Well, this is quite a long fanfic, so I guess I'd better outline the 
formatting now before I start just so everyone knows what is going on.

The fanfiction is almost entirely set in the first person, and the person 
changes throughout the story. Who it is affects what they hear - some of the 
Pokemon can't be understood by some of the human characters, and so their 
speech won't be translated. But if the person whose point of view it is can 
undersand the Pokemon speaking, the translated speech will be given. I make 
it sound far more complicated than it is!
So:
"Normal speech appears like this"
("Translated pokemon speech appears like this")


Anyhow, feel free to leave any comments you want to make, whether you 
enjoyed it or not!

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters or Pokemon in this fanfic, 
they are the possession of 4kids, Nintendo and all other owners of Pokemon.



Child of the light one - Chapter I



:Yes, it is my mistake. I wanted this, but not in this way. It is not my 
fault, no, I have been far away for many years, and naivety rather than 
stupidity has caused this situation. Maybe if I’d thought for a while I 
could have worked it out, but the dice have been rolled, the cards dealt. 
Now I must just wait and see how the game progresses.:



The flames flicker, casting strange illusions never seen, only glimpsed. 
It’s funny really, staring into a fire. It brings me all sorts of memories, 
maybe unseen futures, but they pass as soon as they arrive. I’ve never 
understood why, but I’ve always found it particularly enchanting. I remember 
Brock saying that I looked at a glowing campfire with more intensity than 
Misty stares at the ocean. I replied that everyone stares at a fire in the 
dark, but he disagreed, telling me I was something else. There’s always been 
something about fire that’s alluring to me. I can’t work out what, perhaps 
its grace, its effortless power, its glowing light, and deep down, despite 
all its wondrous qualities, its fragility….

“Hello! Earth to Ash!” Misty, being subtle as always. I keep staring at the 
fire, now for two reasons. One, to try and finally capture the essence it 
contains which does this to me, and two it’ll sure as hell annoy Misty. 
“Hel-lo! Is there anything in that dense skull of yours?” Dense. Yeah, 
that’s what I’m defined as. Look in the dictionary and under the term dense 
you’ll find yours truly, the name Ashton Satoshi Ketchum. It’s true when I 
was younger I couldn’t see some things if they were staring me in the face, 
and to a degree I still have a blind spot to the obvious. But I’m not 
stupid, far from it.

“Hey Ash, you okay?” Brock now enters the fray, a touch of concern in his 
voice. I ignore him – no I don’t, you ignore people when you willingly 
disregard what they say. I’m not ignoring him, but I’m not listening either. 
I’m not deep in thought, yet I’m not dreaming. Somewhere in between. My mind 
tells me that it’ll only be a few more seconds before Misty makes another 
stinging remark….

“He’s just being an airhead as usual.” Yes, right on cue. Perhaps it’s time 
I took an active role in this discussion about me.

“If you call thinking being an airhead, then everyone is either dense for 
thinking or an idiot for not.” She’s caught flat-footed, and after wallowing 
for a second with mouth ajar she glares daggers at me, fiery hair washing 
across her face.

(“Where’d that come from? Who cares, it was brilliant!”) Pikachu giggles, 
sending Mistys face red as the fire.

“It’s not polite to ignore someone when they’re trying to talk to them.”

“It’s not polite to badmouth someone when they don’t reply.” I shoot back.

“Whew, thirty-love to Ash!” Brock laughs at the verbal sparring. “I’d quit 
now Misty, while you’re behind.” Misty humphs in response, but complies.

(“Ash, you never explained this to us properly. What are we doing now?”) 
Chikorita puts in lazily from her chibi sleeping bag, which I’d made 
specially for her last time we were at home.

“We’re going to be training up for the Indigo league in the summer. Oh, and 
maybe keeping an eye out for a few of the legendary Pokemon.” I smile 
slightly, they all look exactly the same. Part nervous, part excited, part 
mystified.

“Why?” Brock leans forward, looking towards me. “How do you know that the 
legendaries even exist? Or where they might be…”

“I don’t know where they are, but they usually find me. Remember Shamouti 
Misty?” She nods, frowning again. Probably thinking of Melody. “And New 
Island?” They all look blank. “No? Pikachu, don’t you remember?”

(“Uh, no.”) She replies, ears twitching in thought. Strange.

“Mewtwo? Mew?” I push.

“Mews are extinct aren’t they?” Brock replies.

“Where did you get all that from?” Misty puts in, clearly puzzled. I fall 
silent, trying to pinpoint the moment. Eventually, I shake my head.

“I don’t know really. It was a night just like this, I was staring into the 
fire. Then, it was like a light had been turned on, and the whole thing shot 
into my mind. No, it wasn’t like deja-vu, or imagined Mist.” I add, sensing 
her about to ask. “It was like you know that you’re sixteen, or your name is 
Misty.”

“New Island.” Brock chews the name over in his head, trying to find some 
recognition. “What happened there?”

