Chapter 11 Pikachu was drowsing in the hallway. Nothing new had happened for the last day and a half. There had been some excitement when they came through the door yesterday, but nothing to speak of. Misty was with Mrs. Ketchum in the living room while Brock was in the kitchen. Nothing out of the ordinary in Pikachu's mind except one thing: Ash wasn't here. "Pi?" Pikachu's ears perked up. Pikachu heard footsteps outside. There was a thud, then a thump and another thud. Pikachu heard the doorknob rattle and it was too much for the pokemon. Pikachu bolted at the door. 'What the???!!!' Ash had swung the door open to see a yellow fur ball soaring in mid air. Ash let go of his trophy in surprise. Ash was tackled by the yellow blur with surprising strength and fell flat on his back. Ash was disoriented for a moment until he heard the voices. "Pikapi!" Ash's heart skipped a beat. Ash didn't move for a second, hoping that it wasn't a dream and that moving would wake him up. Ash sat up slowly, unbelieving. "Pikachu?" Ash whispered. Ash stared down at the pokemon clinging to his midsection. Pikachu looked up at Ash and then Ash knew the truth. "Pikachu!" Ash yelled happily as he cradled his pokemon. "Pikapi!" Pikachu squealed happily in Ash's arms. The loving embrace lasted for a few moments before Pikachu realized something. "Piii?" Pikachu tugged on the ponytail coming out from the back of Ash's hat. "Hey!" Ash laughed. "What did you expect? I haven't had a haircut in three months." Pikachu began to inspect Ash's more subtle differences. Ash was more developed in upper body strength; Pikachu almost had his ribs broken in the hug. Ash had the same face but different clothes, he smelled like sweat and he looked tired. "Pikachu?" Before Ash could reply, their reunion was interrupted. "Ash!" It was Mrs. Ketchum. Ash stared dumbstruck at his mother and realized why his father hadn't shown up at the tournament. Misty and Brock stood beside her in the hallway. Ash had to really fight to hold back the tears. "Mom! Brock! Misty!" Ash jumped up and ran into his mom's arms. "I missed you guys so much." Ash lost the battle because tears of joy washed down his face. Everyone in the group hug was crying, including Misty. Ash was finally let go of and he smiled. The smile faded when he heard a booming voice from the den. "Ashura! Is that you?" Ash's reply was a shaky yes. "For god sakes, get in here!" Ash was surprised, then suspicious. His father never used that kind of language, ever, unless… "What did you do to him?" Ash asked in a low voice. The three humans smiled a mischievous smile and Ash went pale. "Nothing really. Go on outside for a while and I'll deal with your father," Delilah said with a smile. As tempting as that sounded, Ash couldn't just ignore his father. Ash sighed and picked up his crushed bag and forgotten trophy. "What's that for?" asked Misty, wide eyed and noticing the trophy for the first time. Ash smiled and gave her a wink. "You'll see," was Ash's reply. "ASHURA" Ash let out a yelp and calmly speed walked into the den. What Ash saw was nothing short of hilarious. Ash's dad was tied up from head to toe with rope and none too happy about it. Mark's face was red in anger and embarrassment that turned crimson when Ash started laughing. "Man dad, you and mom have a wild time while your kid was away?" This time Mark went purple. "Just untie me already!" Ash took some deep breaths and walked over to untie his father. Mark was so angry, Ash had to stop him from falling over - twice. "Now before I untie you fully, I have something to show you." Mark growled something about whatever it was could wait until he was free. Ash ignored the comment. Ash held up the trophy and deposited it onto Mark's lap. "Wha?" Mark asked, utterly confused. Ash grinned like an idiot before explaining. "You said that if I got first place in any event that I could return to my pokemon training at home, right?" Mark looked at the trophy, back to Ash and then to the trophy again. "You came in first?" Mark asked in wonder. Then Ash saw his father do something he rarely did; he got excited. "Which event? Don't keep me in suspense! What event was it? Tell me!!!" "In all of them" It didn't register in Mark's mind for a full second. Ash's reply was so sudden and so serious that Mark was surprised. Ash took the opportunity to untie that last of the rope. "All of them?" Mark whispered. Ash replied yes as the last of the rope was being undone. As soon as Mark was free, he jumped up and hugged Ash. "My boy! My boy won the cadet tournament!" Ash was picked up and swung around like a rag doll. "Dad!" Ash