Chapter 53 – Sunshine after the rain

Ashachu and Charizard slept the night in their cave, and Ashachu and Pikachu in their bed in Ash's mom's house in Pallet Town, and the storm continued to rage outside. The rain lashed, the wind howled, and lighting flashed across the dark sky. Thunder echoed through the land.

And in midst of it all, another battle was raging…

"Hyper beam!" The Dragonite blasted a bright golden beam of energy over its shoulder. The light temporarily illuminated the dark skies around him, just like the lightning. But even so, Dragonite could not, amongst the storm cloud, see its target.

"Rwwaaaah." Dragonite gritted its teeth and continued journey through the storm, always conscious of the terror that lay somewhere behind it. The dragon type knew he had to get somewhere safe…But where was safe.

CRASH…

It wasn't entirely clear to Dragonite what had happened at first. Something had struck him in his right wing. That much was clear from the pain exploding in that part of his body. Dragonite gritted his teeth, swallowed the pain, and continued to beat his injured wing.

For, as much as it cost him to do so, he knew that if he ever stopped beating his wings, he would die… He wondered if his wing had been broken or simply sprained. It seemed to be sticking out at an odd angle, and he had to beat it even faster to keep airborne.

"Rwaahhaaa…" He cried out into the night again. There was another clap of thunder, but no reply.

There was nothing for. He had to find somewhere safe to land. He started the descent through the clouds. They were so thick that he couldn't see the ground below him. He had no idea how high he was or where he was. What would he find when the clouds broke, land or sea?

As he descended further the rain became heavier, the droplet of water pelting and shattering over his scales. He raised a claw to his face to clear the water from his eyes – and that was when it happened.

Something or someone grabbed him from behind. A strong pair of claws, and sharp talons, sinking into his shoulders. He cried out and thrashed with his tail, trying to throw the, whatever it was off him.

And then he felt something hot and sharp pierce his scales, in his side just above his right thigh. "Rwaahhhhhh."

The world had become a spinning spiral of grey and red. He was falling, the familiar swooping feeling in his stomach still noticeable over the pain. In the rain he couldn't tell which way was up or down.

And then the clouds parted around him, and he could see, far below him, tiny pinpricks of light and the outlines of building. A town – a human town. It had to be. With a great deal of effort, he managed to orient himself, beating his wings fast to slow his fall.

He glanced down and saw the wound in his side… He had to get to safety fast. Even if it meant sheltering amongst the humans…

[Pokémon]

Pallet town, Kanto region…the morning after…

"Ash honey. Breakfast… Honestly, are you ever going to get up! Pikachu, get him up for me!"

"Pika CHUUUUU!"

Ash's first morning back in Pallet Town since returning from Galar after the events with Shadow and Team Rocket, and it had begun in the way he had become all too familiar with. His mother calling for him, again and again, and finally with Pikachu giving him a wake-up shock.

He opened his eyes to find that he was lying, half out of bed, with his legs still under the covers. His yellow friend and mate standing on the edge of the bed, looking down with a smug little smirk on his face.

"What was that for Pikachu!"

Pikachu folded his arms and turned his nose up at him, in a sort of mock telling off. "Well, your mom's been calling you for long enough! Honestly Ash, you're lazier than Charizard. Some of the time."

"Would you wake Charizard up with a thunderbolt," Ash muttered. "I am you."

"C'mon, breakfast, I'm hungry." Pikachu jumped off the bed and onto the floor, making sure to land on Ash's face as he did so.

"Pikachu."

"Hurry up and get dressed. Or I'll give you a thunderbolt."

Ash sighed before swinging his legs of the bed and clambering to his feet. He put a hand on the windowsill to stop himself falling over, still dizzy and twitching from the electric shock, as well as lying upside down. "You wait buddy, I'm going to get you for this!"

He made it downstairs and into the kitchen five minutes later, Pikachu on his shoulder, where he found his mom, Delia, and Zacian already there. The smell of frying bacon and sugar greeted them as they entered making Ash's stomach rumble and Pikachu sniff the air hopefully.

"Morning honey," his mom said to him cheerily from the table. "Morning Pikachu. You two, sleep well."