“Oh, we encountered a Mew clone called Mewtwo intent on creating his own 
cloned Pokemon army, and using them to free all other Pokemon from their 
trainers. I led the originals to fight back, and a Mew joined us to fight 
Mewtwo. The two of us combined managed to persuade Mewtwo to learn the error 
of his ways.” Outrageous as that tale sounds, I decide to not tell them that 
I’d technically died. They’d probably not believe me, since it'd seem 
ridiculous, which would discredit everything else I’ve said.

“Mmmm, wonder why we can’t remember. Ah well, it’s getting too late for my 
eyes, so I’m off to bed.” Brock yawns, before retreating to his sleeping 
bag. Chikorita just drags her own sleeping bag to near mine, and lays down 
too.

(“You know, that name does ring a bell. I just wish I knew why.”) Pikachu 
murmurs, paw scratching a buttercup ear absently.

“It’ll come back to you, don’t worry. Goodnight Pikachu.” I give her head a 
quick rub before she walks over to her custom-made bag. Misty gets up and 
walks around the fire to sit next to me as the rustling of sleeping bags 
dies down. She stares into my eyes for a few long seconds before sitting 
down beside me and lokking away.

“Ash, what’s up?” She whispers, casting a sidelong glance in my direction.

“Nothing, really.” I keep my eyes fixed on my fire, although I just know 
that she’s now turned to look at me again.

“Yeah, and I’m Snorlax’s big sister. Don’t lie to me Ash Ketchum.” She 
shuffles a little closer to me, waiting for an answer.

“If I really knew, maybe I could.” I can sense her confusion, so I 
elaborate. “Misty, look into the fire, tell me what you can see.” Out of the 
corner of my eye I see her turn to the fire, and regard it critically for a 
second. “Well?”

“I see….reds and oranges, dancing flames, flickering shadows….” She looks 
back at me, and I nod.

“Now let me tell you what I see.” I stare hard into the core of the blaze. 
“I see an infinite number of hues intertwined, I see faces, memories of the 
past. I see my mother, you, Pikachu, everyone. I see a bird of fire, ice and 
lightning. Faces past and faces unknown. I sometimes remember things long 
forgotten or watch what I’ve never seen. And I don’t know how or why.” 
Finished, I look back up to see her smiling at me.

“You know that watching a fire can make you think of the oddest things….”

“No, these aren’t figments of my imagination, these are real. I don’t know 
how to describe them properly.” I state vehemently, and she looks a little 
taken aback. “Sorry, sorry. Didn’t mean to shout at you Misty.”

“It’s okay Ash.” She smiles at me, then casts a thoughtful glance at the 
fire before looking back to me. “But don’t let the fire worry you, I’m sure 
it’s just your mind getting a little overactive.” She cajoles, as if I’m a 
kid having nightmares. But I don’t mind, Misty doesn’t realise it yet, but 
any way she speaks to me without shouting or criticising is music to my 
ears. “Anyhow, I think it’s time I hit the sack, so goodnight. Don’t be too 
long, another long day coming tomorrow.” She gets to her feet, and slopes 
off to her sleeping bag, which is subtly close to mine without being 
obvious. If only she knew that over the last few years I’ve become a pretty 
smart cookie, but she still thinks of me as a rather scatty-minded twelve- 
year-old. I look back into the flames, and try to let myself relax. She’s 
probably right anyway, I can still be like that. Sometimes I do it for a 
laugh, sometimes I almost lapse back into the preteen me. Maybe I’m a 
schizophrenic. Well, if that is the case at least I’ll never be lonely. I 
smile wryly to myself, and creep over to my bag to retrieve my journal. I 
can still remember the mild ribbing I got from everyone when they found out 
about it, Misty telling me that is was a girlish thing to do, Brock 
mimicking me writing romantic poetry every night for a week, and worst of 
all Pikachus high pitched giggling. The only ones who know and don’t rib me 
are mum and Chikorita, although she’s desperate to find out what it 
contains, probably to find out what I think of her. But there’s more to it 
than that, sure I write my feelings, actions and emotions out, and even the 
occasional piece of poetry (yes, and some of it is love poetry). It’s also 
recording pieces of a puzzle, the puzzle of the things I see from the 
flames, the voices in the crackle of burning leaves. Failing to see Mistys 
Aqua eyes glint in the orange glow as she watches me intently, I pull out 
the pen tucked inside the front cover and start writing.