yelped. "I'd like to breath!" Mark stopped swinging Ash and set him down on the ground again. "What's all this about?" Delilah asked from the doorway. Misty and Brock were nowhere to be seen but Pikachu was by her feet. Mark's smile turned into a scowl when Delilah interrupted him. Ash could feel the tension in the level in the room skyrocket. "Pikachu!" Pikachu bounded up onto Ash's shoulder. Ash smiled as Pikachu nuzzled Ash's cheek and Ash returned the display of affection by rubbing Pikachu's chin. "How have you been Pikachu? I missed ya buddy." Ash was reminded of all the hardships he had been through in the last three months and added "a lot." "Hey, Ash!" Ash turned toward the window to see Brock and Misty outside. "Yo, Brocko!" Ash waved a bit. "What's going on?" "Come outside and see, we've got a surprise for you." Ash wondered as he walked out just what kind of surprise they could have concocted in two days. Ash ran with energy he didn't know he had. "What is …" Ash was cut off from speaking at the sight he saw. Brock's makeshift picnic table was loaded with Ash's favorites. It had been such a long time since anyone had done something like this for Ash that he went teary-eyed. "Surprise!" Brock said with pride. "Now before you demolish this work of art I would like to …" Groooowwwwwl. Everyone sweat dropped at the sound of Ash's complaining stomach. "Errr, never mind, eat up!" Ash obliged and ate all he could stuff down his gullet. Ash was just finishing his dinner when he heard his mother and father arguing. "OOOOH NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! You are not staying here!" Mark yelled. Ash sighed; this was going to be a long night. "You don't have a choice. I'm staying with my son!" "I said NO! This is my home and what I say here, goes!" "And you know what I say to that?!!" Ash waited for the bomb to explode. Amazingly, there were some murmurs from the house that no one could decipher. "Ummmm…Ash? I hate to tell you this, but your parents really don't like each other." Ash fell over in his chair. Brock was standing but did the same thing. Trust Misty to state the obvious. "What gave it away, Sherlock?" Ash moaned inwardly at this snap. Ash was about to get pounded when Mark roared Ash's name. "Ashura!" Misty, Brock and Pikachu jumped together. Ash was used to Mark's growls by now. "Coming!" Ash called back. Pikachu jumped onto Ash's shoulder, predicting that Ash would need him in the next few minutes. "Nice knowing you," Misty teased. Ash rolled his eyes and went into the house to find his parents in the kitchen. Mark was on one side of the room and Delilah was on the other. "What's up?" Ash asked nervous. Mark cast an accusing glance at Delilah and growled his response. "Your mother has decided to grace us with her presence. She'll be in my room." Ash knew what was coming next. "So I get the couch," Ash finished for Mark. Mr. and Mrs. Ketchum gave a confused glance at Ash. "Misty and mom get your room. Brock and dad get my room and I get the couch." "You'll never get a wink of sleep on that couch," Mark growled. "And it doesn't look like you got a wink of sleep last night either," Ash quipped. "I'd rather be grumpy from lack of sleep than you grumpy from lack of sleep." So when it came time for bed the girls got the master bedroom, Mark got Ash's room and Brock insisted on sleeping in the living room with Ash. "Night Ash, night Pikachu." Brock curled up in his sleeping bag. "Pikachu, Pika pikapi." Pikachu replied to Brock. Pikachu was firmly snuggled on Ash's stomach. "Night!" Ash didn't really feel like going to sleep. Ash finally had his pokemon friends back, mom was here and his old friends were back. Ash was so happy that he went to sleep with a smile on his face. Ash's dreams were one's he had as a kid. Dream Sequence Ash was running. It was sunny, the grass was green and the morning smelled of dew. Ash was a kid again running in the most beautiful places in the forbidden grove. Ash was laughing happily as the dream form of Digger tackled him from behind. Ash was wrestling with Digger when all of his pokemon friends joined in, even friends who were gone. Squirtle, Charizard, Butterfree…even Primeape was there. "Ashura," a voice whispered. Ash's dream self smiled at the voice. "Ashura, you've grown up now. The forest will always welcome you. Be happy my friend." Ash continued to dream about his friends until… End Dream Sequence "Ash! Wake up!" Misty growled for the third time. Ash's eyes fluttered open just as Misty grabbed a pillow and… "Mis- phumph!" Ash was hit with the pillow mid word. Ash sat bolt upright making Pikachu