Pokemon: Modern and Native

Chapter 2 - Home Again, Home Again.

   "Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Viridian City Airport. Please gather your belongings and exit the airplane."

   "Pika-CHUUU!!" The electric mouse Pokémon let out a thunderbolt on a sleeping Ash.

"Aah! Pikachu!! Why'd you do that?!" Ash yelled. Several other people on the plane chuckled at Pikachu's antics. Pikachu just gave Ash a look that read, 'If I didn't, you would've just kept sleeping.'

When the front of the plane cleared, Ash got out of his seat, grabbed his luggage, and walked off the plane. He walked into the terminal where he saw Brock and Misty waiting for him. Pikachu leaped off of Ash's head and ran toward the two.

"Hey, Ash!" Brock and Misty called out.

"Hey, guys!" Ash responded.

"How are you feeling, Ash?" Brock asked.

"Honestly? I'm not sure." Ash responded.

"Oh? How come?" Misty asked, suddenly concerned for her friend.

Ash waved the two towards the door as he started walking. "I just wish I could win a league." Ash sighed.

"Of course you do. It's been your life's dream." Misty replied.

"Then why can't I just win one?" Ash asked. "No matter what, I can't win. In Kanto, I lost because Charizard wouldn't listen to me. Then, in Johto, Charizard finally listened to me but I still lost to Harrison. In Hoenn, I was defeated by Tyson's Meowth of all Pokemon. In Sinnoh, when I finally showed promise, I had to face that Legendary-wielding freak, Tobias. Then, in Unova, I got defeated by a last-minute evolution Lucario. In Kalos, I ALMOST made it! I had a great bond with Greninja and almost beat Alain, but he just beat me. And then, just a week ago in Alola. I almost won! It was a great battle and all, but it came so close to me winning, but then it all just came back to slap me in the face with a defeat. I'm just getting so sick and tired of losing all the time."

"Wow, Ash. I've never heard you talk like this." Brock commented. They were out of the airport by now and were making their way to Route 1.

   "Do you know what you are going to do next?" Misty asked.

   "Honestly, I have no idea. I guess I'll just stay home for a while and spend time with Mom and my Pokémon." Ash responded.

   "Well, you know we're always here for you if you need us." Misty assured.

   "Thanks, guys."

   The rest of the walk to Pallet Town was quite peaceful. They talked about what had happened since Brock and Misty visited Alola and there was the occasional calm silence in between. Finally, they came to the final hill with a panoramic view of all of Pallet Town. The trio paused at the top and just took it in.

   "No matter how many journeys I go on, coming back to this view never gets old." Ash comments. Brock, Misty, and Pikachu all nodded their agreement before they continued down to Ash's house.

   "Mom, I'm home!" Ash yelled as he came inside.

   Delia poked her head into the main hallway from the living room and smiled. "Welcome home, Ash! Hello, Misty, Brock."

   "Hi, Delia!" The two greeted.

   Ash went upstairs to his bedroom to get unpacked as his friends talked with Delia.

   "How's he doing?" Delia asked.

   "He's starting to get discouraged," Misty replied. "I'm worried about him. He's never talked like this before."