Thanks For Being There
Part 3

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     Ash awakened to a strange setting, he was no longer in the forest but back in... Pallet Town? He awoke from his bed, dazed and confused. He glanced over at the figure on his pillow. Pikachu! There was Pikachu; sleeping soundly. Even if Ash didn't know what happened he was glad Pikachu was there and okay. His Mom walked in.
     "Mom?" He asked, "Where am I?"
     "You're at home sweetie, remember? You took time out of your busy schedule to visit me. You may be a Pokemon Master, but you're still my little boy," she smiled bringing him breakfast. This must be somewhere in the future, some crazy magic the forest is playing or something. I'm successful and Misty and Brock are no where to be found! Thought Ash. Had Ash's wish came true?
     "Mom... Where are Brock and Misty?" Asked Ash getting out of bed. Delilah thought for a minute placing his food down.
     "Who are they?" She questioned.
     "You mean, you don't know them?" Ash stood up and walked to his mother, "You're not kidding? You really don't know who I'm talking about do you?" Asked Ash studying his mother's puzzled face. Delilah placed her hand on his forehead.
     "Ash... Are you feeling all right?" She asked as Pikachu began to stir, awakening from his slumber. Ash rushed over to him.
     "Pikachu, hey buddy!" Smiled Ash. Pikachu threw him one single glare and went back to sleep. Ash gave him a poke. "Come on buddy, wake up-" Suddenly Ash felt a blast of electricity shooting through him by Pikachu. He let out a wail and fell to the floor. His mother rushed over to him.
     "Ash! Are you sure you're okay?" She asked him with concearned eyes.
     "I don't get it, Pikachu was never like this before on the journey, maybe he's just cranky..." Thought Ash sitting himself in Indian style.
     "Ash, what do you mean 'journey'?" Asked Delilah.
     "That's how I became a Pokemon Master, right? I went on a journey like Gary did and two friends accompanied me," said Ash. Delilah looked down at her son like he was too cute for words and gave a small laugh.
     "Ash, you didn't go on a journey, after almost losing to that trainer from Pewter City, you returned home and we decided you shouldn't go on a journey, it's too dangerous, and knowing you... Well, unless you had someone to get you out of trouble, you couldn't go without being too over-energetic and hard headed, so you applied for Poke'Tech I saved up for it and you went there, sure it was hard for you at first but-"
     "Wait, I didn't go on a journey like I wanted to?" Asked Ash. She looked down at him sympathetically and kneeled down placing her hand on his cheek.
     "No, sweetheart, afraid not, it was too dangerous and no one was there or willing to go with you to help you if you got carried away, no one would agree to be there for you."
     "Misty and Brock would have," mumbled Ash under his breath.
     "What was that, honey?" Asked Delilah.
     "I can't believe I went to PokeTech," Ash grumbled, he recalled how he always hated that school, a bunch of snobs who gloat in their superior study of pokemon battles without witnessing it first hand like Ash always longed to do. Just a bunch of fakes basking in the glow of their intelligence.
     "You were too busy studying for PokeTech tests to pay attention to Pikachu or play with him or get him in a good battle anymore. So slowly, you're friendship with Pikachu began to fade, but it was for the best, Ash," said Delilah. Ash looked back saddened by the strange events, and turned his head over to his sleeping Pikachu.
     "Sorry, Pikachu..." He whispered. Pikachu ignored him and turned over facing only his back to Ash, Ash knew he deserved it, Pikachu must have been angry at him for years.
     "Well, it wasn't all bad, you met a girl," Smiled Delilah trying to lighten up the situation.
     "A girl? Oh, no, was her name Misty?" Ash feared.
     "Who?"
     "Never mind."
     "She helped you become what you are, Ash, sure you thought she was conceited at first but you grew to like her," smiled Delilah.
     "What was her name?" Asked Ash.
     "Giselle."
     "Giselle!"


To Be Continued