roll onto his lap and waking the pokemon up. "Finally! I've been trying to wake you up for the past five minutes." Misty growled. Ash was about to snap at her when he realized she was still in her P.J.'s. Ash stretched out and yawned when he realized it was still in the middle of the night. "What're you doing? It's the middle of the night!" Ash said in an annoyed tone. "Pi, Pika!" echoed Pikachu. Misty sat down next to the couch so she was eye level with Ash. When Musty tool Ash's hand, he head to struggle not to squeak but he did blush. "I-We were all very worried about you Ash," Misty said seriously. "And we still are. Ash, are you all right? You don't seem to be yourself." Ash suddenly found himself on the defensive. "I'm fine. Why shouldn't I be alright?" Ash asked suspicious. Misty shifted uncomfortably to the left, nervous about what she was going to say. "Well, it's this place and ummm… your father," Misty said softly. Pikachu could see Ash's eyes burn when she said 'father' in a sympathetic tone. "What's the matter with my father?" Ash asked, trying not to growl. Pikachu could almost hear the fight now. What she is trying to say Ash is that your father is having a negative influence on you." Misty and Ash heard Brock roll over in his sleeping bag to become part of the conversation. "And we're not sure if we like it." "What are you guys talking about?" Ash asked more than a little confused. Misty shook her head at Ash. "Ash, I've seen you save the world at least twice. You've gone up against Team Rocket more times than I can count. You've stood up to bullies, saved pokemon from ruthless trainers and helped others in need," Misty said with a sigh. "So why, WHY are you afraid of your own father?" The question stumped Ash. "You don't know him like I do," Ash said hesitantly. "He's a lot scarier than you can imagine if angry and he has such a short temper." "Pikachu?" Pikachu asked. "Pika! Pika-chu' pi pika pi." Pikachu had sparks flying out from his cheeks. "Waaaa! No Pikachu!" Ash grabbed Pikachu before it could bound off the couch to go shock his father. "I'm not afraid of him hurting me," Ash said trying to calm down Pikachu. "Then what are you afraid of?" Brock asked impatiently. Ash let go of Pikachu for a moment and sighted. There was a silence in the room. "I can't tell you that, not yet," Ash said in a small voice. Misty and Brock were shocked. Ash had been traveling with them for a long time; they had counted Ash as their closest friend. They knew Ash would never keep anything from them, unless it was too important. "Are you sure?" Misty asked with concern. When Ash turned over to stare at the inside of the couch, his friends knew the discussion was closed. Misty crept back into the master bedroom. Brock went back to sleep but Ash was wide-awake. 'I'm afraid of my father for the same reason I'm afraid of everyone else. I'm afraid I'll hurt you if I tell you my secrets.' "Pikapi?" Ash looked down at Pikachu and realized something. Pikachu wasn't human. Pikachu wouldn't be able to tell anyone human. Pikachu might even understand Ash's secret life. Ash silently slipped out from under the covers and picked up Pikachu. "Pik-." Ash put a finger on Pikachu's mouth and shook his head. "Don't wake the house," Ash whispered. Ash still wasn't sure if he was doing the right thing. Ash slipped on his clothes, found his poke belt, put on his backpack and silently walked out the door. "Pikachu, pikapi?" Pikachu finally asked once they were a safe distance from the house. Ash set down Pikachu and sat down on the ground. "Pikachu, I'm about to let you in on the biggest secret of my life." Pikachu looked at Ash worried. "Yes, it's the reason I fear my father; but it's a bit more complicated than you think." "Pika?" Pikachu jumped onto Ash's lap and stared up into Ash's eyes. "My father doesn't err… approve of pokemon trainers. He thinks we're cruel to you pokemon. I'm afraid of what father would do if he found out what I've been doing for the last three months." 