“Another day gone by, another few more moments in history. Today was a good 
day, except for Chikorita and Pikachu arguing about who got which shoulder 
which ended in Chikorita vine whipping Pikachu off, resulting in her trying 
to shock her back. Unfortunately, I’m not a grass type like Chikorita.” I 
smile at the memory, and the puppy eyes they both gave me when I gave them 
an ass chewing. “Tonight, I saw more images in the fire, images from 
Shamouti years ago. And something new.” I let my gaze fade out again, trying 
to pin down exactly what I had seen. “I was there, along with a strange man, 
my mother, and a wondrous bird, but so indistinct. It could mean nothing, 
but the bird looked exactly the same as the one I saw on the first day of my 
journey. Is it just coincidence? But when I tried to explain to Misty what 
was happening, she only just stopped short of laughing.” An expression of 
pain passes onto my face as the memory of Misty's incredulous look swims 
into my mind. “Maybe I’m crazy, maybe not. But I still can’t explain it….” I 
sigh, and put my pen back into the journal, and stuff it back in my bag. I 
glance at my watch as I take off my shirt…. It’s taken me half an hour to 
write that. Where did the time go? I pull off my grey shorts, and climb into 
my sleeping bag, leaving it part open. I’ve been feeling really hot 
recently, despite the fact summer is a way off yet. Slowly, sleep overtakes 
me, just as the last glowing ember of the fire dies away.



*I’m high in the air, gazing at the world spread below me like an intricate 
tapestry. I can feel the wind flow beneath my wings, smell the night air as 
it rushes past. It’s a thrill, a thrill that I’ve never known before. Riding 
on Lugia's back was amazing, but being truly in control of yourself and your 
direction in a seemingly infinite expanse of sky is something unique. To 
dive, to glide, to soar. I somehow know this is a dream even while it’s 
happening, and I wish that it could last forever. I make it last a while 
longer, just for the feeling. It’s amazing to have your confines removed, 
the normal laws you have to listen to repealed, even if its just for one 
night of dreaming. Eventually, feeling my wings tiring, I glide back to the 
campsite, and darkness overtakes me once more.*



The sun appears over the horizon, at exactly the same time my eyes open. I 
blink a few times, my hazel irises adjusting to the light, before sliding 
out of his sleeping bag and standing up. Something is wrong here, something 
missing…..uh? I hurriedly scout around for some clothes, well, any clothes. 
I set eyes on my grey shorts, and hurriedly slip them on before glancing 
around the site to make sure everyone else was still asleep. Whew, I’m glad 
Misty wasn’t awake just then, or anyone else for that matter. But where have 
my boxers gone? A quick search of the sleeping bag and surrounding area 
produce my shirt and a few other bits and pieces, but no sign of them. Well, 
I’m glad that mom always made sure I had plenty of clean you-know-whats.

(“Whatcha dooin?”) I spin around to see Chikorita gazing up at me, and feel 
a blush spread over me.

“How long have you been awake?!”

(“About five seconds. Looking for something?”)

“No, no. Uh, have you seen my boxer shorts?” I blush still further as 
Chikorita giggles in response.

(“Do you say that to all girls just after they’ve just woken up?”) She 
jibes, smiling further at my reaction.

“Uh, I’d advise you to not breathe a word. I can always forget to make you a 
custom pair of pyjamas…” Her leaf droops in submission, and she looks up at 
me with soulful eyes, knowing the look works like a charm on me, and as 
usual it does it’s magic. ”Okay, okay. But make sure that you don’t tell 
anyone. I don’t want any of them winding me up or giving me any of the old 
jokes. And if Misty so much as giggles at me…”

(“Alright! I get the idea!”) She drags herself out of her sleeping bag and 
wanders over to my side as I idly scratched my chin in thought.

“Why do you want pyjamas anyhow?”

(“I think they look nice, and seem comfortable. Also they keep you warm.”) 
Chikorita replied lightly.

“It’s a little unusual to see a Pokemon in human clothes. ” I crouched down 
to her level, and look her in the eye. “Are you sure you want to stick out 
like that from others?”

(“Hey, I like to be noticed.”)

“Why?”

(“When you’ve grown up with six brothers, you need to stand out.”) She 
answers calmly.

“Standing out isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.” I let a rueful tone seep 
into my voice as I stare blindly into the middle distance, engulfed in 
memory.

(“What do you mean by that?”) She asks, curiosity apparent in her eyes.

”Ask me some other time.” I reply, eyes still glazed. *Preferably never.*

(“Uh, okay.”) A moan and some rustling sounds from my right signifies Misty 
is waking up, so I reach for a T-shirt. It’s all very well being half-naked 
around Pokemon, but I’m always too embarrassed around people. Don’t know why 
really, it just feels strange. The world disappears for a moment as the 
shirt passes over my head, and as it reappears I can see her smiling up at 
me, so I hurriedly pull it down over my chest and stomach.

“Morning Ash, Chikorita.” She yawns, pulling herself out of her bag and 
slowly stretching in her Horsea-styled blue pyjamas.

“Morning sleepyhead.” I reply trying to brush a stray lock of hair out of my 
eye.

(“Yeah, sleep well?”) Chikorita adds, walking over to find a brush in my 
bag.

“Not bad. What time is it?”

