictured myself coming back home to tell my mom about all my adventures," Ash explained softly with a sniffle. "We'd sit over dinner and she'd listen to all my stories but…I've got nothing for her. Everything's been a disaster since that day."
Samuel took a seat beside Ash on the stairs, allowing him some time to gather his thoughts.
"I've got nothing worth telling her, not that I could tell it to her face to face," He muttered. "She's gone, but there's still this part of me that wanted to make her feel proud of me. But I know there's no chance of that…"
"Ash, it's already been proven that you're innocent," Samuel stated firmly, but Ash brushed his comment aside.
"That doesn't change what I chose to do…or what I felt in my heart," Ash admitted as he clenched his fists. "I knew there was no turning back once I agreed to help my dad. I chose to walk that path…and I know that my mom could never be proud of that decision."
Ash gave a sigh as he looked up and scratched at his neck.
"Looking back on it, I turned into someone else like…I was a completely different person. I was angry all the time, angry at everyone. I was like that in prison too," He admitted as he shrugged his shoulders. "And then when I look at myself now…I don't even know who I am anymore."
His last words came as a whisper.
Samuel gave Ash some time to sit there. Ash took a few deep breathes and ran a hand down the side of his face.
"I know it might seem difficult Ash, but now isn't a time to critique yourself over the past. You should be looking toward your new future," Samuel pointed out, causing Ash to look toward him.
"What future?" He asked dryly. "The only thing I ever cared about before was Pokemon, and even they're rejecting me now…not that you could blame them."
Samuel furrowed his brow.
"What do you mean?"
"They're all looking right through me," Ash explained. "They see me for what I am, a guy with no heart or courage, and let's face it, that's the truth. I don't want to go back and face my friends, or face Pikachu," He looked down as he said this. "I don't even want to go back and apologize to the Pokemon for hurting you."
"I've already spoken to the Pokemon about that Ash, it's alright," Samuel interjected.
"They're waiting for me to do it," Ash stated simply. "And I don't know if that'll ever happen."
Growlithe whined and licked at his lowered hand. Ash glanced at her curiously before he withdrew his hand, causing even Samuel to frown.
"Believe me, Ash, I understand what it's like to be afraid of what's ahead," Samuel began with a sigh. "I can't say I was in a similar situation to what you're going through, but there was a time where I was struggling to face what was ahead of me, so I chose to run away,"
Ash raised his head to look toward Samuel, brows raised.
"I came here to Pallet Town and…" Samuel shrugged his shoulders. "I took some time to get myself sorted out. And I can say that there's no shame in doing that. It led to a turning point in my life because I was able to dedicate myself to my research."
Samuel made a small gesture toward Ash.
"You've been given a second opportunity at life, and it would be wise for you to take all the time you need to figure out how to make the best of it," Samuel said with a faint smile. "Even though you made it through a rough patch, there's still so much more ahead of you. Now isn't the time to fret about the mistakes you made, or be afraid of what's to come. Just take things slow, one day at a time, find something you love, and stick with that for now. As you do that, you'll start to figure out who you are."
Samuel's assurance didn't earn much of a response from Ash, although it was clear that his sullen mood was less pronounced. Ash wiped at his cheeks once more and accepted Samuel's invitation to return to the ranch for dinner.
While Ash didn't hesitate to leave the property, Samuel stopped at the gate and looked back to the house that Ash spent his early childhood in. Was Pallet Town a place for Ash to find himself? Or would his past continue to haunt him while he was in his hometown…
Samuel looked toward the young man ahead of him with Growlithe trying to match his pace. Perhaps Ash needed a different environment, a place where he could simply breathe and come to terms with himself.
Friday, March 13th
1:14pm.
Ash stared at the clock in Samuel's kitchen, his gaze unfocused. Daisy was humming a delightful tune as she and Samuel finished preparing their lunches for today, not that Ash could hear it. His mind was adrift, unable to form a semblance of focus during the past two days. Since his episode on Wednesday, Samuel allowed Ash to remain in the lab and spend his time sorting out his thoughts.
It was an uneventful time for Ash, but he kept active. He worked out for several hours each day. Some light stretching in the morning followed immediately by an hour of cardio. He ran all over Pallet Town, following the dirt roads that never seemed to end. Some of the townspeople would wave to him as he passed, but Ash avoided eye contact at every opportunity. Rather, he focused on the beauty of the seaside town. How the grass danced from the constant breeze and how the sun shined brilliantly on the morning dew. It was no wonder his parents made a home here. It was the perfect place to raise a family…if everything went according to plan.
When he returned to lab from his morning run, Ash occupied the next portion of his time by doing exercises in Samuel's basement. It was no surprise why Samuel appeared to be such a sturdy man based on the weights he had down in the basement. It was everything Ash needed to perform a similar workout routine to the one he would normally do back in prison.
The only time Samuel and Daisy would really see him was when they called him up for a meal. In fact, Growlithe spent the most time with him out of anyone in the lab. She would wake him up the morning, licking at his cheeks. She would also try to join Ash when he went for a run each morning and evening, but he would also turn down the offer. Growlithe was persistent, and it made Ash wonder why she developed such an interest in him.
"Tadaa!" Daisy said sweetly as she set down a plate in front of Ash. On it was a wonderfully crafted sandwich with a side of potato chips.
