Here’s part 3! Shadow glomps those of you that did review and threatens to shoot those who didn’t.

Disclaimer: I do not own pokemon, as much as I would like to. *Sighs sadly. * It belongs to Nintendo, Game Freak, 4Kids, Shogakukan comics, etc.

Timeline: A few days after part 2

Note: As always, ** indicates thoughts, <> indicates telepathy, and italics indicates translated poke speech.

Note: Ash only retains the ability to understand pokemon after his memories are wiped. Everything else is sealed at the moment.

Part 3: Of flowers, food, and futures

Ash and Sunny were busy exploring the woods around Pallet. They were looking for wildflowers, so they could make daisy chains. Ash didn’t tell Gary, because firstly he didn’t like him, and secondly, making daisy chains was something that girls were supposed to do, not boys. After much searching, they found a meadow full of sweet, fragrant flowers. Flowers of every hue and shape possible were dotted all over the pristine landscape.

“Wow…” Ash said in awe. It felt like he had stumbled into a shrine. There was an aura of almost… royalty here, but it also gave off a peaceful, happy feeling.

This is so pretty… Sunny echoed. It’s like a paradise or something. I wonder why it’s out here?

“I wonder how we got here? I didn’t even know this place existed!” Ash said. His eyes were wide as he stared. * And I thought mom had a large garden! This is incredible! I bet she would love to see this… I’ve got to show here someday! *

Sunny shrugged and bent down to sniff a pretty purple flower. Mmm… smells like lavender! She giggled happily and took a bite. It actually didn’t taste too bad. Sort of like sweet candy, or something of that sort.

Ash giggled. “Well, come on!” They sat down and began making daisy wreaths. Pretty soon, Ash had a necklace of wildflowers and a bracelet on his left arm, while Sunny was festooned with a wreath and headdress of flowers, as well as a trailing skirt made out of grass.

“Hey! You look like the hula dancers I saw on T.V!” Ash said. He began to mimic the flowing movements of the dancers, but fell over onto his back. Apparently he was new to Hula dancing…

Sunny laughed. He looked so funny! She giggled and began to mimic his funny movements. They spent several hours dancing and falling over, laughing all the time. Their reverie was interrupted when Ash glanced down at his watch. He gasped. His mom would be looking for him by now!

“It’s almost lunchtime! I have to go home now!” Ash said. Sunny followed him all the way back to his house. Delilah was surprised when she saw Ash and a Jolteon in her garden. At least Ash had come home. She had been afraid that he had gotten hurt, since he had showed up ten minutes later than usual. Luckily, Ash looked fine. Delilah sighed in relief. * He must have been so busy playing that he forgot about the time. That happens. *

“Hey mom, is lunch ready?” Ash asked. His stomach rumbled loudly. Ash turned pink around the ears and looked at his mom hopefully.

“Almost, dear! Do you want peanut butter and jelly sandwiches or grilled cheese?” Delilah was relieved that he was okay.

“Both!” Ash said cheerfully. He began to do little cartwheels in the garden.

“Okay, Ash, but before you come in to eat, could you water the daffodils for me? And remember to wash your hands before you eat lunch, and your face too. I don’t want to see a speck of dirt on you.”

“Okay, mom.” Ash said, as he picked up the watering can and began to shower the flowers. After he was finished, he and Sunny lay down on the grass and soaked in sunlight quietly.

Delilah smiled as she popped the toasted cheese sandwiches into the oven. Then, she took the jar of peanut butter and some grape jelly out of the fridge to start making the peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Ash had a large appetite, but it was healthy for him, so she didn’t complain. After all, he was so energetic that he quickly burned off the calories he consumed anyways.

About fifteen minutes later, Delilah called them in for lunch.

“This is great, mom!” Ash said as he and Sunny split some grilled cheese sandwiches. After five sandwiches though, they were both full, so they went up to Ash’s room to play a quiet game.

Delilah idly wondered how Ash had gotten a jolteon, but maybe Professor Oak had given it to him, so she didn’t comment on it. After all, it seemed like a well-behaved, nice pokemon. And it wouldn’t hurt Ash to have some contact with real pokemon; instead of simply watching them battle on T.V. She hoped that he would become a caring trainer when he finally left on his journey.

Ash and Sunny sat on the floor of his room and played Monopoly, followed by two games of gin rummy and a game of seven eleven.

I win! Sunny said, showing Ash her cards. Seven, Seven, Seven, and Jack!

“You do! I only have Three Jacks and a two.” Ash said. “Here’s your prize!” He handed Sunny a small package. Sunny looked confused, so Ash unwrapped it for her. Inside was a small white scarf made out of woolen cloth, embroidered all over with a flowery pattern.

It’s so beautiful. How did you get this? Sunny asked, amazed, as Ash wrapped it around her shoulders.

“I had mom buy it for me when she went to Viridian yesterday. She said that she got a job there.” Ash said.

That was nice of her. Sunny said. She pricked up her ears when she heard Delilah leaving for the afternoon shift of her job, but other than that, there were no other interruptions.

Soon, Ash fell asleep. Sunny stretched her legs and yawned, before tucking him in. Then, her eyes glowed pink for a minute and Mew appeared. Sunny almost jumped, but refrained herself from doing so.

< You’re doing a good job. > Mew said. < Do you have anything to report? >

< Well, Delilah has a job at the pokemon center in Viridian now. > Sunny said. < Is that important? >

< Yes. Mewtwo will be pleased. > Mew said. She patted Sunny on the head. < Take good care of him! >

< I will. > Sunny reassured Mew. < After all, I was his friend. >

< I know. You’re a good guardian. Just keep him safe and be his friend again. That should be easy to do. > Mew said.

