PREVIEW
Ash and Pikachu had set off once more from Pallet Town onto new adventures. Becoming the World Champion was simply another stepping stone towards the boy's true ambition, to become a Pokemon Master. What adventure would Ash and Pikachu find themselves on this time? The two were very eager to find out. On their path out of Pallet town, the duo eventually came to a split in their path, branching off to the left and right of them. Surely, an adventure awaited along either path, but which were they to encounter? Ash decided to let fate decide for them, taking a small twig in his hand and throwing it to the sky. Shortly after, the twig landed, pointing down the r̵̢͇̖̉̋͝ị̴̺̀̓͝ḡ̶̨̪̞̀́h̵̯̑̽͝t̶͎͈̉́ path. The two continued onwards with their excitement towards the unknown.
~̴̙̓̏͘̚ͅ~̶̢͎̂́~̶̘͚̭̘̀~̷̫̠̀̋̂̋~̵̛̘̚
Part 1
~̴̙̓̏͘̚ͅ~̶̢͎̂́~̶̘͚̭̘̀~̷̫̠̀̋̂̋~̵̛̘̚
A young man sighed sitting at an outside table for a small cafe. "What am I supposed to do now?" He groaned, taking another sip of his water. "All the way to Vermillion city... And the kids been gone for weeks." He sighed again looking up towards the sky. "I can't just go back without at least trying..." He said, speaking to himself. "Maybe he'd still be in Pallet town. Worth a try right?" He said thinking aloud. He finished his water and stood up, grabbing his bag and walked through the busy city, finding the right path to begin the trek to the small town.
̙̓̏͘̚ͅ~̶̢͎̂́~̶̘͚̭̘̀~̷̫̠̀̋̂̋~̵̛̘̚
The young man continued his trek into the routes of Kanto, unable to ignore the sights of his travels. He had not been able to travel much, nevermind even outside of his home region. Even just the sights of trees and wild Pokemon felt new yet nostalgic for him. He continued on through the quiet route, until he heard someone rapidly approaching ahead. He stopped for a moment, accessing the noise. Someone was running his way, most likely a trainer off chasing some wild Pokemon he thought. The vision within his head of the idea gave him a slight chuckle. Suddenly he could hear more than just someone running in his direction.
"I'm going to get there first!" He heard a boy yell off in the distance. "Pika!" A Pokemon cried seemingly in response.
Shortly thereafter, a Pikachu went running past the man, continuing along the path he had just walked. The man stared back behind him watching the Pokemon run as fast as it could. "I'll catch up, just you watch!" He heard the boy call out again, turning back around to see a young boy go running past just as the Pikachu had. He watched the boy run past, stunned with shock for a moment. "Ketchum?" He asked in complete surprise to run into the boy he was looking for by complete coincidence. The boy stopped turning around to face the man, Pikachu had as well, running back towards its trainer.
"Yeah, that's me." He replied, Pikachu jumping onto his shoulder, replied as well, "Pika Pi!"
"Oh thank Arceus..." The man sighed in relief.
"Is something wrong?" Ash asked the man, confused with his reaction.
"You see, I was sent to Vermillion to talk to you, turns out I had missed you there. I was on my way to Pallet town to hopefully talk to you there, but seems luck was on my side for once though." He said with a small laugh.
"You must've come from a long way away huh... What were you looking for me for?" Ash asked with a puzzle expression, one Pikachu shared.
"I can explain on the way to the next town. I'll walk with you." He replied, thankful to not have to continue a wild Swana chase.
"Alright, that's fine with us." Ash said continuing on. "Pika!" Pikachu said with agreement as they continued their race running off on ahead.
"I said walk not run!" The man yelled out as they sprinted off, letting out a sigh as he carried on.
The two continued onwards to the next city over, the man eventually catching up to the energetic duo. "You see, I was asked by Doctor Roberts to ask you for assistance. I'm uh... His intern? I don't really have a title, but I help out him and his assistant." The young man explained to Ash. He wore worn jeans, that looked as if they had sen better days, along with a black tee that seemed just as beaten up. He had glasses upon his face, covering his gray eyes, along with messy dark hair. For someone on official business, appearance was seemingly not one of his priorities. Luckily for him, Ash did not care all that much.
