Lucario sat at the end of Ash's bed in his room while he meditated, they had returned to Pallet town the morning after the feast. Mewtwo had teleported Ash along with Gou and Jameson and brought them back home. Mama Delia had been happy to have Meema back home, she may not have been told everything but she knew Ash needed to heal. She had welcomed all of them home warmly and made them feel comfortable and at home. Pikachu and the others had noticed how Ash had not eaten anything during the feast and had coaxed him into having soup at least. Ash had agreed to it and set his plate aside for a bowl of warm soup instead, Red had been worried when Mewtwo informed him and promptly decided to take him home in the morning. Ash had agreed but asked to bring Gou and Jameson along as he had promised them and left after saying goodbye to Jessilina, Misty and Brock who left for their own homes.
Ash walked in after finishing his bath followed by Charmander and Pikachu, "Something on your mind, Lucario?"
Lucario, -A few things, yes, are you alright?-
Ash sighed, "It will be a lie if I said yes. I don't even know what is wrong and why I feel guilty, it makes no sense."
Lucario looked at Ash, -I see, that is a little problematic, do you want to talk about it?-
Ash, "I.. I... I don't even know how to start."
Lucario hummed, -I know that you have knowledge, strange knowledge about things you should not know.-
Ash looked at Lucario wide eyed, "I... I.. "
Lucario continued, -I don't know how you have these knowledge or why someone or anyone will give it to you. Just know that it doesn't change anything between us, you are still my Meema and I love you.-
Ash took a shaky breath in and hugged him, "Thank you, thank you Lucario. I was honestly worried how people would react if they found out I am not exactly normal in every sense of the word."
Pikachu, "Pi pika pikachu Pikapi pika pika pikachu."
Charmander, "Char charmander char char charmander."
Lucario, -Pikachu and Charmander are right, you are you, strange knowledge or not. Now correct me if I'm wrong but you feel guilty because you believe, you know something and could have prevented it, whatever it is and it has to do with Jameson and Jessilina.-
Ash smiled as he sat down on his bed, "It is something like that and I don't know what to feel about it. How did you even find out? I never told anyone."
Lucario, -I always thought your aura was different from the others. Mewtwo confirmed it, he knows.-
Lucario picked up the pokeballs and released the Pokemon before opening the balcony window and the other Pokemon came in, -We are here for you. Anything you cannot tell others, you can tell us. We will keep your secrets.-
Ash rubbed his eyes, "Thank you all of you. I don't know what to say or where to begin."
Milotic, -How about you tell us about us and Jameson first?-
Ash's eyes sparkled, "You can use aura to speak now? That's awesome."
Milotic, -Only you can understand me however as I don't have a bond with other humans.-
Ash nodded in understanding before he launched into an explanation about his memories or rather what he remembered about his past life. He told them about the games that existed in the previous life and how Pokemon did not exist getting an affronted expression from everyone. Ash giggles at their expressions and continues to tell them what he knew about Jessie and James and Meowth. How they would always chase after the anime Ash trying to steal his Pokemon and yet risk their lives for him during crisis and dangerous situations. Ash smiled at Pikachu's flabbergasted expression as he stared at Ash, his own self sounded less jaded and hurt unlike him. Pikachu shook his head, then again they were both younger in that world, here they were older and therefore different.
Ash, "I don't know why I have these knowledge or memories, reincarnation should be impossible yet here I am. All I know is they and us are different, they lived their lives and we are living our lives. Like in that version it was just Ash and his mom, Delia didn't have an older sister and I didn't have Red, I wouldn't know what I would do without him now, you know. He's my big brother and I have known him my whole life. He's literally the father figure I have."
Ash turned to pikachu, "Pikachu, you did not belong to another trainer in that world, the you in that world was younger and definitely more innocent and immature then you right now."
Pikachu puffed up at being the more mature one nuzzling Ash's cheeks, "Pi pika, Pikapi pikachu."
Ash then turned to Charmander and Pidgeotto, "The changes in you guys are obvious, Charmander and Pidgeotto are shiny something they were not there"
Charmander puffed up, "Char charmander!"
Pidgeotto as well, "Otto!"
Ash turned to Fearrow, Milotic and Jigglypuff, "Jigglypuff, Fearrow and Milotic were not even part of the group."
Fearrow looked at him like he just committed blasphemy, "Row Fearrow??"
Milotic looked dumbfounded, -Seriously?-
Jigglypuff puffed up, "Jiggly!"
Ash nodded, "Togepi was Misty's Pokemon."
Togepi was surprised, "Ge?"
Ash turned to Squirtle, "Squirtle squad was not as big as yours over there, Squirtle."
Squirtle looked proud his group was bigger, "Squir squirtle."
Ash turned to Bulbasaur, "Bulbasaur did not have an apprentice, Scyther, who he left behind to protect the village, actually the fact that the Rangers are there is a big change in itself."
Bulbasaur lifted his head proudly, "Bul bulbasaur."
Ash turned to Butterfree and Beedrill, "And of course, Butterfree and Beedrill were not together in that world unlike this one. Congratulations on mating by the way. I heard from the Professor, you have one egg already."
Butterfree trilled happily, "Cree."
Beedrill nuzzled him, "Bzzzzz."
Ash turned to Krabby, "You did not catch yourself in that world rather you were caught."
Krabby gave an eye smile, "Bibi."
Ash turned to Lucario, "And the biggest change, I met Lucario as an egg when I was a child. I don't regret any of these changes, never have, never will."
Lucario, -We don't either. Also you should not be guilty of Jessie and James, those are their real names right?-
Ash nodded, "I know I shouldn't, they are adults for crying out loud. Yet, sometimes when I see the darkness in their eyes I can't help but wonder."
