A Trip to Kanto - A Pokemon Story

Chapter 7: Enter Pallet!

*Third person POV*

With Brock and Misty joining them for the journey to Pallet, the trip became more exciting. The original trio (Ash, Misty and Brock), talked about how their lives have been after they parted ways, with some incidents being fun, some being emotional. Brock explained how he had helped Nurse Joy along with his Chansey, and Misty narrated the incident which ended in her catching Gyarados. 

Finally, they entered where they wanted to go: Pallet Town, Ash's home.

They passed through a busy market, as the townsfolks walked around buying groceries, attires, home accessories and other stuff. The town was very peaceful, and the people looked very inviting and open to others, since the rickshaw driver didn't hesitate to ask the directions to Ash's residence. His home was in a far less advanced area, on the middle-outskirts of the town. 

Ash's house was two-floored, had a beautiful lawn all around it, and topped off with a red roof. The house was neither big nor small, it looked just perfect. The crew got off the rickshaw, paid the driver, thanked him, and bid him goodbye. Ash looked at his home, with a sparkle of nostalgia in his eyes. He smiled faintly, as Pikachu grinned at the thought of being at home, just like his trainer. Everyone noticed the sentimental feeling Ash felt, and they all smiled at their friend too.

Ash went up to the door, took a deep breathe in, and rang the doorbell. The door was opened by a lady, with brown hair tied in a neat ponytail, a pink half-sleeved jacket and a purple skirt. She opened the door to meet the familiar figure of none other than her son. Ash hadn't told her that he was returning for a short period of time. So, it was a surprise for his mother to see him here.

"Mom, I'm home.", Ash said in a soft voice, overwhelmed by the feeling of returning home. He may not have the best relationship with his mother, but he loved her to bits. "Oh, my Ash! Son, I wasn't expecting you!", the lady exclaimed and hugged Ash. Pikachu jumped on her shoulder and nuzzled against her, letting out a squeaky cry. "It's good to see you again too, Pikachu!", she petted Pikachu's cheek gently. "Chaaa!", Pikachu squealed. "And I see, you've bought company!", she finally acknowledged the presence of the people Ash had bought behind him. She instantly recognized Misty and Brock. "Well, why don't you all come inside!", she invited the trainers in.

"People, meet Delia Ketchum. She's my overprotective, yet loving mother!", Ash introduced his mother to everyone, hugging her at the word 'loving'. The citizens of Unova introduced themselves to Delia, who gave a sweet smile in return. Delia's smile was always one of the most inviting. It calmed down the most of the angry folks. Maybe that's where Ash got his cheerful personality from! 

The house was cozy from the inside, and the temperature was cool and pleasant. it looked JUST like the environment where someone like Ash could be raised. "Kids, it's almost dinner time. I was just going into the kitchen to prepare the food, and I'm glad guests came by! Why don't you all take a seat?", Delia offered. The kids expressed their gratitude by smiling. That was when they noticed, Ash wasn't sitting among them. "Hey, where's Ash?", Dawn asked. "Oh, he must either be taking a walk outside or spending quality time with Pikachu. Not sure, but yeah, he does those two activities most when he arrives in Pallet.", Brock answered. Dawn nodded in return, as Delia bought some steaming hot dishes to the table. She was accompanied by a humanoid Pokemon. "Look! That's a Mr. Mime!", Dawn exclaimed. The Unovans gasped, for it wasn't everyday they saw a Mr. Mime, that too under the ownership of a housewife. Bianca, like always, pulled out her PokeDex to learn more about the Pokemon. "Mr. Mime. The Barrier Pokemon. A Psychic and Fairy type, and the evolved form of Mime Jr. By rapidly moving its fingers, Mr. Mime can stop air molecules to create an invisible wall.", said the PokeDex. "That's so cool...", Bianca murmured.

