13.Ash's Rikoto Story

Chapter 19 Delia's Past

Ash and Alice sit quietly in the guest room at the Pokémon Center, the atmosphere tinged with anticipation. Delia has something important to discuss with both of them, and they can sense the seriousness in her demeanor. Once they're settled, Delia turns to Alice, a warm smile on her face.

"Alice, it's so nice to see you again," Delia begins, her voice gentle. "I remember the last time I saw you... it must have been, what? Ten years ago?"

Alice and Ash exchange confused glances, both unsure of how to respond. Alice hesitates, then says, "Um... well... I'm not sure... I don't really remember."

Ash furrows his brow, equally puzzled. "Mother? Have we met Alice before?"

Delia's smile falters slightly as she realizes the truth. "Huh? You mean... you don't remember each other from when you were little? You were playmates during your childhood." Both Ash and Alice shake their heads, their confusion deepening.

With a sigh, Delia reaches into her bag and pulls out a photograph. She hands it to them, and they both lean in to get a better look. To their astonishment, the picture shows a young Ash and Alice playing together with five other children. Alice recognizes Eve and Flora among them, but the identities of the other three remain a mystery to both of them.

"Um... Mom? Is this really us? How could I not remember anything?" Ash asks, his voice tinged with confusion. "Now that I think about it, my memory is a little blurry too..."

Alice nods in agreement, her expression thoughtful. "Yeah, I recognize Eve and Flora in the picture, but... when did we have this memory? And who are the other three people with us?"

"Wait, Ash? You don't even remember your siblings?" Delia asks, her voice filled with concern.

Ash shakes his head, bewildered. "Wait, I have siblings? I thought I was an only child..."

Delia's confusion deepens, but then a sudden realization hits her, and she gasps. "Oh my... I forgot that I wiped out your memories for the greater good." Her eyes begin to glow with a soft white light, and to Ash and Alice's surprise, their eyes begin to glow in the same way.

Suddenly, memories begin to flood their minds, like pages of a forgotten book being flipped open one by one. They see flashes of their past, of moments they had once shared, now returning to them as if a veil had been lifted.

When the glow finally fades, both Ash and Alice slump back on the sofa, unconscious from the overwhelming experience. Damon, witnessing the entire event, turns to Delia, shock evident on his face. "Delia, what did you just do to them?"

Delia sighs deeply, a mix of sorrow and resolve in her voice. "I made them remember what happened ten years ago. After my husband was killed, I wiped out most of their memories to protect them. Their grief was so intense, I feared it might corrupt their aura. Valerie agreed, and she decided to let Alice and her siblings forget about Ash as well."

"I see," Damon says, his voice thoughtful. "So you're making them remember Red and the others now?"

As if on cue, Ash and Alice begin to stir, slowly regaining consciousness. They both hold their heads, overwhelmed by the rush of memories. Ash speaks first, his voice filled with disbelief. "Mother... I can't believe I forgot everything... not just about Alice, but about my siblings too..."

"Yeah..." Alice adds, her voice soft, tinged with the sadness of lost time. "No wonder I always felt like I knew you, Ash... I always wondered why you seemed so familiar when we were traveling together."

The weight of their newly recovered memories settles over them, a mix of sorrow and comfort, as they begin to process the reality of their past and the bonds they had unknowingly shared.