While Ash and the girls continued to munch on the cookies Delia went to get them some milk to help wash them down. They made plans for what they’d like to do while in Pallet. Everyone had somewhere they wanted to be and none of them could agree on where to head to first. Casey was ecstatic at the idea of adding some of Ash’s pokemon to her repertoire. She wanted to leave for Dr. Oaks as soon as possible. Misty had decided she wanted to take a dip in the local pool; it had been a long time since she had a good swim. She wanted all four of them, or at least her and Ash, to spend the rest of the day swimming and soaking up the sun. Ash, however, wanted to visit with old friends. He still wanted to talk more to Daisy. Sabrina had felt some mental waves brush against her mind from a young, probably unaware, psychic in the area. She wanted to make them aware of their gift and try to recruit them to her gym. Casey and Misty argued back and forth about heading to the beach or Oak’s lab. Delia came out to serve them their milk than disappeared into the kitchen again. Finally Sabrina stood and excused herself. She’d decided her attempted recruiting was a thing best done alone. She said goodbye and told the group she’d be back at Ash’s house by nightfall. That was fine; Ash didn’t plan on leaving Pallet for a few days.

“Don’t you want his Kingler?”

“Of course but-”

Why don’t we just head to the lab now? I thought you were a serious pokemon trainer!” Casey growled.

Misty gritted her teeth, “I AM a serious trainer! In fact I’m a gym leader thank you very much!” The two girls scowled at each other.

Ash, who was sitting in between them, put up his hands as if to break the two apart, “Hey, come on girl’s please. How about we just go to the lab today and the pool tomorrow? Come on Misty, I’m sure you’d much rather spend the whole day there. Besides I really need to talk to Prof Oak ASAP.”

“But Ash!” Misty whined.

“We can go to the pool tomorrow.” Casey echoed, “Today the lab.”

Misty slumped back in her chair defeated, “Fine.” She huffed, in a grumpy voice.

She folded her arms and sulked. Delia came out and sat back down. They soon finished off the remaining cookies and milk. The three friends continued chatting while Delia remained relatively silent. Eventually when their was a pause in their dialogue Ash’s mom spoke up.

“I’m so happy you’ve come back to me Ash.” Ash turned from Casey to his mother.

“Wh- Oh yeah, well it’s good to be back mom.”
“You wouldn’t believe how lonely it gets here without you. I mean, since your fathers…… Well, you’re the only one I have left. I was afraid I might lose you too.” She extended her hand and lovingly took his in between her index and thumb.

“Don’t worry so much about me mom. I’m fine, and I always will be, I’m traveling with my friends.”

Delia continued as if she hadn’t heard him, “It’s just so lonely and depressing without you. I can hardly get through the day sometimes.”

Delia had even gone as far as to make sure her food looked like Ash. That way she could fake a conversation with her son…… until she got hungry. It was one of the few pleasures she had, pretending to talk to her son. But now he’d come home to her, her little Ashley…. Her VERY little Ashley.

“I won’t have to worry about it any more though.” Ash’s mother smiled at him, “My little boys come home to stay.”

“Well actually mom we were only planning to stay for a little while. You see we’re hunting rare pokemon!”

“Ash, didn’t anyone tell you shrinkees can’t own pokemon? I know it was your dream but there’s nothing you can do now. You might as well just stay home.”

“They aren’t for me though mom.” He smiled up at Misty, “They’re for Mist. We’re hunting down rare water pokemon.”

“……. That sounds really dangerous.” Delia complained, she didn’t want her little sugar pea hunting some of the deadliest naval pokemon known to man!

“Don’t worry so much mom, I’m gonna be fine as long as-”


“You’re staying here” Delia cut in.

“Um, yeah, but only for a few days.” Ash replied, clearly not understanding.

“Not for a few days, forever.”

Though she said the words quietly she might as well of shouted them.

“What?!” Misty couldn’t believe her ears.

“Thank you for bringing him back to me but I’m afraid I can’t having him leaving me again to go wander the countryside. It’s too dangerous!”

“But,” Misty started.

“I’ll hear no buts about it. I’m glad you took care of him for this long but he’s no longer your responsibility.”

Misty and Casey found themselves arguing fiercely with Delia. Ash could hardly get a word in edge wise but when he could it was in Misty and Casey’s defense. He wanted nothing more than to continue on their journey.

“I don’t understand why you need MY son. How could he possibly help you at his size? Why do you want to travel with him so badly?”

Misty quickly answered her.