Disclaimer: Me no own pokemon. Destiny, Charlotte, new pokes, etcetera, belong to me though. Steal and die.

Notes: <> for telepathy, ** for thoughts, and italics for pokemon talking in pokespeech that is translated into English for your convenience.

Chapter 4: Things better left unsaid

“It is done.” Lance said, smiling as she landed in the valley. “I sealed off all his memories of his old life that he didn’t erase himself.”

“That’s good. It spares him all of that unnecessary suffering.” Charlotte replied from where she was fixing hamburgers for her pokemon.

“Looks like he and Sabrina are developing a healthy relationship.”

“Well, that’s great.” Charlotte smiled. “She’ll be a good influence.”

Lance nodded and began grooming her Charizard.

“You know, Ash is still laboring under the perception that you’re a boy.”

“So?”

“Good point. It probably wouldn’t change anything anyways.” Charlotte admitted as she passed out hamburgers to the waiting pokemon.

Ash and Sabrina were toasting marshmallows over an open fire, while their pokemon sat by. It had been two days later, and nothing new had come up. Sabrina was beginning to doubt that this boy was really Ash Ketchum. But he was polite, kind, and cute…

Not that she was developing a crush on him, mind you. But she felt an urge to protect and nurture him. The poor kid had been so traumatized when he had met Misty… odd, really, but maybe it was Ash.

…Without his memories, though, and with a more subdued personality.

How in the world was that possible? Well, she didn’t know, but it could be worse, so she left him alone while she pondered.

“’Nee-chan?”

“What is it?” Sabrina asked, looking up.

“Your marshmallow’s on fire… and so is the stick.”

Sabrina stared and quickly dropped the flaming torch into the campfire.

“Are you ok?”

As those innocent brown eyes met hers, Sabrina smiled. It didn’t matter if this ‘Red’ was Ash or not, there would always be a special place in her heart for him. Her own, almost as if it was destined, ‘younger brother’.

“Yes, Ash, I’m fine.” Sabrina said, giving him a brief hug. Ash nodded and clambered off her lap, smiling, with a handful of marshmallows.

“All right, onee-chan.”

They slept well that night, full of sugary puffs and warmly snuggled in their sleeping bags.

The next morning, they were once again walking along the Route, when Team Rocket showed up.

“Hand over your pokemon now!”

“Never!” Ash said angrily. “Eevee! Sand-Attack!”

Eevee nodded and once again kicked up a humongous wall of sand. She looked perky and alert, which was odd since it was seven in the morning. Well, amazing what sugar-loaded caffeine could accomplish.

“Not so fast! Wheezing, use Sludge!”

“Reflect!” Ash cried, knowing it would not last very long, but counting on Eevee to hold off the assault until Sabrina took the initiative.

“Kadabra, Psywave!”

Well, there went the Wheezing with a bang…

“Arbok, go!” Jessie hissed, annoyed. Why had the boss assigned them to this? They had been enjoying a stream of success after the brat had vanished, but she had a sinking suspicion that it was ending right about now.

Kadabra twirled his spoons, before two more psychic blasts flattened the snake. A writhing fear began to twist in Jessie’s guts at this.

“Um, Jessie? Maybe we should retreat?” James said.

‘Never! Lickitung, use Lick now!”

But then, Kadabra had immediately teleported away from the impeding danger, as well as knocking James out with a Mega Punch.

Meanwhile, Eevee had scratched up Meowth rather well, so Jessie decided to retreat. She pulled a vial of potentially caustic material out and threw it onto the ground, causing a chemical reaction with a bang and flash of smoke. The next thing Ash and Sabrina knew, both crooks were gone. But they hadn’t been able to steal any of their pokemon.

“Well, I’m glad they’re gone now.” Ash said, scowling.

“Team Rocket is certainly annoying…” Sabrina conceded, “Not that there was any evidence to the contrary.”

“Uh-huh.” Ash said, as he bit into a candy bar.