“It’s uh…” I look at my right wrist, to find it without a trace of watch. 
Not a hint of watchness in sight. Strange. Boxers and watches? Some thief 
around here has a weird priority list. “I don’t know, but judging by the sun 
and time of year I’d say around forty-seven minutes past eight.” She looks 
at me strangely, and my mind catches up with my mouth. Where the hell did 
that come from? She bends down to her bag and scoops up her watch. One 
glance at it, and she looks at me even more strangely.

“You’re right. To the minute. How on earth did you know that?”

“Uh, a lucky guess I guess, eh-heheheh.” She cocks an eyebrow, and drops the 
watch back on her bag.

“If that’s the case would you care to pick my lottery numbers for next 
week?” Without waiting for an answer she turns around and bends down to pull 
a change of clothes out of her bag, and I find myself looking at a rather 
unexpected sight. Not one that I mind, of course….damn, there I go again. I 
really, really need to learn some mental control, to stop mister libido 
wolf- whistling like Brock on heat. Sometimes I hate growing up, it creates 
so much confusion….but scanning over Mistys lithe, shapely five-and-a-half 
foot frame, orange hair flowing down over her shoulders as she straightens 
up, I decide that it does have its benefits. I manage to rip my gaze away 
from her just before she sees me staring, only for it to centre on a 
sniggering Brock who just happened to see me giving her the once over and 
is, needless to say, in a mood for blackmail. Oh man, am I going to get it 
from one of them this morning. I can hear Pikachu sniggering from behind me 
as well, the day gets better and better. I’ve lost a pair of boxers which 
Chikorita knows about, and Pikachu and Brock have got an eyeful of me 
getting an eyeful of Misty. I’m glad Todd isn’t here, any photographs and I 
could be looking at a life sentence. Now Brock is getting out of his 
sleeping bag with a calculating look, and I just know that I’m going to be 
getting the wood for the fire this morning. And the water. And the berries.



I watch Ash walk off into the undergrowth, bowl in his hands, and hear 
Pikachu sniggering behind me. I think I’ve missed something. Normally Ash 
never gets the water without a fight, which usually results in a shocking or 
possibly a bit of hammer time courtesy of me. I spin around to Pikachu, 
intent on catching her by surprise. “And what’s so funny?”

(“Uh, nothin’”) She stutters, turning on her innocent look. It’s not going 
to work on me.

“You must find nothing awfully funny.” I snap, edging closer.

(“Yeah, right.”) She’s looking uncomfortable as I tower over her. She has no 
problem with shocking Ash if she wants to, but she never tried it on with 
me. It’s beyond me why not.

“Were you laughing at me? You were weren’t you?!” Oh, am I good at this. 
She’s looking desperate now.

(“No! I was laughing at Ash…”) Ah, what has he done then? It had to be 
blackmail for him to willingly go and collect the water, or for Pikachu to 
be laughing at him.

“Why? What did he do?!” I whip the mallet out of nowhere, and wave it at 
her. She squeals in surprise, and pelts across the clearing to Brock, who is 
still sat in his sleeping clothes, me on her tail. I pull up a foot short, 
and glower at the two of them.

“Come on Casanova, what’s the deal with Ash?”

“uh…deal? What deal?” This is going to be easy, it’s a well known fact that 
Brock, although a great breakfast cook, needs a breakfast to get the 
thinking part of his brain into first gear. Right about now, the starter 
motor isn’t even on.

“The deal which means he has to get the water. And the one which Pikachu 
finds incredibly funny, too funny to tell me.” He flounders like a caught 
Magikarp, eyes on my mallet.

“Uh, uh, he made a joke about you and we threatened to tell you if he 
didn’t!” Yeah, right. Ash hasn’t been out of earshot from me since eight 
last night, and they would’ve sniggered then if he had told them the joke 
beforehand.

“Okay then slick, what was the joke?” Another Magikarp impression, this time 
Pikachu jumps in.

(“He said what’s the difference between Misty and a Muk – he’d sleep with a 
Muk.”) Ooooh, that was below the belt Pikachu. That could be getting him in 
more trouble with me than whatever they’re hiding.

“He…said….what?” I put an overload of pissed-off tone into my voice, and see 
Pikachu quail. She knows that if Ash finds out what she just said there’ll 
be more than hell to pay, especially if I really gave him a proper going 
over.

(“Uh….(Brock, help!)”) She whispers frantically.

“(What can I do?)”

(“(Think of something!)”) It’s all I can do to avoid cracking up as, after 
frantic whispering, Brock puts on a feeble smile and attempts to meet my 
eye.

“Uh, I woke up and saw him checking you out while you were pulling your 
change of clothes out of the bag.” Pikachu slaps her head and sweatdrops, 
and I know he’s telling the truth. Then the truth seems to smack me on the 
cheeks, turning them both bright red. To distract them from this I go back 
on the offensive. One swift swish of my mallet, and Brock is seeing stars.

