Time Heals All Wounds, Right?

Mom?

Ash POV/Time Skip: One Year
   I'm currently on Poni Island and I'm just making sure everything is going well. I had recently won the Alola league and now was part of the Ultra Guardians. Lusamine had sent for me because a large amount of Ultra Aura was detected and it looks like another Guzzlord had come through. As I turned the corner we saw Guzzlord still trying to get through the ultra wormhole so I guess we got here just in time. "Pikachu use Thunder to send him back."

Pikachu jumped and released a powerful thunder attack and Guzzlord was shocked back to where he came from. I was fortunate that I was able to learn Guzzlord's weakness, I hope those two are doing alright. I started walking back towards my boat which was at the docks when I heard a commotion. I looked over to my left and saw three Fearow were attacking a yellow spot. Pikachu ran over and used a small discharge to scare the Fearow away and I ran over to see what had happened. On the floor is an unconscious Riolu,but its fur glowed the color yellow. I carefully pick up the Emanation Pokémon in my arms and start sprinting towards the Pokémon Center. Once inside Nurse Joy took one look and immediately asked Comfey to use aromatherapy to help stabilize Riolu.

"Thank you for bringing another Pokémon in need Red." I nodded my head and left to go sit down. A year ago people would call me Ash, but now I go by that of Red, a boy of few words. Lusamine helped me build a small face covering that covers up to my eyes made of some weird technology that can appear and disappear easily so no one knows who I really am apart from a select few. A few hours later Riolu comes walking out holding Nurse Joy's hand. "Your Pokémon is ok and back to perfect health."

"Thanks Nurse Joy but he isn't my Pokémon. I found him injured in the wild and brought him over for treatment." When I finished talking Riolu seemed sad for some odd reason. I wondered, "Hey Riolu want to be a part of our family?"

Riolu slowly nodded and I pulled out a luxury ball and tapped out on Riolu's head and like that a new member had joined my family. As it turns out yellow is the shiny variant of Riolu so I was pretty lucky to have caught such an awesome Pokémon. As fast as Riolu went in he came out. Guess HE and Pikachu are the same and don't like being inside their pokeballs. Pikachu climbs on one shoulder and Riolu takes the other. It was time to head back to the school.

At The Pokémon School
    I walked into the courtyard and saw that no one was around. What are my friends planning? I make my way towards Professor Kukui's classroom. As I reach for the door I can hear giggles and whispers on the other side. I sigh as I reach for the door and as soon as I walk in "HAPPY BIRTHDAY"

"Hi everyone" I said with a small smile hidden under the covering. Lana, Kiawe, Lillie,and Sophocles, Professors Kukui and Burnet. Where is-. "There you are"

I felt a pair of hands wrap around me from behind. "Happy Birthday Ash"

"Thanks Mallow." A small smile appeared on my face. For the longest time I kept my heart closed to others because I was afraid  I was going to hurt or be hurt again. But after a few months Mallow confessed that she liked me, and I got scared and told her that I didn't think I could be in a relationship back then. A few days later Kiawe convinced me to give her a chance and I did, she became my girlfriend and it felt as if part of the void inside me had been filled.

"Don't thank me yet. We still have one more surprise but it's going to be hard to take in." At this I became confused. What could be harder than taking down ultra beasts? I was confident I could handle whatever came my way.

"Let us go then." I replied with a confident nod. We made our way towards the airport. Who is the important guest that's arriving in Alola? My eyes make their way to look at the airport entrance. Mallow grabs my hand and gives me a reassuring smile. I focused my attention back towards the entrance and as soon as the person came out time came to a stop. I just couldn't believe my eyes, it all feels like a strange dream.

"Mom?..." I said in the quietest tone so only I could hear. My grip on Mallow's hand tightened. I watched her come down the steps and it took every bone in my body not to run out, hug her, and beg for her forgiveness. I was just not ready to face her yet. Not through all the pain she went through thinking her only son had passed away.

"Welcome to Alola Delia" Professor Kukui said as he walked up to my mom. "I hope you enjoy your stay, Officer Jenny, can you please escort Mrs. Ketchum here to her hotel?"

"I'm sorry Professor, but it seems that her hotel was overrun by a wave of Rattata and I'm afraid because of that all of the Pokémon Center's rooms are unavailable." Officer Jenny responded quickly.

"She can stay at my house." Everyone turned to look at me with a small amount of shock on their faces, "I will be out in the forest tonight, I need some time alone." Everyone nodded in approval and I headed off to the small forest we have here.

"Thank you Red" my mom said while slightly bowing in gratitude. I respectfully nodded my head and we went our separate ways.

I make my way for a small clearing. I come here whenever I need to clear my head. There is a lot for me to take in right now.  I have to go soon and Mallow knows too. On the day we started I told her that one day this year I would be breaking up with her because I had to go somewhere important and even so she still accepted. And now with my mom here I didn't know what to do. I turned around quickly and called Riolu to my side as the sound of someone stepping on a branch was made behind me. I watched as my mom walked through a bush and with a small smile she said "Hello"

I nod my head as a small greeting. "What are you doing here?"

"I was worried about you so I came to see how you're doing"

"You came all this way to see me? You didn't have to worry Mrs. Ketchum. I come here all the time, it's perfectly safe."

"Oh I know that but," she stopped and walked towards me and with her had reached up and touched my cheek. With a tear down her face she said' "But I didn't come here to see Red, I'm here to see my son."

I looked into my mom's eyes and all the memories came back. When she held me as a little boy, when she helped me when I fell down, when she woke me up to start my journey. I slowly reached up to my face covering and retracted it. More tears fell out of both my mother's and my eyes. We hugged almost instantly. " I'm so sorry mom, for making you worry all this time, for leaving you alone and-"

"It's ok Ash. It's all ok." She slowly rubbed my back. " I know you Ash, I try not to worry but I can't, but I always knew you were alright. You are and will always be in my heart, we will never truly be alone."

I couldn't help but have more tears fall. "I missed you mom"

"I missed you too my little master." With those words I felt at home.