'And most of my young life,' Ash added in his head. "I've been training pokemon. Pikachu, you're not the first pokemon I've been in contact with." Ash knew Pikachu would take it as quite a shock. "PI!?!" Pikachu said in alarm. Pikachu quickly scanned Ash's face to see if he could find any indication that Ash was lying. Pikachu 's ears wilted. "I was very young when it happened. I was lost and a pokemon found me. Instead of being afraid, I was happy. The pokemon liked me, so we kept right on playing together, soon we had other pokemon join us." Ash could see Pikachu's mood suddenly change from depressed to excited. "Pikachu-pi-ka-chu? Pikapi?" Pikachu checked the surrounding area by listening with its ears. Ash snickered when Pikachu asked where they were. "They're not here, silly. My dad would've found them a long time ago if they stayed near the house. Would you like to know my secret?" "Pikachu!" Pikachu bounded onto Ash's shoulder happily and struck a peace sign. Ash got up from the ground and giggled. "You might be sorry you said that." Not five minutes later, Pikachu was regretting having said yes. Pikachu was being thrown around like a rag doll. Ash head gotten so in shape in three months that Pikachu couldn't keep up with him. Ash's backpack was full so… "Pika!" Pikachu was being somewhat carried by Ash. Ash was running like a maniac, dodging tree limbs, bushes and other forest obstacles. Ash had to toss Pikachu up in the air a few times, catch the pokemon just to throw him up in the air again. When they came to Ash's first pulley system, Pikachu fainted because they went off a 100foot cliff. By the time they reached the tree house, Pikachu had swirls for eyes. "Pikachu?" Ash shook his pokemon gently. "We're here." Pikachu's first conscious sight in the last hour was of Ash smiling. "Pi?" Pikachu shook his own head and woozily made his way onto Ash's shoulder. When Pikachu finally focused, Pikachu saw an amazing sight. It was a huge tree house. "Well, what do you think?" Ash asked. Pikachu never saw such a huge tree house before. It covered the entire tree with rope, plastic and wooden planks. "Piiii" Pikachu was in awe when Ash suddenly jumped onto a log, launching the pair at a rope. Pikachu hung on for dear life as Ash climbed up the rope. When Pikachu saw the inside, he knew Ash had built it; only Ash could imagine a tree house like this. It was a mess! "Alright, you're about to meet my childhood pokemon friends. There's Digger, Blue, Magic and Arrow." Ash paused for a moment. "Err- don't be surprised about anyone and shock them. They're all rare pokemon." "Pika." Ash pulled on a rope and a trapdoor swung open. Ash let out a high-pitched whistle. When a growl responded, Pikachu jumped under Ash's hat. "It's alright Pikachu. It was just Magic." Pikachu's head came up along with Ash's hat. Ash pulled a string over the trapdoor and a rope ladder appeared. Ash climbed down with Pikachu attached to his head. "Dra-tini?" Once Ash was down in the beginning of Crystal Lights, Pikachu was in too much awe to be nervous. Blue splashed up to see a yellow fur ball on Ash's head. "Hi Blue. This is one of my pokemon from my pokemon journey. Meet Pikachu." Pikachu jumped down from Ash's head to properly meet Blue. Before Pikachu hit the ground, there was a huge splash behind Blue as Magic popped up behind the small water dragon. There was also a flap of winds and a small breeze. "Pi?" Pikachu's mouth hung open as the aeradactyl landed on the Gyarados' head. Ash waved a hand in front of Pikachu's startled face. *Translator on* 'A Dratini, Gyarados and an Areodactly. Ash wasn't kidding when he said they were rare!' Pikachu realized he was staring and shook his head. "Hi, I'm Pikachu. Pleased to meet you." Pikachu held out his paw to Blue when another yellow blur ran in front of Blue. Pikachu was doubly shocked to see a Larvitar there. "Would you protect Ash with your life?" Pikachu was nearly bowled over by the question. What kind of a question was that to ask someone you just met? "Of course I would! What kind of a question is that!? I was his starter pokemon after all." "Pikachu, these are Digger, Arrow, Magic and Blue," Ash said, interrupting their conversation. "You know, you're not that strong to be a pokemon trained by Ash," Digger said after sizing Pikachu up. Pikachu was immediately angry. "What was that!?!" Pikachu growled, sparks flying from his cheeks. Digger crossed his front paws and motioned to the pokemon behind him. "We've all been trained by Ash and look at us. Magic's evolved, Blue's learned attacks only Dragonites are supposed to be able to learn," Digger's voice went into a low grow, "and I'm not someone you want to mess with." Ash became concerned by the way Digger and Pikachu were acting. "What's going on you two?" Ash asked a bit nervous. "You on the other hand, look as soft as a Pichu and slow as a slowpoke. Does Ash just keep you around for laughs or just because you just look cute?" Digger asked snidely. "Why you- I'll show you who's weak!" Pikachu began to spark when Blue went between the two quarrelling pokemon. "That's enough! Remember the rules Digger. Any pokemon who would protect Ash with their life is not out enemy." Digger and Pikachu backed off for a second. "He may not be my enemy, but that fluff ball sure isn't my friend." With that said, Digger simply turned to Ash. *Translator off* "Introductions over? Perhaps you would like to meet the rest of the gang?" Ash didn't notice the envy on his old friend's faces when he unhooked all of his pokeballs. "Come out everyone." "Baaay-leef!" "Cynda!" "Ooowl!" "Totodile!" "Bulba!" Arrow, Magic, Blue and Digger were introduced to Ash's pokemon. Surprisingly, Digger got along fine with the rest of Ash's pokemon. Bayleef especially liked Digger because it seemed to not like Pikachu either. Ash watched his pokemon mingle and smiled. 