4. A New Ash Ketchum

Chapter 5

After returning Reisa, Luke, Dawn, and Lillie to their homes, Ash and Alice sit quietly in the plane, with Aurora at the controls. The hum of the engine fills the silence between them. Ash finally turns to Alice, his eyes searching hers.

"Alice," he begins, his voice soft but curious, "aren't you going back to Kalos?"

Alice meets his gaze and shakes her head gently. "I called my mother. I'm staying by your side," she replies with quiet determination. "If you're in Kalos, then I'm in Kalos. If you're in Kanto, then I will be in Kanto. I'm not going to leave you again."

Ash feels a warmth rise to his cheeks, a light blush coloring his face. He hesitates for a moment, then asks, "Alice, why do you care so much about me?"

Alice blinks, caught off guard by the question. "Huh?" she responds, her confusion evident.

"Is it because I saved you when you were a kid? Or... is it something else?" Ash's voice is tinged with uncertainty, as if he's been wondering this for a long time.

(Flashback)

In Snowbelle City, Alice races toward the forest, her heart pounding in her chest. She finds Ash standing alone, snow swirling around him. His voice is barely a whisper when he mutters, "Sorry... for leaving so suddenly."

Alice steps closer, concern etched on her face. "Ash, if something's troubling you, talk to me about it! It can be anything," she pleads. "If I can help you, no matter how little..."

But Ash lowers his head, the weight of his thoughts pressing down on him. Seeing this, Alice tries to reach him. "I know how you feel, Ash. Back when I failed at my Pokémon Showcase, I wondered if I—"

"What do you know about it, Alice?!" Ash suddenly yells, his voice sharp and filled with frustration. The outburst shocks Alice, her eyes widening in surprise.

"Then why don't you talk to me?!" Alice shouts back, her voice trembling with both anger and hurt.

"This is my problem. Just leave me be!" Ash turns away, his shoulders tense with emotion.

Fury bubbles up inside Alice. She grabs a snowball and hurls it at him. "The Ash I know is always full of energy, a leader who works hard, optimistic, and never gives up until the end! So why...?!"

She keeps throwing snowballs at him, one after another, until Ash collapses onto the snowy ground. "Right now, you're not yourself at all."

Tears blur Alice's vision as she turns and runs away, leaving Ash lying in the snow. He whispers to himself, "Not myself..."

Minutes later, Alice trudges back to her house, her breaths coming in sharp huffs. Clemont, Bonnie, Eve, and Flora stand by the door, their faces etched with worry.

"Alice, where have you—" Eve begins, but Alice cuts her off, her voice flat. "I don't care."

"But what about Ash?" Pikachu asks, concern in his voice.

"I don't care," Alice repeats, turning away.

Flora glances at the sky, her voice soft. "The blizzard is coming..."

Alice suddenly screams in frustration, "Ah, geez! I get it already!" She bolts outside. Bonnie's voice follows her, filled with confusion. "Alice, what's wrong?"

"I have to bring Ash back before the weather gets worse, even if I have to drag him back myself!" Alice declares. "It's dangerous out there!"

"We're not letting you go alone!" Eve insists, stepping forward. "We'll come too!"