"I was," Ash grumbled. "Hey what's going on?"

"Pika," squeaked Pikachu happily, raising his paw.

He noticed Zacian, sitting in the floor staring intently at the kitchen stove. There was large frypan sitting in the middle, a sizzling sound and that sweet smell coming from it. At first Ash wondered whether Zacian might have been watching expectedly like Oshawott.

Then he noticed the spatula moving all by itself from the sink to the pan, as if lifted by an invisible hand. Squinting he noticed the pink aura surrounding it. "Zacian… Are you?"

"Zacian made us breakfast," said Delia, beaming at the wolf like Pokémon. "She's been up for hours getting things ready. Isn't that kind of her. You've got a great new Pokémon here?"

"Zac." Zacian barked a happy bark turning her head to beam at Delia, his jaw wide in an open maw smile.

Ash sighed and rubbed his eyes. "Where's Mimey?"

Mimey, of course, was Delia's Mr. Mime, a former circus Pokémon she had befriended after she had let it into her house thinking it was Ash in a Mr. chores in the Ketchum Household and was a companion to Delia when her son was away adventuring.

"He's outside watering the flowers," Delia replied. "Now why don't you be helpful and get the plates and the knives and forks out. Pikachu, you take a seat."

"Pika Pika." Pikachu sprung from Ash's shoulder and landed on the table, where Delia gave him a scratch behind the ear.

Ash sighed, but did as he was told, bustling over to the cupboards getting out fives plates and placing them on the table.

"While you're up, you should make some coffee as well," added Delia smiling.

Ash sighed again, resisting the urge to roll his eyes.

"Oh, and Ash, where is Ashachu by the way. You haven't let him out since you've been home. He's not in trouble with you again, is he dear?"

"Huh." It took a moment for Ash's mind to process the question, preoccupied as he was with spooning the coffee granules into the cafetiere, and filling the kettle with water from the skin. He turned to look at Delia and replied quickly, "Oh Ashachu. No, he just wanted to spend the night at the ranch."

Delia raised her eyebrows. "Oh!"

"Ashachu has a boyfriend now."

Delia smiled widely and said, "Aww that's wonderful. Let me guess. That cute Riolu, Hunter. The one who belonged to your friend."

"Uhh no," Ash replied. "No, it's not. It's one of my Pokémon?"

"I see. Which Pokémon is it?"

"Charizard."

Ash had to bite his lip to prevent himself smirking at the expression of surprise on his mom's face upon hearing this. Whichever Pokémon she had been expecting, it was clearly not Charizard.

"Oh really. That's…unexpected."

Pikachu put his paws over maw to stifle a laugh. He and Ash both knew she was thinking he same thing. How and earth did Ashachu and Charizard get it on together, given the size difference.

Delia's surprised look turned slowly to one of concern. She frowned at Ash and asked, "are you sure that's. You know, safe. I mean, you know Ash, Charizard didn't used to ignore everything you said to him."

Ash groaned feeling a blush on his cheeks. Why did she have to remind him of that? "I know mom. It's fine. I trust Charizard."

"And there was that time at the party. Where he."

"Mom you don't need to remind me! I remember. Charizard's one of my oldest Pokémon and one of my closest friends. I trust him with my life, and I know he'd take good care of Ashachu."

Delia sighed. "Alright Ash. You know your Pokémon better than I do. I just want to make sure you're taking care of little Ashachu."

Ash felt a sense of relief. He really didn't want to be having THAT sort of an argument with his mom. "I know mom. I always will."

Pikachu nodded in agreement. "Pika Pikachu."

"You should bring Ashachu around later today. Maybe for dinner," Delia added. "I really want to see him again."

"Zac Zacian." Zacian barked, gesturing with her head to the pan to let them know that breakfast was ready.

Ash poured the boiling water from the kettle into the cafetiere and brought it over to the table.

"Ah thank-you Zacian," said Delia as the pan floated over to the table. "I'll go find Mimey."

"When did you learn to cook," Ash muttered to Zacian as soon as his mom was out the room.

Zacian shrugged as she took her place beside Ash. "Meh. When you've been around as long as I can, you pick things up. I mean if you humans can do it, then a legendary Pokémon should be able to do it better right?"