"What does the Doctor want my help with though?" Ash asked curiously what he would be sought out for.
"Well, the doctor saw the Masters Eight. Your ability to use different abilities with your Pokemon really peaked his interest. Learning you are the Alolan champion and now World champion as well, he was certain you'd be perfect." The man further explained, still leaving Ash and Pikachu very confused.
"Pika?" "I'm confused about how the two connect." Ash asked, still lost on the idea.
"The doctor is researching possible medical properties within mega energy. It's able to give Pokemon superior strength, he hopes perhaps it could have similar uses for humans needing the help. Like a steroid of shorts." He began to explain, "Seeing you take on Dynamaxing and Z-Moves as well, he wondered if there's any opportunities he could be missing with those as well. Essentially Ketchum, he simply wants to observe and learn from you. You could help save a lot of people if this leads to medical breakthroughs like he hopes."
Ash stayed silent for a moment. "He really thinks it's possible to unlock the potential to do a lot of good with my help? Wouldn't the Tower of Mastery make more sense for research help?" Ash asked, he was always up for a battle, but was he truly the most helpful in this case.
"Honestly, that was my question too. Ten year old boy? That's who he thinks can help achieve a breakthrough? But yes, He really does think you're the best chance the world has of unlocking these medical secrets." The man said simply, still looking ahead on the path. "The Tower of Mastery ignoring his requests I'm sure has nothing to do with it..." He grumbled quietly to himself.
"...Hey, what's your name anyway?" Ash asked him, not catching it before.
"Huh, oh, right. My name is Will." He said casually.
"It's good to meet you Will." He said with a smile. "Pika!"
"Likewise Ketchum. If you don't mind me asking, where were you heading anyway?" Will asked, his curiosity nagging him.
"Oh! We were heading to the airport to set off on a new adventure." Ash explained with excitement.
"Ah, a champion never stays idle huh? Where to?" He asked, making conversation.
"Oh, we hadn't decided." He said simply, making Will stop in his tracks. After a moment, Ash and Pikachu realized, looking behind them confused.
"You- were going to the airport. Having no idea where to actually go?" Will asked, certain he misheard the kid.
"That's right! We were positive we'd get a sign on where to go." Ash said with a cheer.
Will scoffed. "Well... I guess in a way your prediction could be correct..." He said continuing to walk, "If you would come to the Kalos region of course anyways." He said with a small laugh.
"Well..." Ash said thinking about it. "If we could help out the Doctor...We could stop by before heading off on a further adventure together. Right Pikachu?" "Pika!" His faithful partner said in agreement.
"Great! Honestly thought this was a long shot but, look at you and him proving me wrong. We can be on the next flight out to Lumiose. Once we get there anyway..." He said with a half hearted laugh, tired from all the walking.
Ash looked at the man curiously, suddenly making a realization of something on his appearance he had missed. "Is that a Mega Ring?" He asked with excitement.
"Huh?" Will said caught off guard, looking down at his wrist. "Uh, yeah. It is- You heard the whole part of 'researching Mega Energy' right?" He said, unsure where this conversation was going.
"Does that mean you're a trainer as well?! You must have some experience!" Ash said with further excitement.
"I, well..." Will said, trailing off, stopping in place again. "I haven't. Y'know, properly... battled. In a very long time. So, not much of one at the very least." He said honestly.
"You haven't? Surely you must practice with your Pokemon right?" Ash asked, very interested in Will's response.
"Well, yeah. I won't go calling myself a bad battler or anything, but I haven't had a real trainer battle in, well, forever." He explained.
"Then let's change that!" Ash said with glee, Pikachu sharing his excitement.
"Huh?" Will said, unsure of where this was going.
"We can battle! It's the only way to know how rusty you actually are right?" Ash said, explaining his logic.
"I- don't know. We-" "Come on Will. No trainer turns down a good battle! Besides, a break from walking can't hurt right?" He said with encouragement.
Will's eyes lit up a tiny bit, before scoffing with a sly smile and a sigh. "Fine Ketchum. I'll entertain you. Do not think being world champion will discourage me here." He said confidently, grabbing a PokeBall from his backpack.