“That’s for lying to me.” Another swish, and Pikachu has pidgeys circling 
her head. “And that’s for the joke, which I didn’t find particularly funny.” 
I re-pocket the mallet as a distant rustling heralds Ash’s return, and move 
to pick up my clothes again. A few seconds later he crashes through a bush, 
and re-enters the clearing carrying a bowl almost overflowing with water. He 
sees me staring at him, and reddens slightly. Yeah, Brock was telling me the 
truth alright. He sets the bowl down, spins on his heel and heads towards 
the trees again. “And where do you think you’re going?” He freezes on the 
spot.

“To get firewood. And some berries for breakfast, if I can find them.” I see 
him clench his fist as he mentions berries, he always gets designated to 
pick them because he’ll usually be the easiest one to persuade (or threaten) 
but I can see the scratches on his arms and hands from here. It’s not 
surprising really, the berries are mostly eaten by Pokemon, as the long 
thorns which surround them are not fun for anyone without fur or leathery 
skin.

“Don’t worry, I’m sure Pikachu and Brock will go and get everything, won’t 
you?”

“Uh, maybe…” the mumbled reply.

“Pardon?!” A single cocked eyebrow is enough to suggest to them an infinite 
amount of tortures which will possibly be experienced if they don’t move 
their backsides pronto.

“Uh, yes! Straight away ma’am!” Brock almost salutes as he rushes off, 
Pikachu in tow.

“How did you get them to do that?” Ash asks, idly ambling back to his 
sleeping place, and bending to stroke Chikorita.

“Just a little persuasion….” I whip out the mallet again, and blow some 
imaginary dust from its head before pocketing it again.

“Should’ve guessed.” He bends down to rummage in his bag. “Anyhow, I’m going 
to go change now….” Um, wasn’t he already changed when I woke up?

“You’ve already changed.” I fold my arms, looking him up and down. “You look 
fine to me….” I then see what he’s concealing, well trying to, in his hands. 
“Ah, I see. Don’t worry Ash, it happens to all of us sometime.” He looks 
thunderstruck, and I can’t help laughing, especially when Chikorita starts 
screaming with laughter beside him.

“Uh, no, nothing like that has happened. At all.” I calm down just enough to 
snigger a question.

“Well what is it then?”

“Uh, I kinda woke up this morning and they’d gone….” I sink to my knees, 
eyes blurring with tears of mirth. “ I guess I could’ve put that better.” He 
mumbles, face turning red as a cherry, wringing the pair of boxers in his 
hands.

(“Aaah-haahaahaaaaa!”) Chikorita pounds the earth with her front paws as he 
makes his rather embarrassed way out of the campsite to change. Eventually 
we sober up, and I begin to feel a little sheepish.

“I wish I hadn’t done that. He’s been really embarrassed about things of 
a…..personal nature for years, especially recently.”

(“I don’t know why. He’s got no problems around Pokemon, but he won’t let 
any human see him without a shirt on recently, let alone anything less. Odd 
isn’t it?”) We both think for a moment in silence.

“But he’s been complaining about the heat. It’s only early to mid spring. 
And yet still he insists in covering up. He’s always been quite modest, but 
recently it’s been extreme, he’s even more secretive than me. Girls are 
usually more private, but he breaks the mould.” I think for another moment, 
and then continue. “It’s ever since he got that diary, and got this 
fascination with fire. He’s changed subtly in other ways too.” She nods in 
agreement.

(“He’s less argumentative, more withdrawn. Also, when training he’s gotten 
very quick reflexes, and become more agile. Odd.”) He chooses that moment to 
walk back into the campsite, still with a cherry-like complexion. I get up 
from my kneeling position, and smile at him.

“Feeling fully dressed now? Sure you’re not going to go and lose yourself 
again?” It’s evil I know, but I can’t help it.

“Uh, yeah.”

“Okay, I’m going to go change now.” I walk over to the nearest big tree, and 
step behind it. I know it’s wrong to wind him up more, but I can’t help 
it….I poke my head out from beside the tree, and with a coy wink, call over 
to him “and no peeking!” I didn’t think it humanly possible to go any 
redder, but he does. I hurriedly strip off my pyjamas and slip on my usual 
attire for the last few weeks, a sky-blue skinny-rib top and denim shorts, 
before tying my hair back in a ponytail which falls down the back of my 
neck. I admit I’ve been doing this to get a certain friend to notice me a 
little more, and from what I’ve ascertained it’s working. Well, he does 
blush a lot. I pace back out to see him deep in quiet conversation with 
Chikorita, and I move over to my bag to put my stuff away. I can just pick 
out a few words he’s saying.

“Green….no, not silk that’s too pricey, besides cotton is more 
suitable….yeah, silk can be too hot….yellow trim, yeah that’ll go 
with…..leaves or flowers….both? Okay, I’ll alternate….”

“Hey Ash, it sounds like you’re planning a garden show over there!” He looks 
up at me, and frowns.

(“Actually, Ash is going to ma…”)

“Buy her a pair of pyjamas, and she’s telling me what she’d like.” He turns 
to face me, running fingers through his hair. “After I…got her that sleeping 
bag she’s liked the idea of pyjamas.” I look over the sleeping bag, it sure 
is cute. Pale green, with a patterned leaf motif.