"I'll ignore that…" Ash started loading his plate with the contents of the pan. Bacon, sausage, and pancakes.

No sooner had he started putting the butter and syrup on his pancakes, than Pikachu crawled across the table to his plate, buried his face in the pancakes and started chowing down, much to Ash's chagrin.

"Hey. Pikachu…Get your own."

Pikachu ignored him, continuing to stuff his face…

"So, will you be staying here long dear," Delia asked Ash once she and Mimey had returned from outside, and they were all tucking into breakfast.

Ash hadn't really considered how long he was going to spend at home. The experience with Shadow and Team Rocket in Galar had shaken him, and he had just wanted to come home. And he knew his Pokémon, especially Ashachu and Charizard would need time to recuperate.

And then there were the eggs; Charizard's and Pikachu's. Pallet Town would be a safe place for the new Pichu and Charmander to be born. But, at the same time, he was still raring to get back into the game, so to speak. To go back to Galar and get the rest of his badges. Or…there was still Lusamine's proposal.

"I don't know," he said truthfully. "It really depends on what Pikachu and the rest of my Pokémon want to do. I haven't spoken to them about it yet?"

"I see. Well, it's always nice to have you home Ash. I miss having you round here when you're away."

"Yeah…I." Ash didn't really have anything to say to that. He knew his mom missed him when he was away and knew that he probably didn't return home as often as he should. He grinned sheepishly, feeling a little twinge of guilt in his chest.

"Do you have any plans for today?"

"Ummm I."

"Well, if you don't, you might like to help me in the garden?"

"Pikachu, Zacian and I were going to go look for Pokémon," Ash said hurriedly. The last thing he wanted to do while recuperating was help his mom and Mimey do gardening all day. Anything but that! Even fighting Team Rocket again would be preferable to that! "Really strong ones in the mountains. Right buddy."

"Pi." Pikachu, who had finished most of the contents of Ash's plate as well as his own and was now slumped on the table with his eyes closed, looked up. "Oh. Are we going somewhere?"

Delia raised an eyebrow suspiciously. "Into the mountains. How are you going to get there?"

"Charizard can take us. I want to catch some new strong Pokémon to help strengthen the team, you know! For the league?"

"Okay then," said Delia with a sigh. "Just be careful okay."

"I will mom…"

[Pokémon]

About half an hour later…

"You know when I agreed to join you," Zacian grumbled once they had finished breakfast, and Ash had hurried her and Pikachu out the door. "You didn't tell me you were going to be dragging me into some Arceus forsaken mountains to look for Pokémon."

Ash glanced over his shoulder, back at the house as they exited the front gate and walked onto the road. Once sure his mom wasn't watching, he replied, "We're not going into the mountains. I just…Wanted to get away from mom."

"Pika." Pikachu groaned and facepalmed…or face pawed more accurately, slapping his right paw to his forehead.

Zacian gave him a disapproving look. "Don't tell me you made that whole, I want a new Pokémon story up, just to get out of doing housework."

"You don't know my mom," Ash retorted. "If I spend the day doing work for her, she'll work me so hard I'll be too wiped out to do any Pokémon training."

"Such a gem of son you are!"

"Pikachu."

Ash ignored both comments. "I have been thinking of catching new Pokémon. Someone strong who can bring more power to the team! You know, to help us in the league."

"You haven't won enough badges to enter the league yet, Pikapi," Pikachu muttered, but Ash ignored him.

"You mean like a secret weapon," said Zacian.

Ash grinned at her. "Exactly! When I first battled Cameron at the league, he brought out this really powerful Hydreigon. I wasn't expecting it at all. It was so strong, it took down three of my Pokémon, including Oshawott. So, this year, I'm going to train a Pokémon specially to battle at the league!"

"Pika." said Pikachu.

"What type of Pokémon," asked Zacian.

"Something strong. Maybe a dragon type. Or a fire type. Or… hey check this out."

Just beyond Ash's house and the damage from the storm was becoming clear. The road ahead was strewn with leaves and other objects blown they're by the winds, and there were several downed trees blocking their path.

"Storm did a bit of damage," Pikachu commented as he looked around curiously.

