Pokémon: Ash's Dark Destiny (A Pokémon Fan Fiction)

Chapter 14: "A Rose By Any Other Name"

Giovanni held the infant in his arms as he sat in a chair in his corner apartment. Looking down at the baby in his arms for a moment, then back to his reflection in the window, Giovanni said, "Don't worry, little one, you're safe here with me."

Suddenly, a knock on the door snapped him out of his reverie. Giovanni got up and walked over to the door. He looked through the peephole and let out a sigh as he shook his head.

Giovanni opened the door slightly and asked, "Delia? What are you doing here?"

"I quit my job." Delia said through the gap in the doorway.

He unlatched the chain lock and opened the door allowing Delia to come in.

"Why would you do that?" Giovanni asked.

"Because," Delia said, "after doing a little research into the cloning project, I realized that you were right."

Giovanni looked a bit shocked.

"And after finding out what I had, I decided to quit." Delia said, "I didn't want to be part of that anymore."

Looking down at the baby still asleep in Giovanni's arms, she said, "So what are you going to name him?"

"What?" Giovanni said, surprised, "name him?"

"Yes, Giovanni. Every child has to have a name." Delia replied, "And frankly, that would make him look less conspicuous."

"Well, I..." Giovanni said, taken slightly aback, "I hadn't really given it that much thought."

"Well, what about Ash?" Delia suggested.

"Look, Delia," Giovanni said, "I appreciate the visit, but I never asked for your help."

Delia frowned and put her hands on her hips. "Look," she argued, "I quit my job and came all this way on my own for you. The very least you could do is let me help raise him."

After a moment, Giovanni sighed and said, "Alright, you win. Ash it is. But if you're going to stay here, you're going to have to sleep on the couch - at least for now."

"Alright." Delia said, "Fair enough."

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