"Is this Mr. Mime yours, Mrs. Ketchum?", Cilan asked, with a tinge of grace in his voice. "Yes, well, Ash was one the who brought it to me. Mimey decided to stay with me and help me with household works and chores. He's really helpful! And he's a great cook, sometimes, he helps Ash in some battles too.", she elucidated. Everyone looked at how well-mannered that Mr. Mime, affectionately nicknamed as 'Mimey' by Delia was. He served food to everyone like a five-star rated waiter. Once the food was all set on the large table, Mr. Mime took the serving trays back to the kitchen. "Please enjoy your meal!", Delia wished, as everyone began eating.

As they ate the first bite of the food on their plates, their eyes sparkled up. Never had they ever eaten a meal so delicious and scrumptious, the magic in Delia's hands really stood out to everyone! They titled her as a professional cook, to which the lady blushed and giggled, saying that she had always loved cooking. While eating, Misty asked, "Mrs. Ketchum, where's Ash? It's already past dinner time, should he not be eating?", in a concerned tone. "Oh, don't worry, Ash will be here soon.", Delia replied. They ate the food, feeling the efforts Delia put into it with every bite. As they set down their knives, spoons and forks, Ash emerged from the kitchen. He was wearing an apron. Behind him, was Mimey carrying some mouth-watering pastries on a serving tray. "Time for dessert!", Ash announced. Everyone grinned, nothing seemed better than a sweet, creamy pastry after dinner!

Mimey, being the Pokemon with great etiquette, served like he always does. The pastry was made with bread, covered in rich cream of vanilla flavour, There were chocolate chips on top, both of dark and milk chocolate, and a swirl of whipped cream with two slices of strawberries atop it. The dessert looked really tempting, as everyone dug in. They let out kind compliments, which made Ash smile. "Mrs. Ketchum.. You cook really well, but I cannot believe you bake even better!", Iris complimented Ash's mother. She giggled. "Well, I wasn't the one who made these pastries..", she informed, then looked at her son. "Then who did..?", Brock questioned. Everyone seemed confused until they saw Delia looking at Ash when she was asked the question. "He did.", she replied, putting a hand on Ash's shoulder.

The crew was shocked. Such perfect pastries, with no flaws whatsoever, were made by Ash!? Someone they thought could never be allowed to enter the kitchen! "A...Ash? Y-You made these?", Cilan stuttered. "Yeah, I did.. I doubted if you people would believe me if I told you that I can bake well, so I decided to show you..", Ash replied with a faint grin. "But I thought you couldn't cook at all!", Misty exclaimed. "Well, there's a difference between cooking and baking, and Ash is certainly an expert at the latter!", Cilan said. "You really like it?", the amber-eyed boy asked. "Of course!", everyone chorused. Ash smiled in return, as Pikachu climbed on his shoulder to give him a random nuzzle. "Pikachu, aren't you hungry?", Ash asked the electric-mouse. "Pika, Pika-chu.", Pikachu replied, saying that he had already eaten enough in the evening and didn't want to eat anymore. The rest of the Pokemon ate the Pokemon food made specially by Brock, as they regained their activeness. Though, some Pokemon grew sleepy after eating a full stomach, and fell asleep. 

Dinner was over. Everybody was sitting in the yard, admiring the stars above. The breeze blew, calming and soothing everyone's soul and bringing peace to mind. Many trainers called their Pokemon back into their PokeBalls, leaving only Pikachu, Axew, Piplup, Riolu and Pansage to sleep outside of their PokeBalls. "Pallet is beautiful.", Iris said out loud. "It really is. So peaceful and calm, providing an inviting aroma to the entirety of Kanto!", Cilan brought out his connoisseur voice-tone, following with Burgundy frowning at him. "I'm glad you people are enjoying. What about you, Trip? What do you think of this place?", Ash asked his rival, who sat out of the crowd. He didn't reply and just gave Ash a bored look. "Come on!", Ash mourned. Trip never liked to talk to others. He only spoke when he felt the need to. Ash let it slide, knowing that nothing could be done to change Trip's arrogant and self-centered attitude. He sighed, and they admired the stars and chatted for some more time. That was when Misty decided to pick up a topic.

"Hey Ash?", she asked. "Yeah?", he replied, stroking a sleeping Pikachu's fur. "Where's your dad?", she asked.

Ash stopped in his tracks.