'This is just perfect. I wish we could stay here forever.' Ash cut off the train of thought when he realized what time it was. "Yipe! Pack everything up guys! We have to get home and I mean now!" Ash recalled his pokemon and bid farewell to his other pokemon friends. Arrow and Magic simply went off before Ash left when Pikachu perturbed Digger. "Pika! Pikapi-pika-chu-pikachu!" All Pikachu said was a good bye and that they were leaving. Digger envied Pikachu so much because it was bale to go with Ash and Digger wasn't. 'Almost forgot my pack.' Ash picked up his bag and realized that he still had scrap in it by how heavy it was. Ash hoisted his bag on his back and picked up Pikachu. "Bye!" Ash called out. Ash didn't expect and answer and wasn't disappointed when there wasn't a reply. Ash simply liked the echo the caves threw back at him. A short hour (and a dizzy Pikachu) later Ash was back at home doing his chores. "Groooooooowl!" Misty woke up to the sound of her stomach grumbling. Misty rolled over in the bed and found herself searching for her clothes. Once Misty was dressed, she stepped out into the hallway. 'What's that?' Misty was assaulted with an assortment of delicious smells wafting from the kitchen. 'Brock must have made breakfast.' Misty left the bedroom door open to go find out what those delectable smells were. "Wow!" Misty saw the dinner table filled with the most appetizing food she had ever seen. There were mountains of pancakes, crépés, eggs, and sausages. Misty saw a gigantic bowl of strawberries in the middle of the table and couldn't resist. "Yum! They're fresh!" Misty grabbed a plate when Brock and Mrs. Ketchum walked in. Brock looked like he just got up. "Wow Misty! I didn't think you could cook like this. I should be taking lessons from you!" Brock said eyeing the food. Misty was confused for a moment. "I didn't cook this. I thought you did." Brock looked at the food again. "It wasn't me." Mrs. Ketchum grabbed her own plate and shuffled a sausage onto it. Misty and Brock watched her eat the meat. When she was done with her bite she smiled. "Well this is a rare treat. Mark cooked this up." Misty and Brock's jaw dropped/ Misty came out of shock when her Togepi tapped her lightly. "You're telling us that Ash's father cooked this?" Misty asked Delilah. Brock copied Misty's actions began to dish up as well. "It's his cooking alright. Mark makes a lousy meatloaf but good sausages." Delilah then realized something. "Where's Ash?" Is he still asleep?" Brock took a big bite of pancake before answering. "I'm not sure, I think so. I was too tired to notice if he was up or not. Why do you ask?" "Well, shouldn't we wake him up to eat?" Delilah asked. Misty and Brock gave each other a glance and all three burst out laughing. "You're right. Let's eat." They all took a big bite of whatever was on their plate when they heard the voice. "What's so funny?" Everyone stopped dead and looked at Mark in the doorway, their faces turning blue. Mark was still in his P.J.'s with a housecoat thrown over him. Misty nervously swallowed the food she had in her mouth. "Ummm, nothing…have you already been up today sir?" Misty asked. Misty's stomach did a flip-flop when Mark answered her. "No, why do you ask?" Mark wanted to know with a confused tone. Brock dropped his fork, Misty covered her mouth and Delilah went pale. "What's the matter?" Mark picked up a fork, loaded a sausage on it and took a bite. "It's not the food, so what's the matter?" "It's the cook. Did Ash cook all of this?" Mark gave her a worried look. "Yes, why?" "That's what I was afraid of. Excuse us." Misty, Brock and Delilah left the kitchen in a jog for the bathroom. Mark sat down with his loaded plate and shook his head. "More for me then." Disclaimer: You get the idea. Heh, Couldn't stomach the thought of Ash cooking by himself could they? My favorite part is the very beginning of the chapter with Mark. As my beta reader points out a lot 'that's just evil! I like it!'