"Wouldn't dream of it! Come on Pikachu, let's have some fun!" Ash called out, Pikachu leaping in front of him onto the path, as if it was a makeshift battle arena. "Pika-chu!"
"Alright Absol, let's show them what we've learned." Will called out releasing his partner onto the path before him. "Sol!" It cried out.
"An Absol! This will be a fun battle I'm sure!" Ash said bursting with excitement. "Was Absol your first partner?" He couldn't help but ask his opponent.
"...No, Absol in fact was the last Pokemon I captured... Regardless of that fact, I'm confident in our battle abilities. The world champion as a first battle? I'm sure Absol's ready for it." Will explained, shaking off some unease.
"That's the spirit! Pikachu, use Quick Attack!" Ash called out to his partner, starting the battle quickly with anticipation.
Will watched the incoming attack calmly, seeming to react little. Despite Pikachu rushing towards Absol faster and faster, he seemed clam and calculated. Soon after, Absol jumped back from its spot making Pikachu miss his attack, landing onto the ground just before it.
"Wow! You and Absol are totally in sync aren't you!?" Ash asked with interest and excitement.
"If... that's how you wish to refer to it. Absol is very capable in battle even without command. We haven't battled all that much together, but he's made that much quite clear." Will explained to the boy, seeming confused by the intrigue.
"Alright then, use Quick Attack again and again Pikachu! Find an opening!" Ash called out to his Pokemon. "Pika, Pika!" It cried as it bolted off in many directions, Pikachu ran so fast the quick attacks could've been mistaken as Double Team. The attack could come from seemingly any direction at this point. "Go for it! Thunderbolt!" Ash called out as Pikachu readied the attack. "Pik-a-CHUUU!" The Pokemon cried, launching the bolt of lightning straight towards Absol, who would not be able to dodge in time.
Will realized this quickly. "Absol. Protect!" Will called out, giving his first command as a Pokemon trainer in a very long time. "Sol!" It cried as the attack struck its location, leaving a dust cloud in its wake, making it harder to see the outcome.
"Night Slash!" Will commanded before the dust could clear. "Ab-sol!" The pokemon cried with a glow coming from within the dust cloud, and a slash of light came flying out, making contact with its fast moving target.
"Pika!" It cried out in pain from the attack. "Pikachu!" Ash called out to his partner concerned, "You alright buddy?" "Pika Pi." He replied, still ready to battle on.
"You'll have to do better than that Ketchum. Our guard won't be lowered that easily." Will said with genuine excitement on his face, something distracting him from his cracked keystone upon his wrist beginning to glow.
"I'm glad you're getting into this! But we are too! Pikachu use-" "Sucker Punch." Will said cutting off the boy, Absol lunging at Pikachu in a sprint catching it off guard, knocking the Pokemon back once again.
"We may not do that much damage, but if you keep letting Absol's attacks connect they will wear you down eventually." Will explained to the boy, still oblivious to the stone upon his wrist glowing more. "I forgot- I forgot what this was like. The thrill of battle, the strategy, the satisfaction. Don't let up Ketchum! I've been waiting for a good challenge!" Will exclaimed, completely lost in the battle, he was like a child rather than the man he appeared as.
"Right. Let's go all out Pikachu!" Ash exclaimed. "Pika!"
"Us too Absol. Let's go-" Everything froze in that moment to the young man. His keystone sparked from leaking energy due to its wear and damage.
His mind went blank, his body grew weak, falling to his knees in an instant, the ground soon after. He heard something, quite faint, seemingly in the distance unable to decipher any of it. Will grasped his head. He gasped, the pain overwhelming him completely. He could make out what sounded like whispers far away, unable to hear over a growing sound of static.
