6. Prince Ash and Princess Lillie

Chapter 1 The Truth Reveals

The sun hangs high in the sky, casting a warm glow over Pallet Town. Inside the Ketchum household, Ash and Pikachu are busy helping Delia with the housework. The kitchen is filled with the smell of freshly baked bread, and Pikachu is cheerfully running around, carrying small items to and fro, much to Delia's delight.

"Thanks, Pikachu," Delia says with a warm smile as the Pokémon hands her a dish. "You're such a big help!"

"Pika!" Pikachu responds with a bright grin, its ears twitching with happiness.

Ash wipes his forehead, glancing out the window. "I think that's the last of the laundry, Mom. After this, Pikachu and I were thinking of heading to Professor Oak's ranch. Maybe get some training in."

Delia nods, her heart swelling with pride at how much her son has grown. "That sounds like a great idea, Ash. Just don't overwork yourself—or Pikachu!"

Ash chuckles, "We won't, Mom."

As they finish up their chores, a sudden knock echoes through the house. Delia pauses, wiping her hands on her apron as she moves toward the door. "I wonder who that could be," she murmurs.

Pikachu's ears perk up, and it hops onto Ash's shoulder, curious about the visitor. Ash is about to follow his mother to the door, but something in her step makes him pause. Delia opens the door, and the sight before her makes her freeze in place.

Standing there is a young girl, around Ash's age, with strikingly familiar features. Her raven-black hair, her eyes—everything about her reminds Delia of her own son. The girl gazes at Delia with an expression that is a mix of nervousness and determination.

"Mom," the girl says softly, her voice trembling slightly.

Delia blinks, trying to process what she is hearing. "Who... who are you? And why are you calling me 'Mom'?" Her voice is laced with confusion, her heart beginning to race.

The girl takes a deep breath, standing a little straighter. "I'm here under Dad's orders. He sent me to bring back your memories."

Delia's confusion only deepens, her mind racing to make sense of this strange encounter. "Dad? Memories?" she repeats, her voice barely above a whisper. The words echo in her mind, but they feel foreign and out of place.

The girl reaches into her pocket and pulls out a small, glowing orb. The light it emits is soft yet powerful, pulsing gently in her hand. Delia's eyes are drawn to it, unable to look away.

As soon as Delia's gaze meets the orb, it suddenly floats out of the girl's hand and hovers in front of Delia. Before she can react, the orb shoots forward and enters her body, filling her with a warm, radiant light. Delia's entire being begins to glow, the light enveloping her in a brilliant aura.

In that instant, memories flood back to her—memories that had been buried deep within her mind. She remembers everything: the past, the connections, and the truths that had once been hidden from her. It's as if a veil has been lifted, revealing the full picture of her life.

As the glow fades, Delia's eyes brim with tears. She steps forward and pulls the girl into a tight embrace. "Golly, you've returned," she whispers, her voice filled with a mix of relief and joy.

At that moment, Ash and Pikachu emerge from the kitchen, drawn by the strange light and the commotion. "Mom, what happened?" Ash asks, concern etched on his face. His eyes then land on the girl, who looks eerily like him. "And... who is she?"

Delia pulls back from the hug, her eyes shining with a newfound clarity. She turns to Ash, her tone gentle yet filled with a firmness that he has never heard before. "Ash, there's something you need to know," she begins, her voice carrying a weight that makes him instinctively tense.