Milotic moved to the bed behind Ash, -Hush Ash, just like you said you are different from him, which means they are different from them as well.-
Jigglypuff hugged him as well, "Jiggly jigglypuff."
Ash, "I know, it just takes time to accept it, heaven knows Misty, Gou, Chloe and Brock are different from their own selves. But I can't help it sometimes especially when they overlap each other."
Mewtwo walked out of the shadows, -I see, so that's what it is, reincarnation.-
Lucario, -Mewtwo!-
Mewtwo, -Apologies for eavesdropping, but Red got worried when you weren't coming down. And I decided to check on you.-
Ash looked at the time, "Oh dinner time already?"
Mewtwo nodded, -Reincarnation, how fascinating.... I'm guessing the book you wrote is part of the memories as well right?-
Ash nodded, "Yes, although I don't exactly remember every detail, I do remember the major events enough to wing it."
Mewtwo smiled, -I enjoy it. It is different from the other books. I have to ask are they real?-
Ash smiled a bit embarrassed, "A compliment from Mewtwo himself, I must be doing something right then. And yes, in their world just like this one they are probably real, with changes of course. I wouldn't know everything, in fact I'm forgetting my past slowly but surely. I don't even remember what I looked like honestly speaking."
Mewtwo frowned, -I see and for the record, there was nothing wrong with you from the start little one. You are just a special existence like I am. Do not think even for a second that you are a freak. Yes, I heard that.-
Ash smiled, "I... Thank you Mewtwo. We should get going, the others are waiting. Mom all my Pokemon came, will they fit?"
Delia from downstairs could be heard, "We can use the bigger dining room dear. We haven't used that in ages."
Mewtwo watched as Ash and the Pokemon left, -Are you going to come out?-
Red came out of his hiding place, "Well I didn't expect something like that. I'm glad though it was not some malevolent entity messing with him. However it seems we need to talk to Jameson, Ash looks too fond of them to do it properly."
Mewtwo nodded, -They are in the clear, I checked their minds although I couldn't probe much they are protected by two Psychic Pokemon. There heart is in the right place however, to protect Ash. That's why they joined him, to keep him safe.-
Red smiled getting up, "Let's go join them then."
Red walked into the dining hall to his mother and aunt talking happily with Jameson about his work and family. While Ash was chatting with Gou about all the new Pokemon he met at the Professor's ranch. Gou was talking excitedly about all the Pokemon he had recorded and collected information on and would add to the growing collection.
Gou, "Are you sure you're okay with me getting Beedrill and Butterfree's egg?"
Ash nodded, "I trust you to take care of them, besides you wanted to know how to care for one right?"
Gou turned to the two bug Pokemon, "Yeah, I do want to know. Are you really okay with this Beedrill and Butterfree?"
Beedrill nodded, "Bzzzzz bzzzz!"
Butterfree, "Cree cree cree."
Ash, "They are saying as long as you don't mind them visiting the little one or bringing the little one over for a visit. No problem."
Gou smiled or rather sparkled, "You got it, I will not let you down."
Scorbunny, "Scor scorbunny."
Gou looked at the egg on the table, "Hi, I'm Gou and I will be taking care of you from now on. Let's become best friends okay."
Ash smiled at his friend, he looked really happy now unlike two days ago when after the incident. He smiled as Red came into the room and sat beside him at the table and Gou went fanboy again over Red. Red gave a sigh and poked Gou's head like he did back during summer camp getting a pout from the young boy. Red laughed at the expression and Ash snorted while the older women giggled, Mewtwo and Lucario grinned at the warm atmosphere while the other Pokemon either played with each other or made themselves comfortable on the human's laps. After dinner Red and his mother left while Jameson went to the guest room and Gou joined Ash in his room after Ash wished the Pokemon who were sleeping downstairs goodnight.
Gou spoke from the extra bed, "Ash thank you."
Ash, "What for?"
Gou, "For bringing us, Jameson and me, here, we needed to get away from Vermillion to digest what happened."
Ash smiled at his friend, "I think we all needed a break, I hope the girls the doing well and Brock too."
Gou, "I'm sure they will be okay by the time we return."
Ash smiled, "I hope so, good night Gou, Scorbunny and Nickits. Night Lucario, Pikachu, Jigglypuff, Charmander, Bulbasaur, Squirtle and Togepi."
Gou, "Good Ash, good night everyone."
Charmander got up, "Char charmander char?"
Ash, "Hmm, you want me to sing? Okay how about a new song."
Ash hummed a tune before he started to sing another lullaby and the words came out from his heart and mind. This time it was the song, 'A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes', the lullaby version. Jigglypuff sang along avoiding using 'sing', even by accident Lucario smiled as he snuggled closer to Ash as he sang and so did the other Pokemon, Scorbunny and the two Nickits were listening as well as they slept snuggling with Gou, thanks to the soothing tune. It helped that Ash learned to sing from Jigglypuff whenever he rotated his Pokemon to train with them. It truly helped Charmander sleep during the really bad nights when simply holding him was not enough. The next day they decided to return back to Vermillion as the four Gym off days Surge gave came to an end. Mewtwo dropped Ash and Gou off at the centre before taking James with him, promising to return him to them later. Ash and Gou nodded and waved them goodbye before meeting up with Brock, Misty, Chloe and Jessilina after telling them where Jameson had gone to.
[A. N.: I love Acacia (Pokemon Gotcha) by Bump of Chicken.
I can't stop listening to it.
It's amazing.
And the visuals!
They are just 💕💕💕💕💕]