"̶͚̫̣̆̿͘D̶̨̲͔͍̙̜͊ā̸͓̲̒͂̎̕t̸͉̰̠̥̲̂͆͂̕ȁ̷̧̠̤̜̤͔́̓̕ ̶̬͖̖̳͉̐̄̓́̔l̷͚̹͖̜̔͐̃͝o̶̧̬̠͓̍̏̌̕ǵ̸̖̼̯͇͒̂ ̶̣̰̺͔̯͋̏͝t̸̯̤̃w̴̹̳͐̈̓̊̅̃ơ̴̼͙̦̫̻̊̅̄̕ ̸̳̟̤̪̿́h̷̢̠͖͙̗̎̿̈́̕ǘ̶̥̝͎̳́̈̏̾͜n̵̥̰̍̓̐̊̀d̵̪͆r̵̯̥͈̙̖͍̾e̶̛͖̳̥̎͌̈́͌d̵̨͔̥̓̉̑͝͠ ̶̳̽́̾ā̸̺̰̙͐́̃͝ǹ̸̪̞͂d̶͚̝͓̓͜ ̶̻̱̾͛͑͗͠͠t̵̛̮͓̭̙̅͊̀͆͠ĕ̵̻̰͙̬̘ͅn̴̯̘̎.̸͔͚̣͖̅̕͝ ̵̮̠̥͜͜͠Ę̴̪̻͎͚̆̈̄̈́͂́ͅx̷̱̦͙̽p̷̖̦͓̑e̴̺̞͛̀r̷̲̜͔̤̘̿̌̓͠ĩ̴̧̧̭͇͇͓ṁ̸̢͕͖̊͗͊̚ĕ̴̞̲̰͕̗͔n̸̢̗̭̘̫͓̄͐t̶̡̟̣͚̑̓̍͂̿͘ͅ ̸̧̹̲͇̞̋́̍͘n̴̡͓͙̿̀̒͌u̷̮͐m̵̢̯̗̮͖͓͋̚͠b̷͎̪̳̖̞̋͑̉̈́̏́ḙ̵͚̹̠̇̕̚͠r̴̡̥͆͌ ̷̛̥̜͛̊̎̎F̴̨͔̬͓́ḯ̴̛̱̬̭͍̞̽͛͝f̸͕͙̙̩̪͇̐̿̈́̌̋t̵̫̗̤͉̻̿͜e̵̠̊ë̷̤̠̤̻̥́̌̋̍ñ̴̪̹̺̩̦.̷͉̤̮̉̂̀̕ ̶͓͈̹͈̓̉Ĺ̵̠͆̾̽͘͠i̶̠̫̩̔̽̓̔̐v̷̧̺̓̅̑̚e̶͎͊͊̇̂̀͝ ̸̪̺̝͎̒ͅs̷̯̬̈́̃͝ų̷̛̻͛͐̐b̷͍̰̍̔j̷̙͛́́è̴̠͖̤̅c̵̩̯̤̣̈́͑͂͝͠ţ̷̣̭̪͓͎́̀͆͌ ̵̛̜̒̀ͅn̵̢͕͉͌͒̿ừ̴̙̞͔̟m̷̨͓̳̹̘͍̂͑̋̅b̷̡̤̫̫̈́̒͝ě̷̖͙͂̐͋ŕ̶͈̤̾̔̿͐͐ ̶̢̣̤́̒́̈́̈́̔f̷̠̹̱̊̉̎̉̂ȉ̷̧̛̙̯̐́̿̚v̴͙̀̏e̸͍͇̍̈́̇̚͝.̴̥̦̼̗̉̋̓̈̓̑ ̶̨̧̖̤̺̣̐E̸̜̔v̵͚̈̈́a̴̼̒̎̈́͠͠l̵̨̬͙̰̒̀̅̃͝u̴̫̔̄a̶̪̟̐́͛̽ẗ̵̨̞͔͙͕̘̎̆̾͝i̵̹͠ņ̷̜̟͋̀̈́͝ǵ̶͔̲͍͚̝͛͆͠͝ ̴̨̢͇͕̺̀̌͂̈ṿ̷̲̘̜̹̀̂̓͜ǐ̵̱͌ṭ̸̿̒ā̶̡̙̼̗͍̾̏ľ̸͔̰̲̹̆s̶̘͍̈́̇̏̊͋̏.