< That’s is so easy! He’s still a nice person, even though he’s lost his memories and can’t remember us anymore. >

< Well, I have to go now. > Mew said. < Oh! And one more thing, if Mewtwo deems it fitting, you will be able to come back to Ash again after your shift is over. So make sure you do a good job! >

< Really? > Sunny’s tail wagged excitedly.

< That’s a promise. > Mew said. < Bye! > She flew out the window. Sunny waved with a paw, before jumping on Ash’s bed next to him. Soon, she was asleep also. The afternoon sun shone warmly on the two resting shapes on the bed.

Ash yawned as he woke up. He peered at his watch. Mom wouldn’t be back for a few hours, since she didn’t get home until seven-thirty. Ash decided to go downstairs and get a snack. Sunny was still dozing on the bed, so Ash didn’t bother her. When he got downstairs, he looked in the cookie jar and was very sad when he found it empty.

“I guess I’ll just have to bake cookies myself!” Ash said. He found some basic ingredients in the kitchen, and pulled out a large mixing bowl.

“Let’s see, first I need flour…” Ash said. He noticed his mom’s recipe book lying on the counter, so he flipped over to the dessert selection. It was amazing how many kinds of cookies there were!

“I think I’ll try the chocolate-vanilla cookies. It sounds yummy.” Ash said. He read the directions and began mixing. Soon, Sunny woke up with the smell of something baking in her nostrils.

What are you making? Sunny asked Ash.

“Cookies! They’re really good.” Ash said. “After ten more minutes, they’ll be done.”

Cookies? Sunny asked puzzled.

“You eat them.” Ash said, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

I see. I guess I will try one then, after you are done.

Soon, the timer rang. Ash let the cookies sit for a few more minutes, before reaching in and taking the tray out. But he forgot to put on the pink-and-blue striped oven mitts…

“Ow! Ow! Ow!” Ash said, hopping around, holding his hand, which was starting to turn red. “Ow!”

Sunny rushed over. What happened? Are you okay?

“I think I got burned…” Ash said. Sunny hopped over and began licking his paw – hand, and soon, the red swelling had gone down. Ash sighed in relief.

“Thanks Sunny. Mom would get mad if she found out that I wasn’t using gloves, even if I did forget.” Ash checked all the kitchen drawers, before coming out with a pair of thick, cottony gloves with a flower pattern on them. This time, when he took out the tray, he did not get burned.

“I think they’re cool enough now.” Ash said. “So, do you want to try one?”

Sunny smiled. The first cookie was a bit hot, but it was still very sweet and delicious. The second and third cookies were wonderful. But after six cookies, Sunny was starting to feel full.

They’re great, Ash! Is this really your first time cooking?

Ash flushed pink. “Well, actually, no. I helped mom in the kitchen twice. The first time we were making bread, and the second time was a pie. But I thought cookies shouldn’t be too hard.”

When Delilah finally returned, she found Ash and Sunny watching T.V. It was such a cute scene. She got all misty-eyed for a second, before she recovered.

“I’m home, Ash!” She called.

Ash jumped up. “Hi mom! Guess what happened today? I learned how to bake cookies! I didn’t burn any of them!”

“That’s great, honey.” Delilah said, hugging him. “So, have you lost your appetite, or do you still want dinner?”

“Of course I want dinner!” Ash said. Sunny nodded her head in affirmation, that she did want a meal too.

“Well in that case, how about some roast rotisserie chicken, with corn bread and some cooked baby carrots?”

“That sounds great!” Ash said, licking his lips in anticipation.

Delilah smiled as she headed into the kitchen. * That’s my son, the walking stomach. *

Ash and Sunny snapped their attention back to the T.V. screen. Right now, a Haunter and an Onix were battling.

“Haunter, Glare!” Said an old lady dressed in dark purple and carrying a walking cane. She had gray hair and was very short, but she still managed to look powerful. Her opponent was a teenage kid with spiky red hair, dressed in a t-shirt and jeans.

“Onix, dive underground to evade it!”

“It’s no use!” Haunter phased into the ground after Onix. A few minutes later, Onix crashed into the ceiling, surrounded by an aura of blue light.

“Haunter’s Psychic takes care of that rock pokemon easily enough.” The old lady said in a gravelly voice. “You’ll need more than luck to beat Agatha of the Elite four!”

The trainer groaned and sadly left.

“And so far, none have managed to get past Agatha of the Elite Four.” The announcer said into his microphone. Ash was staring at the screen with big, shimmery eyes.

“That’s so cool!” Ash said with much enthusiasm.

I agree. She must be a very powerful trainer. Sunny said. Her nose twitched as the smell of roasting chicken filled the air.

“I’m getting hungry just smelling the chicken.” Ash said. “Let’s go outside and play tag!”

Why not? Sunny said, following him outside. They had lots of fun tumbling among the tall grass in the backyard, trying to catch each other and failing miserably. Finally, they both collapsed on the ground, giggling.

“Hey! The stars are coming out!” Ash said, looking up.

Sunny sat next to him, and they quietly stared at the stars for a little while until Delilah told them to come inside and eat dinner.

End Part 3!

So, did ya love it? Hate it? Tell me! If you didn’t like it, at least give me some constructive criticism! Oh yeah, and flames will be used to flame-broil those of you who did not review!

Completed 9/6/02