“It’s really nice. Hey, do you think you could get me the number of whoever 
makes them, so I can get one for Togepi?” He scratches his head, and 
Chikorita looks up at him with mild concern.

“Uh, he asked that I keep it under wraps. He can only make one thing at a 
time, and I promised that I wouldn’t tell anyone else who it is. And sorry, 
but that includes you, I keep my promises.”

“But Aaaa-aaaash!” Normally if I complain enough I can get my way with him, 
but I can see it’s no sale this time.

“No, sorry. But if you give me Togepis rough measurements I can get him 
one.” I relent, and nod. “Okay, I’ll send him the details with those for 
Chikoritas pyjamas.”

“Mind if I ask why you want pyjamas?” Chikorita looks up at me with a smile.

(“They look nice, and feel nice.”) I’m curious. How does she know how they 
feel?

“Have you worn any before?”

(“No, but Ash wraps his around me on cold nights, and they feel pretty comfy 
then”) I notice Ash is blushing again.

“Awwww, that’s so sweet!” I croon, pushing his embarrassment to boiling 
point for the third time in ten minutes. I don’t know why, but I just love 
doing this.

“Anything for my Pokemon.” He brushes it away, and moves back to his things. 
“Now, I’m going to get packed up before Brock and Pikachu can get back, so 
once breakfast is done we can help them sort out their things and move out. 
Then we might just get to the next town by nightfall.” Makes sense.

“Okay, let’s get set. Betcha I can pack up before you!”

“You’re on!”

(“Twice!”) Chikorita adds, scurrying to her own things. It’s fun to have a 
little childish competition with Ash, especially if it leads to one of out 
trademark arguments. I begin stuffing my sleeping bag into it’s container….

“Done!” I shoot upright and spin around. He’s not joking either, he’s packed 
up and ready to go. In under ten seconds. I notice Chikorita looking 
completely gobsmacked, her sleeping bag half-rolled.

(“How in the name of Lugia…..”) He nervously rubs the back of his head, 
looking like he doesn’t really know either.

“I-I guess practice makes perfect!” I look him in the eye, and see that he’s 
more than a little confused.

“Yeah, that’s right. But what you make is about thirty seconds below it. 
Well, since you’re such an expert, would you care to help me with mine?” He 
smiles nervously, and picks up my pyjama trousers, folding them up neatly. 
“Since when did you become civilised?” I jibe gently.

“Since it occurred to me that you can’t be ten for over six years.” He’s 
right, he certainly doesn’t look ten any more. For a second I let my eyes 
rove hungrily across him, and at six-one, there’s a lot. He doesn’t seem to 
realise it, but he’s become hot property among the entire female population 
of, well, the world. A tall guy, getting pretty muscular too, his black hair 
now kept in some semblance of style, swept back and across, and tied back. 
Also a massively popular and respected trainer, especially since the 
incident in the last championship final. An incident which he still is 
unable to get over. And it isn’t the fact he lost, it was what happened in 
that match…..and this guy, most eligible bachelor in Kanto and Johto put 
together is the same one that was checking me out this morning.

“Uh, Misty.” I suddenly realise that he’s standing in front of me, holding 
my pyjamas in his hands.

“…..Yes?”

“Do you want to put these away?” He holds out the clothes to me.

“Why don’t you?” He looks at me with nervousness etched on his face.

“Because normally you won’t let any guy within six feet of it.”

“Hey, it’s no problem, you can put them away for me. Just don’t go looking 
at my diary okay? Oh, or my lingerie.” Chikorita is right, that line would 
have catastrophic effects on the average teenage guy, but he just looks 
horribly embarrassed. He opens the top flap, and puts them gently inside, 
before zipping it shut again. “Oh, and open my front pocket, and pass me my 
deodorant.” He complies, flipping the can to me. I take off the top and 
spray myself over, sticking one arm into my top to get to my chest and back, 
before tossing it back to him.

“Can I borrow some of this?” I’ll admit that took me by surprise.

“Sure, but isn’t it a little feminine for you?” He pops the cap off, and 
smiles slightly.

“Nah, I kinda like it myself. It always smelt good on you, and I think that 
means it’ll smell good on me too.” .....Erm..... Now you could knock me down 
with a feather. I never ever thought he’d say that.

“Thanks.” He looks at me a little awkwardly, before hurriedly lifting up his 
shirt to spray his stomach, dropping it quickly again afterwards. He puts 
the top back on, and drops it into the side pocket. “now if you’ll excuse 
me, I’ve got a little business to which I must attend.” He paces off into 
the bush on one side, as I can hear Brock approaching from the other.

(“Am I being paranoid, or was Ash being really, really weird just then?”) 
Chikorita eyes me with concern, and I nod back.

“Yeah, but keep it under wraps. We want to work out what’s up before we go 
telling the world. And that includes the other two.”