̶̞̄͒̑̈ ̴̝͇̫̘͎̯̾͝I̶͈̘͒̉̓n̷̨̧̈̓̃͝ͅj̶̡̧̙̭͖͗̈́̀͒̑͝ḛ̶̝̯̌c̴̢̛̗͕̱͚̭͋̿̆͑͠t̷͙̰̩̓͋̍ĩ̷̮͖̜͓̳͒͗̽͛͠ò̶̙̝̩̣͎̃̕ͅn̴̢̛̑̑̀̎ ̶͙̲͘͜ǎ̴̡͍̈́͑̈́͛͊ṗ̵̩̲̪p̸̞̯͚̃͂r̸̞͈͖̣̀̔̍o̸̢͍͓̣̒̿͘x̸̛͎͒̀͋i̷̪̥̬̠͂̓͝m̷̢̯̩̅͑̿͘a̴̮̱̞̝͑t̴̢̧̮̘̞̒̅̇ȩ̴͇̹̞̅́͗͂̓́l̸̡̯͇̈̆y̷̛̳̠̌̀͛ ̷̝̥̠̯̈̏̄͘̚ͅͅt̷̮̒̒͑̿̈h̴̢͕̖̀̀̑ȋ̴̧̳̱̰̀̐ř̸̖̹̠͚̣͖̅̍ẗ̵̹͕͆y̸̖͕͇͍͔̖͊̈́̆̌͠ ̶̭̩̞͉̼̓m̴͖͓̰̼͈͉̾̿͑͘͝i̶̙̓͒͑ņ̴̡̨̩̉́̾͘͜ṷ̵̧̢̺̈͐͛͛̀ţ̴̗̉͌̆ͅe̶̱̎͂s̵͙͛̀̀͌͝ ̸̦̞͓̲̠̩͌̐͊͂a̶̫̭͛̿̋̋̒g̵̱͖͋̆͝o̶̙̣̺̻͒.̶̠̦̉̌̌̕ ̶̡͛̌̈́V̶̝̺̰̀͛̆͛í̵̠̙̕͝t̴̠̩͓̰̓̃̃̇ͅá̶̛̤̩̭̣̹̾͂̓͜͝l̷͖͛s̵̘̲̆̓͝ ̶̠͝s̶̫̬̈̐͛͝ͅṗ̶̘̞̞͊͂͘͝i̷̜̤͇̭͕̎̚k̶̛̍͋͜î̴̭̟̮̞̌̈̕͘ṉ̷̨̒͒̈́̄̾͐g̴̮̗̙̭̝̈͊̌ͅ ̵̛̦i̷͕̔ṉ̷͈͙̊ ̸̪̩̝͔̋̃́̂̋v̴̮̼̰̟͇̈́͊̿̓ǎ̷̜͉̤̦̩̏̈̀̑̈́r̷͍̭̋̂̐͝i̷̢͉̳̺͌̈́ǫ̸̨͈͚̼͔̈́̏̋̎̉u̷̪̥͍̙͋s̵̛̛̮͂̆̔̃ ̴͎̽̃̄d̵̯̉̓͐ḯ̷͔͎̺̟̌̓͜ͅr̷̆̈́̃͑̽͗ͅȩ̵̛̛͍̲͓͇͐̏̉c̸̘̤̿t̷̳̉̉̅͛̃̂i̷̺̺̫̭̹͉̐͒͌̽͝õ̶̗̭͂̍͠ń̴̢̰̪̤̟̌̈́͝s̷̨̙̱̱̝̀.̷͓̈́͗͛ ̵̫̟̟̫̲̕S̶̖̎̀̍̀̊͠o̷͙͎̾ ̷̣̎̉̀͝͝͠f̶̰̪̩̥̓̓͊̍͆͘á̶͖̝̖̰̏̄͠r̶̡̝̘̺͓͛̈́ ̵̭̞̥̪͐̇̇͑̉̚t̸̡̥̫͎͇͐̎͠͠h̷̼̬͎̟̄e̴̻̜̞͇̳̺͐́̋͠r̴̨̘̪̘̱̣͛e̴̥͋͂̈ ̶͉̲̠̞̝̓̍̾͝͠ͅi̴̬̻̯̼̣͂͂̿͗̕͘͜ș̵͍̽̑̉͊ ̷̠̙̘͔̇̍ͅp̷̡͖͚̳̯̀̃͋̽̕͘r̷̢̫͕͖͒͜ȯ̸̧͈͎͖̞̃g̶̭͊͒͘ȓ̷͈̯̗̬͜e̵̛̹͔̞͙̣͎̍̑s̷̻̺̝̅͘̕͘s̴͓̣̰͛̏̑.̵̢͕̬̭̙̀͘̚"̷̹͙̯͕̼͇̇̒̏́
"Hey!"
