This Is Normal

Explanations

"So you've been kidnapped how many times now?" Guzma asked slowly, not sure if he'd heard correctly. "24 Times now. Including just now, because technically you did kidnap me." Ash said, still wearing a smile on his face, which really pissed Guzma off, but Ash wouldn't stop, so he just had to deal with it. Guzma was stunned, mostly because Ash wasn't dead yet. Ash had only been at Team Skull's base for about 4 hours now, but from what Guzma could tell, Ash should have died long before they met.

Based on the very brief explanation of his journey so far, and what happened the first few times he got kidnapped, Guzma realized that Ash had slight separation anxiety (because why the fuck not) towards his Pikachu. Then Guzma realized that Ash's Pikachu was still at the Pokémon school. "Alright, let's bring you back." Guzma said, hoping Ash wouldn't get kidnapped again, although he could tell that it was unlikely. "Ok.!" Ash replied, still not knowing how worried Guzma was.

Then they walked back, well, more like Guzma walked back with Ash thrown over his shoulder. After a while they reached their destination, and Ash and Guzma could hear Kiawe yelling to give Ash back. "I'm returning this. Keep an eye on it, and don't let it go near any strangers. It gets kidnapped easily." Guzma told Kukui, setting Ash down beside him and walking away after. This confused Kukui, but he never really understood Guzma much anyways. "What did he mean by that Ash?" Kukui asked, turning his attention to the kid getting zapped by his Pikachu. "I'm not sure. I always getting kidnapped two times a week was normal, but according to him it's not." Ash said, a smile still plastered onto his face.

Everyone went quiet at this, not sure what to think. "That's- I- No Ash. That's definitely not normal." Kukui said, a sigh escaping his lips. This confused Ash, but it also worried him. He wondered if they didn't like him anymore, if they would decide that they didn't want him and abandon him like his father did. He didn't let his smile falter though. He put to much work into it for it to disappear now.

"Alright, time to go home guys!. I'll see you all tomorrow.!" Kukui said, hoping that this would be the only concerning thing about Ash. "Oh, here Ash. Your Pikachu was really worried about you." Mallow said, setting Pikachu on Ash's shoulder. "Hey Ash, doesn't getting zapped by Pikachu hurt? I mean, getting zapped could kill you." Sophocles said, trying to analyze Ash. "Not that I know of." Ash said, still smiling. "Pika pika!" Pikachu said, looking at Ash.

"Hey Ash, can I borrow Pikachu for the night? So I can run some tests on him tonight?" Sophocles said, his need to know overtaking his worry. "No." Was the instant reply, along with a tense Pikachu. "But-" Sophocles said, trying again. "No. Me and Pikachu go everywhere together. Honestly, that was the first time me and Pikachu have ever been apart. I think he's had enough of being separated from me today. Maybe tomorrow, ok?" Ash said, hiding his panic behind a smile again. Pikachu just nodded in agreement, the two heading back to Kukui's house after.

As Ash was walking home, Kukui asked what Ash ment back at the Pokémon School. A deep breath could be heard from the small boy. "Well, you see, Pikachu has slight separation anxiety." Ash lied, hoping that his professor wouldn't be able to see through him. "Oh." Kukui said, realizing why Ash said no so quickly. "Can I tell the others." Kukui asked, hoping that Ash might say yes. "No. It's a sensitive topic." Ash replied, tensing up a little, a smile on his face none the less.

With Team Skull

"Ash Ketchum. He's the kid with the Pikachu, remember?" Guzma said, trying to explain to his girlfriend the concerning behavior that Ash displayed. "Right. And his behavior is concerning? What could have been concerning behavior for a 10 year old kid? I mean, you did technically KIDNAP him y'know." Plumeria said, trying to convince her boyfriend that Ash was fine. "He asked if he was going to be TORTURED Plumeria. He's been kidnapped 24 times now today, and from what I can tell, he has separation anxiety to his Pikachu. That's not normal." Guzma said, slightly aggravated. "Oh shit. That is concerning behavior. ESPECIALLY for a 10 year old kid. Oh shit." Plumeria said, finally understanding what Guzma had been trying to tell her.

With Ash

As Ash got ready for bed, he became slightly worried. He had nightmares most nights, but he wasn't sure what he did while he was asleep. He hoped that he looked normal, but he wasn't sure. "Alright Ash! Time for bed!" Kukui said, setting up a place for Ash to sleep. "Ok! Coming!" Ash replied, putting a smile back on his face. They said their good nights and went to bed. Pikachu and Ash snuggled close, both having trouble falling asleep. When they finally did fall asleep, they had a nightmare.