"Mr. Mime!" The pokémon chirped in response to a knock on the door.
"Now who could that be?" Delia thought aloud. "We're not expecting any visitors." She walked over to the door and opened it. Her eyes widened in shock.
"Who is it mom?" Ash yelled from the dining room, words muffled by his clearly still full mouth. An uncharacteristically dark look took hold of Delia's face.
"No one important! Just finish your breakfast, I'll be right back." She stepped outside and closed the door behind her.
"You know you're not welcome here, Lance," she kept her voice low and measured.
"I'm sorry Delia," the crimson haired man replied. "It's official league business, I have a letter for Ash."
"You couldn't have sent it by mail like a normal person?"
"Can you fault me for wanting to see an old friend?"
The popping sound of the slap rang out so loud it echoed. "You don't get to use that word."
"You know I never meant for what happened." The champion nursed his stinging cheek. "If you couldn't stop him, what makes you think I could?"
"You promised you'd keep him safe."
Lance sighed. "How many times have we gone over this? How many times have I told you I'm sorry?"
"Not enough. It'll never be enough." The door creaked open behind her.
"Lance?" Ash yelled. "It is you! I almost didn't believe it when Pikachu told me he'd seen you outside."
Delia glared daggers but didn't say anything.
"Why didn't you tell me the Champion's here mom?" He turned to Lance.
"Can we have a battle? My pokémon and I are a lot stronger than the last time we met."
"Champion Master Lance was just leaving. He just came by to deliver a letter for you Ash, but he's very busy."
"Nonsense, what kind of a champion would I be if I couldn't make time in my day for a battle with an aspiring challenger?" Delia found herself doing her very best to kill him with a look, but he flashed her that insufferably confident smile of his before addressing Ash. "Let's have a one-on-one by the river."
"Alright! Pikachu, come on!" With those words, Ash ran off ahead.
"What are you doing?" Delia hissed.
"Relax, it'll be fun. Plus, you wouldn't deny your son a battle against Kanto's champion, would you?"
She glared at him. He'd always been good at this, putting you in a situation where you couldn't refuse. "Fine, one battle."
They made their way to the river following Ash.
Ash's mom went to the side and took on the characteristic stance of a referee.
"This will be a one-on-one battle. There will be no substitutions. Trainers, choose your pokémon."
Ash looked at her confused. He had no clue his mom knew anything about battling aside from what she'd seen watching his matches, but the tone of the words was as level and practiced as any official judge.
Whatever, there'd be time to ask her about that later. He lifted his right arm.
"Pikachu, I choose you!"
"Pika-piiii!" The electric mouse ran down his arm and jumped onto the improvised battlefield.
Lance pulled out a pokeball, face entirely neutral.