“You feeling okay, Red?”

“Hai, Sabrina.” Red said, smiling. “Just a little puckish.”

“Well, get some more food into you, we can’t have you fainting on your journey, can we?”

Ash grinned and took another bite of chocolate-coated caramel and nuts. “Nope!”

A few steps later, a trainer challenged them.

“I accept.” Ash said, smiling.

The other trainer, who was perhaps fifteen, laughed arrogantly. “You’re just a kid, but hey, this’ll be so easy. Vaporeon, go!”

Eevee began spitting and hissing, so Ash nodded and let her fight.

Eevee immediately glowed and used Thunder.

“WHAT?! How can an Eevee learn thunder?!” The boy demanded.

“With proper training, anything is possible.” Ash said, smiling. He himself didn’t know the answer, but it probably had something to do with his powers.

Eevee purred happily.

Ash was right, since he was the lightning guardian, he could grant electrical abilities to his chosen pokemon. There were a few other types that he controlled as well. Which wasn’t a bad thing.

“Nice.” Sabrina said approvingly.

“Thanks, Sabrina nee-chan.” Ash said, smiling.

Sabrina gave him a hug as the trainer stomped on and tossed Ash half his money.

It was a few days later when they reached Vermillion City. Sabrina was starting to doubt if ‘Ash’ would ever regain ‘his’ memories, but did not particularly care much about this now. Misty was of a different opinion though.

“Ne, Sabrina?”

“What is it, Ash?” Sabrina asked. She was juggling five spoons with her powers, while sitting on a flat rock near the side of the Route.

“Do you think Misty likes me?”

‘Why the sudden question?” Sabrina queried, a bit intrigued by the discussion.

“Well… I just wanted to know. It almost seems like she wants me to turn into someone else, but…”

Sabrina pulled Ash into a hug. “Don’t you worry, Red. I’ll protect you.”

“Really?”

“Promise.” Sabrina said. “Let’s pinky swear.”

The two hooked pinkies and shook, before Ash hopped off to purchase some chocolate ice cream from a vendor.

Sabrina sighed as a faint frown creased her features. * Even I am not sure… *

< How have you been, Red? >

Ash’s head snapped up. < Aniki! >

< Yes, it’s me. > Lance sent. < Are you staying out of trouble? >

< Hai! What about you n’ aneki? >

< Well, yesterday a Seaking bet her that she couldn’t swim the lake. Her pride didn’t let her back down, and she almost drowned when she began hyperventilating in the middle. Luckily, Mantine saved her. >

< Phew. > Ash said. < Aneki-chan should have been more careful. >

< Well, you know how Charlotte is. >

< Yep. > Ash grinned. < I’m fine, are you? >

< Sure, I’m spending a lot of time with the baby dragons. It’s fun. And how is your journey? >

< Great! Sabrina’s really nice! >

< I’m glad to hear that. >

< And she keeps all the bullies away. >

Lance nodded approvingly, although Ash was not there to witness it. < That’s wonderful. So it’s like having a sibling with you? >

< I wish you and aneki could come with me though. > Ash said a bit morosely. < Oh well. I should be content with what I have. >

Lance sent Ash a mental hug, and then said her goodbyes. Ash quickly finished his ice cream and went back to find Sabrina.

Sabrina and Haunter were making goofy faces in the water fountain. Ash giggled. Sabrina did seem like a kid a lot of the time. Maybe she was making up for her missed childhood. Maybe…

“Sabrina-chan?”

“Yes, Ash?” Sabrina asked, as Haunter pulled a truly outrageous face. Its visage was twisted, one eye was backwards, the tongue was hanging out, and one ear was upside down.

Ash grinned. “Cool face, Haunter. I was just wondering if we could drop by the gym?”

“Of course, Ash. Let’s go.”

“Yay!”

End Chapter!

^_^ well, I liked it. Drop a review and tell me how it is.

Started and completed 3/12/03