"Hey!" Ash yelled, bringing Will back to his senses. "Are you okay?" The young boy asked his opponent, still on the ground. Pikachu watched on with Absol, who looked back at its trainer concerned.
"This... Happens." He explained through the pain, the fuzzy thoughts starting to fade. "It might be best to save this battle for another day." He said remaining on the ground below him, still holding his head.
"You're probably right..." Ash said walking walked over to him concerned. "Do you need ice or something?" Ash said, hoping to help.
"No- no. It's... Starting to go away." The boy admitted. "T-thank you." He said, almost sheepishly. "We should continue on. Hopefully we can make it to town before nightfall, Kalos still awaits." Will said with a sigh, standing up and returning Absol to its PokeBall.
"Are you sure you are okay?" Ash asked once more. "You seemed to go down hard." He explained. "Pika."
"Yeah... My uh, Keystone. It was damaged at some point." Will started to explain walking onwards more. "I hang onto it for the sake of things, but in intense moments it can act up." He tried his best to explain.
"Have you thought about getting another one?" Ash asked him.
"I had. I didn't worry too much since I hadn't battled in so long. I didn't expect to be put on the spot like that." Will said with a soft laugh. "Perhaps something I should more seriously consider after this endeavor." He said mostly to himself.
They continued on, making it to the airport before the sun set like Will had hoped. They both rested on the plane, awakening in another region.
~̴̙̓̏͘̚ͅ~̶̢͎̂́~̶̘͚̭̘̀~̷̫̠̀̋̂̋~̵̛̘̚
"Have you been to Kalos before Ketchum?" Will asked the boy as they walked away from the airport's exit.
"Yeah, me and Pikachu traveled with friends here once. Was a great time exploring the region." He said with excitement remembering his past journey.
"I see. It's good that you should know your way around here. Will explained walking towards a car idled on the curbside. "Here is our ride to the lab." Will said, opening the back of the car and getting in.
Ash and Pikachu followed behind him, sitting in the back, realizing this car had no driver. "Wait, so who's driving?" Ash asked with confusion.
"Ah, this is something Evan had been working on. He's the Doctor's assistant, more of a tinkerer than a doctor. It's not entirely unique but in Kalos there's little like it." Will explained to the curious boy as the car began to drive onwards to their destination.
"That's so cool! Science is so amazing!" He said in wonder at the self-driving car. "Pika Pika." Pikachu added on sharing the amazement.
"Yeah, I suppose it can be neat..." Will said, his smile fading a bit.
Ash and Pikachu notice the small shift in tone. "Everything okay?" Ash asked.
"Yeah. Just, Science you know? So amazing, yet so scary sometimes too..." He said trailing off. "It's nothing to be concerned with. This car is 100% safe, and it's not like you will be helping test medication right? Just get some energy readings and send us on our way." Will explained as if he was calming Ash's nerves, but with the relieved sigh he let out after it, neither Ash or Pikachu were quite sure what he meant.
"You aren't continuing research after this?" Ash asked curiously. He has assumed after being sent on such an important errand Will would be working well with the Doctor.
"No. As I said I'm not much above an 'intern'. I owed the doctor a few favors, this being one of the last. I admire the man and his devotion but this isn't my path to follow. I admit, I'm not quite sure what path I'm looking for either." Will admitted. "I- haven't been home in a long time... I'm starting to think I'll start there and see where my path takes me." Will further explained to Ash.
"I get it. I always enjoy seeing my Mom back in Pallet Town before heading off on a new adventure. Maybe you'll find inspiration at home as you said." Ash said with encouragement. "Pikachu." Pikachu added on with agreement.