(“You got it. I don’t want to put my pyjamas in jeopardy.”) She chuckles, 
using her vines to tie up her little bag and lever it into Ash’s backpack.

“No wonder he’s getting so muscular, anyone would have big shoulders after 
carrying around yours and Pikachus stuff for ages.” I suddenly realise I’ve 
said this aloud, and my eyes flick back down to her, seeing a wry smile on 
her lips. “Maybe it’d be better if you didn’t tell him I told you that…..”



Thank goodness, I never thought I’d be so glad to see civilisation. Now, at 
last I get to have a little time to myself. Looking at Ash’s face, below the 
yellow glow of the streetlights, he mirrors my sentiments exactly. Although 
for different reasons, He’s got something up, and I don’t know what it is. 
As for me, well, I’m glad to get the chance to flirt a little. I’m feeling 
like more and more of a third wheel recently, it’s obvious that they only 
have eyes for each other, Misty and Ash. They don’t argue like they used to 
any more, at least then I could use a few snide remarks to let off some 
steam at being the odd one out. They fight now and then, although it’s now 
more of an in-joke. Which makes it less fun for me watching. Also Ash has 
become almost completely passive over the last few months, which disturbs me 
to say the least. The incident at the Indigo plateau has had an effect, 
that’s for sure.

“D’you think they have a shopping centre?” Misty looks like she’s champing 
at the bit.

“Not at nine in the night.” Her face falls in response.

“Yeah, true.” But her eyes light up again as we walk through the town. This 
place seems to have more shoe shops than Paris, more boutiques than New 
York. It’s about now I’m delighted Ash gave us the hurry-up, and we got here 
this evening rather than tomorrow morning, at least I’ll have a good night’s 
sleep in a proper bed before facing Misty with a credit card and a 
calculating expression. Ever since she came into some money, which she says 
was from some distant aunt who died and split her finances between her 
living relatives. She made sure she waved it in Ash’s face, who didn’t seem 
to mind. In fact, he almost looked delighted.

“I can’t wait to fall onto a bed which actually has springs.” He zones out, 
expression unfocused. He really has been worrying me recently.

(“We call the shower!”) Pikachu and Chikorita high-five over his head, 
pleased to bag it first.

“Second!” Ah, damn it, too slow. That was Misty, which means that I’m going 
to be waiting a loooong time. I glance at Ash, who still seems oblivious. 
Well, I might as well complete the ritual.

“Third!” I wait for response. None forthcoming. If I can’t wind him up…. 
“And you three, make sure you clean out the hair from the shower before I 
get there okay?”

“Brock!!” Misty yells, almost seeming to swell in size.

“Let’s look at this sensibly shall we? You…..” I point to her “…..shave your 
armpits every single time we get to a room and never, ever get rid of the 
result. And you two..…” I look at Chikorita and Pikachu “…..are furry and 
tend to moult when you get soaking wet. So don’t leave me cleaning it out, 
okay?!” They look a little taken aback, and I chuckle. Maybe I should try 
being evil Brock more often. We go back to walking in silence, gazing in 
shop windows. Something is wrong about this whole scenario. Then it clicks. 
“Hey Pikachu, doesn’t something seem wrong right about now?” I call to her, 
on the other side of Ash’s head.

(“Uh, dunno. What are you thinking is wrong?”)

“Well, where are we?” She still looks puzzled.

(“Just coming into Morston city.”) She pokes her head out so she can see me, 
and I shoot her a sly grin.

“So we’re coming into a new city. Doesn’t it seem unusually quiet?”

(“Yeah, it is late evening.”)

“But doesn’t it seem rather quiet around us in particular?” I see a tiny 
smile break on her lips, she gets it too. Chikorita, on the shoulder nearest 
to me, starts to grin.

(“Yes, it does.”)

(“Then why don’t we make it more like it usually is?”) Chikorita suggests, 
now wearing a slightly snide smile.

(“On three?”) Pikachu calls across from the seemingly still oblivious Ash’s 
right shoulder.

(“One.”) Chikorita sticks a vine in the air.

(“Two.”) Pikachu raises a hand.

“And…Three!” Instantly we start doing spirited over-excited Ash impressions.

“I wonder where the gym is!” (Me)

(“We’ll beat them easy right Pikachu?!”) (Pikachu)

(“Pika!”) (Chikorita).

“I can’t wait to get a new badge!”

(“Where’s the food?!”) Pikachu chirrups, giggling madly.

“Where’s the bed?” I can’t help it, I’m really getting into this.

(“Food in bed? Gimmie!”) Chikorita again.

“Are you the gym leader? Let’s battle!” I squeak, pretending to turn an 
imaginary cap backwards and throw a pokeball.

(“Yeah! I got a….”)

“SHUT UP!” Misty nearly blows Pikachu of Ash’s shoulder and me into a wall. 
She just about recovers her balance at around the same time Misty has enough 
breath to let off a full tirade.

