Another chapter! Started 3/20/04

I hope this work lives nicely…

Disclaimer: I don’t own pokemon that belongs to Nintendo and Shogakukan Comics! This is non-profit, non-copyright infringing fanwork, and since I wrote it its mine, all mine!

Notes: <> for telepathy, ** for thoughts, italics for poke speech.

Chapter 4

Delia received the shocking news a few days later. The flight bringing Juniper home had been hijacked, and the terrorists were now negotiating with the League for the release of the hostages.

Unfortunately, word filtered down that most had already been killed. Fearful and yet unable to resist her morbid musings, Delia hastened to the nearest government branch, where the news was given.

“I’m sorry ma’am, he and his pokemon were heroes,” the old lady said sympathetically, peering through her wire-rimmed spectacles at the distraught mother. “But there is nothing we can do for you now.”

She hadn’t broken down in the office, that would have been too shameful, but at home she just let loose.

Why…

Why did it have to be her husband sacrificed for the greater good?

Damn the government’s foreign policy! If it hadn’t been for them he might still be alive!

If only…

If only’s don’t change anything!

Delia watched Ash sleep fitfully, having cried himself to bed. Poor child… but she couldn’t console him.

She couldn’t even face the fact herself!

How could she deal with his grief on top of her own?

The pokemon slept in his room for many nights after that to protect him from the nightmares.

It wasn’t pleasant, having Future Sight.

It wasn’t nice at all.

Having the power to see things hurt!

“Why him?” Ash asked, sitting on the steps with the crowd. “What did he do to deserve death?”

That is not for us to say. Beedrill said wisely, his wings settling down.

Fate is not for us mere pokemon to control. Vulpix added.

Dewgong nodded, from her position in the artificial pond. There is much we have no hand in.

“But if I could see it, why couldn’t I stop it?” Ash wondered. * At least mom would be happy… *

Poor mom…

< That just isn’t how things work. >

Ash turned to look at Haunter, bobbing up and down in the air. Why not?

< Psy-type abilities are divided into many types, telepathy, teleportation, healing, telekinesis, empathy, future sight, channeling and others… > Haunter sighed. < Just having one doesn’t mean you have the others, and future sight can’t change a thing. >

So I see things without changing them?

< Yes. >

“Life’s not very fair, is it?”
That, young one; is a cardinal truth. Dewgong said. It’s pointless to fight what you have no control of.

“…?”

You couldn’t have stopped sixteen armed men by yourself, could you? Even your father couldn’t.

“No…”

Then don’t beat yourself over the head, as it’s your fault in no way. Just because you see something does not mean you cause it. It’s like remembering things. Does remembering your uncle Brad’s death mean you caused it?

“Of course not!”

Then this is the same way.

< You are very wise, Dewgong. > Haunter said, admiration ringing in the nuances of his voice.

Dewgong shrugged. I am an old one. I have seen much and suffered much, so I know.

< Life’s just a chain, isn’t it? >

That it is, but he’s finding out quicker than most.

< No, that’s where you are wrong. Most know early, but choose to blind themselves to truth, preferring an illusion. >

Why not, if it keeps the pain away?

< Because sooner or later, it’s better to see reality. >

Ash finished grooming Beedrill and Vulpix, and moved on to Nidorino. The poison-pin type was always quiet, never talking.

Juniper had suspected him as mute, and thus had never battled. Ash knew Nidorino could talk, but only about once in a blue moon. He was just a silent soul, not that common in either world.

Still… having company was nice.

Company was always nice, especially since pokemon were so much nicer than humans.

They were his real family.

They were the ones he really confided in and talked and played and lived with. His father was nice, but never home.

In any case, Ash didn’t like basketball or golf, and his father did.

But to make the man happy, he would go. Juniper always smiled when Ash did something well, anyway.

What about his mother?

Ash wasn’t sure, she cooked and cleaned, but that seemed to be it. She was usually dreaming about the past.

This had become even more prevalent now that Juniper had died.

Ash was worried, though. What would they do? She had told him everything would be fine, but her voice had trembled.

Would everything really be all right?

Ash was scared, loath as he was to admit it to himself. What if she sold his pokemon? It could happen…

He would run away if it came to that!

Delia sighed, they could make do for a few more years with their bank savings, and hopefully with Ash on his journey he’d be able to provide for himself. She’d have to see about getting a job.

But what could she do with a degree in Russian literature? She didn’t have teaching credentials yet…

That was something she had to ponder, and meanwhile, make sure Ash took care of himself and didn’t go into shock like some kids did.

End Chapter

Started 3/20/04, completed 3/27/04