"Yeah..." Will said simply, seemingly not wanting to talk further on the subject.
After the car ride, they finally arrived to their destination. Just outside of the quiet Geosenge Town, upon route 10 stood what Ash could only assume was the Laboratory. The building looked ancient yet its clock tower still ticked on.
"Yeah... It does look like it's infested with Ghosts... But I've yet to see one." Will said with a soft laugh, not entirely confident in the humor. "Lots of... History no doubt nonetheless." Will explained, seeing Ash and Pikachu admire the building.
"Is there any reason the Doctor works all the way out here?" Ash asked curiously as they started to walk towards the door.
"I couldn't tell you entirely, although I know he doesn't mind it. Truth be told, the Doctor seems to like being left alone to his work most days. He's obsessive at times at trying to 'crack codes'." Will sighed. "I can't entirely blame him." Will muttered, further catching Ash and Pikachu's attention. "He... lost his wife a long time ago to a sickness, and then, his daughter a few years back. Some kind of illness as well. I've only known him since then, but I can only assume that's what drives him... I only tell you, so we can hopefully avoid the matter inside." Will explained seriously. Ash and Pikachu nodded in agreement, not sure how to respond to that story.
Will opened the door to the building, inside did not give the appearance of a lab, but a home. It should've been assumed that they would live there as well, but it still caught Ash off guard.
"Will? Is that you?" A man's voice called out from another room.
"Yeah Evan. I've got someone with me he wants to meet." Will called back into the house.
A man came from down a hall into the entryway to meet them. "Ah! The world champion! Truly an honor it is." Evan remarked with joy. He was much older than Will, probably in his thirties or forties. Within a lab coat and red tie stood the man with smooth brown hair, and glasses that made it hard to make out his eyes. "The doctor will be so happy to speak with you." He added on happily.
"'Will be'"? Will asked, repeating Evans words back to him confused.
"I'm afraid so. Roberts said he had an important call he had to attend to. I'm not certain what but with his urgency I can only assume it was important... I can't imagine he'd be gone for more than a few days of course... I'm terribly sorry for the inconvenience Mr. Ketchum." Evan said apologetically.
"You can just call me Ash... And I'm sure it's fine. Perhaps I can still be of use until he comes back?" Ash asked, hoping to still help out.
"Evan..." Will said interrupting. "I said I'd help him with this, and then go... Him leaving to who knows where was not part of the deal!" He exclaimed, frustrated.
"I apologize Will. I'm sure he would be here already if he could... That does remind me. The doctor did leave a message for you." Evan explained apologetically.
"What? That he could've just got to Kanto himself at that point?" Will said, further annoyed.
"No Will. Please listen." Evan began, "The Doctor got another call before he had to run out, someone in Hoenn hoping for assistance. The Doctor asked if you could go in his place, and if so whatever debt you feel is still owed is waived. We can handle taking some readings on Mr- Ash's, moves. I promise you, I won't let him add on anymore tasks to you. You've made it quite clear you are ready to leave." Evan said to the young man heartfelt.
Will sighed. "Fine. I go to Hoenn, I come back, and I'm gone." He said simply.
"If that's what you wish. I do appreciate this Will, I'm sure he does too." Evan said thankfully. "Well Ash, there's a guest room I have prepared for you to settle into for the next couple days. I promise we won't eat up too much of your precious time." Evan said to his new guest.
"Thank you. Will told me you all think I could be a big help, so I'm here to do what I can!" Ash said confidently. "Pika!" Pikachu cheered.
"Very well. I suppose I can try to get some initial samples tomorrow while Will is gone. Truth be told, I'm not exactly sure what in particular the Doctor is looking to observe." Evan said with a slight sigh. "If only he'd answer the phone."
"If it's alright with you then, could I tag along with Will tomorrow?" Ash asked the two men.
"What?" Will asked surprised.
"I've been to Hoenn a few times now, I could help you find your way around. You got turned around a few times back in Kanto didn't you?" Ash asked, wondering aloud.
Will scoffed. "I could find my way just fine, Ketchum. I don't need a guide." Will remarked, annoyed at the comment.