“That was uncalled for! Uncalled for and heartless! If it was me you were 
insulting you’d be breathing through tubes for a month!” She shoots a look 
up at Ash, who is breaking the world record for the blankest stare in 
history, but obviously sees something there because she goes nuclear on us 
again. “I would tell you to apologise right about now but it’s his choice if 
he wants you to, not mine. But if you ever go off at him like that again…..” 
She breaks off, chest heaving for breath, but makes her point clear by 
giving us a venomous look which could make Chikoritas leaf wither in the 
space of a second. Any other conversation is broken off by Ash redoubling 
his pace without a moment’s warning, and we have to jog to catch up with 
him. I can’t quite see Mistys problem, it was only a little joke after all, 
wasn’t it? The easiest way to hit a nerve with Misty is to involve Ash, 
whether you criticise him where she jumps to his defence, or if you praise 
him where she replies with snide put-downs. And god help whoever insinuates 
that their relationship is anything more than good friends.….I can see the 
Pokemon centre up ahead, and feel a sudden urge to get inside as soon as 
possible. Anything is better than walking with one friend not responding to 
a word you say and the other ready to set alight to your trousers. After too 
long just walking towards the sign we eventually reach the automatic doors, 
which swish open as if to welcome us and usher us in. Joy looks up from the 
desk, and for a moment the pink mist descends until Misty catches my eye. 
Not tonight Brock, not tonight.

“How can I help you?” She looks up at us in that well practised manner, and 
I have to bite my lip to keep my feet on the ground.

“Uh, we’d like a room for four please!” She glances around, and frowns at 
us.

“Four? There’s only three of you…..”

(“There’s FIVE of us in case you didn’t notice!”) Chikorita scowls from 
Ash’s shoulder. Joy looks at her in confusion so I translate, minus the 
indignation.

“Ah, I see. Now, what do we have?” A few keys tapped, head bent over the 
laptop on the desk. “Hmmm, the biggest we’ve got is a three, we’ve got a 
two, and two one bed rooms. The one bed rooms have no shower though.”

“I’ll take a single, you three go for the big room.” Ash’s voice makes me 
jump, since he’s been silent for quite a while. It sounds wrong, somehow 
forced.

“But won’t you…..” Misty began, only to be cut off.

“No, it’s fine. Honestly, leave the doubles for those that need them.” He 
keeps his eyes to the floor, which is worrying. He never fails to look life 
in the eye.

(“At least let me come in with you.”) Pikachu begs, clinging onto his head 
tightly.

“Sorry Pikachu, but you should go with the others, else you won’t be able to 
have a shower. Honestly.” Joy drops the key onto the desk, and after 
depositing Pikachu and Chikorita onto the floor he wordlessly picks it up 
and moves towards the rooms on the other side of the building.

“Is your friend alright? He seems awfully..…under the weather.” Joy looks 
back at us, frowning.

“I wish I knew, I really do.” Misty sighs resignedly. I wish I did too, but 
I can’t do anything about him right now. She drops the keys on the table, 
and we head off to our room, next door to Ash. I can’t help feeling that a 
single wall isn’t going to be enough for him to get the peace he wants 
tonight.



The pen scratches frantically across the paper, babbling brook-like with 
words I’m afraid to say.

“It’s happening again. My emotions are a blur, thoughts a mess. I’m growing 
again, growing in the wrong places. Its like my body doesn’t know what to do 
either. What’s going on? I don’t understand, don’t understand what’s 
happening. Don’t understand why I feel the need to cry. It’s like going 
through puberty in a few moments, but different. I’m beginning to 
look….different. Why? It happened a few times in the past but never for more 
than a few days. Why is it different? More prolonged? Is there a change 
coming? I wish someone could answer me, right now I’m just scared and alone. 
I never understood what hormones were but they could never work as fast as 
this, and in the wrong way. I can’t tell anyone, I can’t go to anyone. I’m 
alone this time, and helpless.”

I snap closed my journal, letting a few tears drip onto the cover. I can’t 
look at the mirror, I can’t. It’s hanging there, taunting me, begging me to 
look up. But I know what I’ll see, I’ll see me changing. I know there are 
diseases and syndromes which cause this, but never so rapid or drastic. I 
can’t comprehend what’s going on, or why. But I’m becoming less and less 
like Ash. I’m still technically me but….it’s hopeless. My eyes flick up, 
unbidden, just to take in my reflection again. I’m changing shape, changing 
figure. It’s almost as if I’m evolving, whether the by-product of some 
incident past, I have no idea. I can’t even go and get a shower, I have to 
figure out some way of concealing my body but not my face until I work out 
what the hell to do. At least I haven’t got a tail…..But the way things are 
going that’s scant comfort. It’s going to be a long night…..


The next chapter will be up in the next week or so, if you feel inclined to 
keep reading!
Don't forget to leave any comments you want!
Dan A.K.A. Silent Sigh