Ash's Story (Part 5: Modern Sinnoh)

Chapter 47: Gratitude in Reverse

We stopped in a small park outside Pastoria because everyone needed a quieter lunch after the chase, the Gym, and the marsh. The grass was damp from yesterday's rain, but the picnic table was dry enough, and Brock's old pancake recipe still worked when I did not burn the first batch.

No one said it aloud, but all of us needed a lunch where nothing evolved, exploded, leaked poison, or ran toward a lake with a suspicious package. That was probably asking too much from our journey, but I still wanted to believe pancakes could be normal for at least ten minutes.

Lillie helped me stack the plates while Dawn brushed mud from Piplup's feet. Gladion leaned against a tree with Houndoom resting nearby, and Daniel was still writing down notes from the Galactic chase. Tox had Chansey reorganizing supplies because yesterday had proven that a medical pouch could never be too ready.

Floatzel stretched near the water fountain while Pikachu guarded the pancake stack with a seriousness usually saved for battles. Lillie laughed softly when Manaphy tried to copy Pikachu's guard pose and nearly tipped over from leaning too far forward.

"Food is not going to attack us," Dawn said, setting out plates.

Pikachu's meaning came solemnly. "Food disappears when people look away. That is close enough."

Gladion reached for one pancake and stopped when something under the table made a small chewing sound. The pancake stack shifted, and a dirty little Pokémon with leaves and soot all over its body popped up with syrup on its mouth.

"What's this?" Gladion asked, staring.

Dawn leaned closer, and Piplup immediately waddled forward to protect the pancakes.

"Is that a Pokémon?" Dawn asked.

Piplup tried to take the pancake back, but the little Pokémon kept eating and accidentally bit down on Piplup's flipper. Piplup shrieked, shook himself wildly, and sent soot flying everywhere.

We coughed as the soot spread across the table. The Pokémon jumped onto Pikachu, then onto my head, biting the brim of my hat like it was another pancake.

"Hey, that is not food!" I shouted.

The little Pokémon landed on the barbecue stand, knocked over a pan, and suddenly released a burst of power that exploded outward. Everyone hit the grass, and Tox was already reaching for medical supplies before the smoke cleared.

"Do not crowd it," Tox said immediately. "Unknown stress response, possible contamination, and possible fever. Dawn, check Piplup's arm. Ash, stop grabbing your hat and look at the patient."

"My hat is part of the patient now," I muttered, because the little Pokémon was still chewing on it.

Tox gave me one flat look that made the joke feel smaller than the smoke.

Lillie moved first. She picked up the shaking Pokémon gently before the others could surround it.

"Stop," Lillie said. "It is scared."

The Pokémon trembled in her arms, dirty leaves pressed against its body. Lillie carried it to the fountain and washed away the soot carefully. As the grime ran off, the green-and-white shape beneath became clear.

I stared at the little Pokémon, completely stunned.

"Shaymin," I said. "It is the Mythical Pokémon Shaymin."

Shaymin sneezed, then glared at me.

"The water is cold, and you can be gentler," Shaymin said through telepathy.

For a second, nobody moved. We had heard Pokémon mentioned many times, but this was different. Shaymin's words came directly, clear and fussy, like it had been waiting for us to become smart enough to understand its complaints.