"Well, you do want to be in and out as fast as you can correct Will? Perhaps Ash here could help you come back to Kalos sooner." Evan said, explaining his logic.
Will thought for a moment then sighed. "You're right... I'm sure the two of us can handle whatever problem there is and be back here by the afternoon." He thought out. "Alright then, guess you get to prove your Hoenn knowledge after all." He said with a slight grin to the boy.
"Yeah! It will be nice to see it again as well." "Pika-chu!" Ash and Pikachu said happily, more than ready to travel once again.
"Very good. Thank you, both of you. Now, I'll make us some dinner and then you can both get a good night's sleep for an early morning." Evan said happily walking off to the kitchen.
"Alright Ketchum, I'll show you to your room." Will said walking down the hall with the duo following close behind.
This was the beginning of a brand new adventure for all of them, none knowing what laid ahead of them.
̙̓̏͘̚ͅ~̶̢͎̂́~̶̘͚̭̘̀~̷̫̠̀̋̂̋~̵̛̘̚
Nightfall had come once more, the surrounding wilderness stayed silent except for the sounds of distant Pokemon exploring the night.
Will stared at the ceiling above his bed. His room was quite bare to call it his own, even staying there for years, not that he owned much to begin with.
It had been a long day, his new acquaintance was definitely a handful to keep up with. Experiencing someone very extroverted was still something still new to Will. He kept distant from the Doctor, something they did in turn. Evan was nice enough, but a caretaker and a true friendship were quite different.
There was only one person he had truly talked to in years...
He missed the conversations he used to have. The fun and excitement he had left behind. He sighed, closing his eyes. "Soon." He mumbled to himself. "Soon I can go back." He said quietly to himself staring back at the blank ceiling above. He thought of his home and family, a tear coming to his eye.
He would put up with whatever was to come for now, all that mattered to him, was going home.
"Oh? Really now? For real this time?"
The boy frowned, expression shifted towards anger. "Yes. After this errand is done I'll owe that man nothing else. I'll be free to do whatever I wish." He said with a tone of rage.
"Oh yes, because HE was definitely holding you back. You DEFINITELY feel like you owe him. Pathetic."
Will sighed. The voice in his head, while frustrating, was correct.
"You have had many chances to go home. Yet, Always making excuses. If you miss it so much, why, why don't you just go?"
Will looked down, unsure how to respond.
"Oh, I know why... You are scared. Scared to go crying home to mommy. She may be mad at you. Oh boo hoo. Think about nothing else for literal years! But Nooooooo, too scary."
"Shut up." Will said plainly.
"You can lie to everyone else Will, even yourself, but not to me. Remember that."
"SHUT UP!" He yelled with his anger releasing. He closed his eyes, sighing at his circumstances. "I- I have to try." He mumbled."I can't live with what ifs anymore." He admitted. "I need to see them again. I need to explain myself. No matter what becomes of it. They deserve that much." He said almost pleading.
"Then, if those fears become a matter of fact? What's next for us?"
Will shook his head, tired of this conversation. He rolled over, closing his eyes.
"Blame me all you would like Will. As you once told me, we are in this together. Like it or not..."
Will knew the voice was right, he wanted only one thing, for far too long, scared, it would forever be out of reach. The issue however, was he kept pushing it further away. He had only one more thought as the exhausted man drifted into his dreams.
'I miss you.'
̙̓̏͘̚ͅ~̶̢͎̂́~̶̘͚̭̘̀~̷̫̠̀̋̂̋~̵̛̘̚
T̵̨̙̯̣͐̎̎̔ͅö̷͉͕̙̜́͋̽̌ ̷̭̜̔̅͝B̴͈̞̋͂̓e̸̢͙͂̍̈́ ̶̱̏̇̅͌̚C̸͇̻̓̇͆ǫ̶̫̜̖͝n̵̡͍͚̝͊͗̈́t̴̞̱̙̓̊̇̕̕i̵̢̡̯̼̿̕n̵͇̦̫̓͊͠u̵͉̺̝̭̽̓͜e̸͈̳̭͊̂d̸͔̈͐̔...