Sinking Into Apathy

Arc One : Escape From Pallet : Prologue Part One

Back than, Satoshi would never have expected everything to go downhill so quickly.

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It had been a beautiful early spring morning when one, Satoshi Red Ketchum, had been born to one, Delia Janet Ketchum née Birch and Fire Reeve Ketchum.

Quite the eventful birth. Delia having gone into labor prematurely, was flown to the nearest hospital in Viridian City on the back of Fire's Charizard. The birth lasting over six and a half hours.

At its end, an excited Fire and exhausted Delia, welcomed a seemingly healthy baby boy into their world.

With his mother's flat black hair, pale skin, and black eyes, but his father's face and mischievous personality, Satoshi lived five happy years before it all came crashing down.

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As the sun peaked through the curtains of the Master Bedroom, a soft sleepy smile made its way onto Delia Ketchum's face. Rolling over intent on snuggling with her love, she jolted awake as she was met with cold unused sheets.

Her smile dipped into a nasty frown, as her brows furrowed. She used to pay her husband's absence in bed no mind, however as time passed it was happening more and more frequently.

Now, she was beginning to grow concerned. Had Fire lost interest in her? She was rather conscious of her husband's history as a playboy. Even now she'd occasionally find him flirting with the single women in town. Not to mention his old chemistry with Professor Oak's son, Green, and his childhood friend, Blue.

Even after Blue and Green had married, giving birth to their first child, Daisy Oak. The three of them had kept up their odd relationship with each other though Fire would occasionally still have one-night stands with others.

Of course, this was merely speculation on Delia's part. However she didn't think their relationship could be anything else from the couple's reaction to Delia's pregnancy and Fire's decision to marry her.

The couple had tried to throw a wrench in every single one of her plans, so Delia was pleased when the two finally gave up.

The couple rarely hung around Pallet Town after the announcement that first year. Blue having been pregnant with their second child at the time.

Fire had looked devastated at the couple's announcement of her second pregnancy. But had respected Delia's wishes for him to focus on her and his future son (i.e. for him to stay away from the two).

Delia hadn't been certain pregnancy was the way to go with entrapping Fire, but it had worked surprisingly well. Of course, Fire at first had his reservations as to whether the baby growing in Delia's stomach was his. Which wasn't surprising given his strict track record towards protection during sex.

It had thrown off many of Delia's plans because Fire didn't trust her words that she took all the precautions (of course she didn't but there was no way Fire knew that). His refusal to even have a one night stand with her had left her being forced to rely on more dubious means.

They had worked like a charm however and she ended up pregnant with his child. Now however she was beginning to wonder if a single child was enough to keep her husband locked down.

The thought worried her, especially since Fire had refused to make love with her since she'd gotten pregnant and given birth to his son. Annoyance flared at the memory of being forced to carry the thing for eight and a half months.

It had been a horrible period, with her constantly gaining weight, the stupid thing ruining her petite and slim figure. Out of worry that Fire might ditch her for the ever beautiful Blue and her recently conceived son, Gary Oak, she had looked up ways to induce early labor.

A rather sound decision she decided after the nearly six and a half grueling hours it took to eject the parasite from her, she didn't want to think of how painful it would've been if she'd let it grow anymore.

The first three years after it's birth she could forgive Fire for wanting to focus on training the annoying thing. But the baby was four now! It had enough intelligence to listen to the simple commands of 'Shut up' and 'Scram' as long as they remembered to feed it once in a while it'd survive.

Delia felt they'd been rather lucky considering the things she'd heard from their neighbors about their two year old daughter, Yellow. Fire's son was very quiet and obedient, not to mention the thing was incredibly useful in gaining Fire's favor.

In fact, it was a little too good at it.

Removing herself from the covers, she made her way to the bathroom. She guessed there was one perk to Fire never sleeping in the same bed as her; he never got to see her dreadful morning appearance, ratty static black hair and icky crust beside her eyes. Delia didn't want Fire seeing her look anything less than perfect.

Fixing her makeup and hair, she gracefully descended the stairs intent on serving her wayward husband up with breakfast wherever he was. However as she descended the last step, living room in sight, a scowl washed over her features.

She supposed it was a rather adorable picture, if not for the fact that it contained two dreadful existences she either despised or were coming too.

The coffee table had once again been pushed aside, pressed against the wall to make room for the large orange fire reptile which was curled at the room's center. It's eyes peeking open at her entrance, a small snort of derision exiting with a tiny puff of smoke from its nostrils. She grit her teeth in annoyance at the obvious rejection. Arceus, she hated Pokémon.

Unfortunately it was the one thing Fire would never even consider compromising on, his Pokémon were everything to him. Though she wishes he'd still heed her requests that the beasts stay outside.

However, despite how distasteful having the unruly beast in her living room was, it wasn't as horrible as the other.

Her handsome husband lay sprawled across the couch completely passed out. Wearing a simple black shirt which had hiked up his stomach in his sleep, revealing clean muscles, and a pair of baggy sweats. Soft snores resounding from him, his left arm hanging off the couch, while his head rested uncomfortably on the couches shoulder, leaving him with terrible bed head.

Most despicable however was the beautiful image being utterly ruined by the high-maintenance parasite cuddled to her husband's chest while his right arm held it securely in place.

It infuriated her. Although she was pleased with its lack of attachment to herself, the same could not be said for its attachment to her husband. The thing was constantly demanding his attention, leaving her ignored.

Delia was beginning to think some discipline was needed to show it who was in charge. Unfortunately that would have to wait until she received Fire's compliance, or he was off running an errand.

Her husband, and even his rude Pokémon, seemed to adore the icky parasite. No matter, she was sure they'd grow annoyed with it at some point and then she'd swoop in and return to her seat on the throne of Fire's heart.

A smile slipped along her features smoothing out her scowl. She turned away from the messy living room and made her way to the kitchen. She had a breakfast to cook after all.

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