Ash bit his lip. "I hope all the Pokémon are okay."

Zacian on the other paw, scoffed. "You call this storm damage."

"Why, you've seen worse," Pikachu asked her, curiously.

Zacian shrugged. "You could stay that!"

[Pokémon]

Meanwhile, back on Oak's ranch…

"Pi…Pi…Pi…hee-hee!"

After the rain had come the sun. Charizard was taking the opportunity to stretch out on his belly and let it warm the scales on his back and wings and to play with Ashachu. The game was simple. Ashachu scurried back and forth, changing direction every time Charizard placed his claw in his path, while the fire type watched over him.

Ashachu's tail stood up tall in the air, the end of it tickling Charizard's nose as he scurried by. Neither were entirely sure how this game had started, but now it seemed too fun to stop. Ashachu seemed to love running, and Charizard got a thrill out of watching him do so.

"Hehehe Pika."

Ashachu giggled every time he felt the tip of his nose touch Charizard's scaly claw. He wasn't sure why, there was just something about the feel of the firm warm scale against the soft flesh of his tiny black nose that just, tickled him. Sending a shiver through in muzzle and into his spine.

He put on a burst of speed, scurrying as fast as his little paws would carry him, without breaking into a run. How far could he get before Charizard could block his path with his paw. But his lizard boyfriend had other ideas. Ashachu felt his back paws connect with something solid, sending him to the ground.

"Huh…Hey."

"Zar." Charizard giggled as the sight of Ashachu lying flat on his belly. He lowered his head and nudged the mouse's side with his nose.

Ashachu let out a little squeal at feeling of the scales brushing his fur and Charizard's hot breath on his skin. "Chari. No fair. This is against the rules…ahhh."

In one fluid push, Charizard rolled Ashachu onto his back. He then pressed his nose into Ashachu's chest to stop him moving. Ashachu raised his head, as much as he could, and pouted. "That's not the rules."

"I didn't think this game had rules," Charizard replied. He nuzzled Ashachu's chest, making him giggled again.

"Hehe. Maybe we should have some."

Charizard raised his head slightly. "Okay. How about whenever you fall over, I get to kiss you."

Ashachu suddenly felt Charizard's wet tongue caress his small yellow body, starting at just above his waste…just low enough to make his groin tingle without touching his sheath… up his stomach and chest, along his chin finally reaching his lips.

He slowly opened his maw to allow Charizard's tongue to enter – or as much of it to enter as was possible, which was only the tip, and even then, it couldn't get very far inside. This had the unfortunate effect of causing Ashachu's maw to fill with Charizard saliva, which he was forced to swallow, before extending his own tongue so that it pressed against the end of Charizard's…

"Do you two mind," said a gruff voice.

To Ashachu's dismay, Charizard broke the kiss, and raised his head to see who had spoken. Likewise, Ashachu flipped himself over and pushed himself up, groaning when he saw who it was.

"What do you want, Geyser?"

The Dewott was standing a couple of steps away from them, his arms folded and a scowl on his face. He was not alone. Sniveon was beside him, a bright smile on her muzzle. She raised a paw and said cheerily, "Morning Ashy. Morning Char."

"Is he kissing you or trying to eat you?" Asked Geyser gruffly, with a click of his tongue.

Charizard's eyes narrowed. "We have different shaped maws. What's it to you if it's a bit awkward when we kiss."

"No one asked you to be here," growled Ashachu.

"Whatever," said Geyser.

"We came to find you because there's a new Pokémon on the ranch," said Flareon.

Ashachu looked at her curiously. "A new Pokémon."

"Where'd they come from," Charizard asked.

"Nobody's sure. We found him unconscious by the lake. My mom brought him into the den," replied Sniveon.

"You know you're covered in Charizard saliva," commented Geyser, his eyes trailing over Ashachu's body.

Ashachu ignored him. "What sort of Pokémon is he."

"A Flygon."

Charizard and Ashachu exchanged looks. "But there aren't wild Flygon around here are there," Ashachu said.

"Is he missing his trainer," Charizard suggested.

Sniveon shrugged. "No idea. Still unconscious."

"Well, let's go check it out," said Ashachu, pushing himself up onto his paws…