Ash gave her a small thanks, but he only stared at his small meal. Even though he worked himself tirelessly in the basement this morning, he couldn't find his appetite. Samuel sent a glance at Ash, taking note of the frown on the young man's face.
"Are you alright, Ash?" Samuel inquired as he and Daisy took a seat at the table.
The mention of his name snapped Ash out of his daze as he looked toward Samuel.
"Hmm?"
"I was asking if you're alright," Samuel repeated for him.
"Ah, just thinking…that's all," Ash muttered as he shrugged his shoulders. As a gesture of thanks, he took in a mouthful of his sandwich and gave a nod toward Daisy.
"You know, I've been thinking too," Samuel began, causing Ash to look back at him. "You'll have to forgive me for making this comparison, but I was reading about regional variants of Pokemon. In regions like Alola, Pokemon take on different forms to adjust to their surroundings. But not all Pokemon can do this, and I think you might fall into the same category."
Ash creased his brow with a frown.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"It means you're trying to change to match your surroundings, and that may not be possible," Samuel pointed out. "You don't need to change to fit a lifestyle in Pallet Town, and you don't need to return to Vermilion City in order to be yourself. Who you are is up to you to decide…that's why I got you this."
Samuel reached into the pocket of his lab coat and pulled out a small slip of paper. He placed it on the table in front of Ash and made a gesture for Ash to take it. Tentatively, Ash reached out for it and after a brief examination, he saw that it was a plane ticket.
"What's this for?" Ash asked as he looked up at them. Both Daisy and Samuel wore a smile.
"It's a one-way trip to Goldenrod City in Johto. I've made the arrangements for you to be escorted to Ecruteak City and have a place to stay there," Samuel answered.
"Why would I want to go there?"
"It's a sanctuary," Samuel said simply. "A place to get away from it all. It'll give you an opportunity to take a step back and look at everything. I don't think Pallet Town is the place for you to be, and I don't think you want to go back to Vermilion City yet, correct?"
Ash exhaled deeply. Samuel definitely had a point.
"I don't know," Ash said softly. "I mean, what can I expect if I go there?"
"I understand the concern, but I wouldn't think about it. This isn't a place for you to go to create a future, this is a place for you to discover yourself," Samuel advised him as he sat back in his seat. "And become a person who can decide what their future will be."
Ash hesitated, pursing his lips as mulled over his answer.
"I've seen pictures of Ecruteak City," Daisy interjected. "It's one of the most beautiful places you'll ever see!"
"And I assure you that if at any point you want to leave, I'll make the arrangements," Samuel added, and a brief pause set in as Samuel and Daisy shared a glance.
"So, will you give it a try, Ash?" Daisy asked him.
He looked at them and their reassuring smiles. Then he felt something nudge at his leg. Leaning back, he saw that it was Growlithe, and she yipped at him, going up on her hind legs.
Under any other circumstance, Ash would've felt like he was being pressured to go to Ecruteak City. But their expressions, their obvious concern for him…they weren't forcing him to go. They were encouraging him to find something that made him happy. Their sincerity put him at ease. He felt…like he could trust their word.
And he did.
A/N
And here we go, chapter one is in the books! Many thanks to those of you who reached out to me over the last year or so, I really appreciate your patience with me. I know my content comes out at a slow pace, but I really did need that break after completing Caged Wings. It gave me time to polish the outline of this story, and I hope this meets/surpasses your expectations. This will be a slow burn on Ash's journey, especially as we work through the introductory arc. After the first story arc is over, the pacing will pick up.
I don't want to talk too much here, but I know there are at least a few things I have to cover. I think the number one is, to new readers who haven't read any of the previous works leading up to this. My profile does a better job of explaining it, but here's the gist of it. This is the true beginning of Ash's journey in this series. Caged Wings now seems more like a prequel to this story that explains the introductory arcs of My Wings. I won't say that it's a requirement that you read it, but as the author, my personal recommendation is that you read it because...why not? Lol, my shameless self-promotion aside, Caged Wings has some secrets and insights that you might find interesting, but if you choose not to read it, that's perfectly fine. I know it's not everyone's cup of tea so that's the disclaimer that I will give it.
For those of you that are familiar with Caged Wings and enjoyed how that story operated, I honestly don't know how My Wings will really compare to Caged Wings. A few things I can say about My Wings is that this story will be way more focused on Pokemon. I'm not sure if you can really consider it a journey fic because it doesn't follow the conventional path that type of story would take, not to mention this setting isn't the canon world of Pokemon. But we shall see.
I've been in the Pokemon fandom far longer than my account implies, so I know there are people that will bring up Ash's current age and behavior as not in line with his canon character. I understand that, it's part of the premise. The goal of the over-arching story in the Wings-verse is to one day reach the world of Pokemon that we recognize from the games and anime. That also means Ash isn't designed to be exactly what he was in the anime at this moment, and instead his journey is to become something similar to that person. Of course, new experiences and such could alter his development, so we'll see what Ash looks like when this segment of the story is completed. Of course, I don't want to reveal my secrets yet, but I want to help reign in some of your expectations as you start to dig into this story.
In other news, MjrGenMatt is still my beta reader! What a guy! I have no idea how he has put up with me for this long, but his work is always appreciated.
I think that is everything I have to say for now. Feedback is always welcome, and I'm happy to talk over PM if that is your preference. I hope you all enjoyed this first chapter and hopefully, we'll meet again at the next one.