Title: Dad
Author: DayDreamer64/ MadWanderer
Fandom: Pokemon
Pairing/Character: Ash
Genre: General
Rating: PG
Word Count: 1217
Summary: Ash meets his dad.
Note: This is what happens when you over-analyze a show so well that you end up talking about the themes and messages with your own brother for half the night comparing it to Ayn Rand and wondering how the hell is it that Ash has so many rumored fathers. Personally I like my last one the best. Also the girl Ash mentions is actually no real character and meant to be vague so see it as whoever you want. Enjoy~♥



“Well goodnight Pikachu,” Ash was yawning before he could properly say the sentence, “tomorrow we go to Professor Oak to say goodbye to our friends.”

A weary, “Pika,” was his only answer.

He smiled lightly at his best friend as he closed his eyes- they had both eaten a lot for dinner. Both Brock and his mom had cooked the wonderful food for the party in celebration of his new journey that he would be starting. It was nice that all of his friends had come to wish him luck.

But now… Another yawn broke from his mouth- now he needed some sleep.

***

There were streamers falling from the sky, cheers from the colorful crowd, and his winning Pokemon beside him. This was it. He had finally done it. Pokemon Master. He was now the sole holder of the title.

“Ash.”

He looked up in confusion looking around for the owner of the voice. Everything was suddenly turning dark for some reason. What was going on?

“My son.”

What? He stared straight ahead looking at the shadow slowly coming before him. His… father? No, it couldn’t be.

“You’re a Master now- a true master. Do you know what this means?” It wasn’t a shadow it was- “You’re strong now and you can do whatever you wish to do. And that includes stealing valuable Pokemon and bringing our organization more fame than you could ever imagine.”

He saw who it was. He could tell from the voice now and the suit was unmistakable. He stared at the man.

“What?!” Ash backed away in horror, “no, you can’t be my father!”

“Of course I am little boy.” Giovanni chuckled darkly, “who else would be?”

“No!” Ash closed his eyes against the image of the man standing before him, “you can’t be him!”

He turned and began to sprint off in the opposite direction but his father’s voice continued to follow. The voice seemed everywhere at once- the cunning laughter carrying over his head as it reverberated behind him.

“You’re my son. You always have been.”

***

Ash woke with a start and dripping in a cold sweat. He sat up blinking. Then he chuckled nervously as he looked around him- the familiar surroundings of his room looming through the darkness.

“Only a nightmare,” he sighed in relief. “No way would it ever be true. Well maybe the Master part,” he laughed, “but that won’t be for a while.”

He laid back in his bed patting his Pokemon stirring beside him back to sleep before closing his eyes.

***

“Congratulations Ash!”
“Yeah Pokemon Master, just like you always wanted!”
“I knew you could do it!”

There were long toasts made to him, friends continually patting him on the back, and a banquet of food spread before him. This was more like it. This was the way to celebrate his new title. Just friends. No fans, no people watching him- it felt more real this way.

“I’m sure your father would be so proud!” Delia smiled patting his shoulder.

“Of course I am Delia!”

“Huh?!” Ash spun around staring at who stood before him in shock, “P-professor?!”

“Oh I never told you honey?” Delia scratched her head for a moment. “I was almost sure I had.”

“Well now you know m’boy- no harm done!”

Ash sputtered at the grin on the old man’s face but before he could even think of a coherent response to that his dad- wait no- his father- no he couldn’t call him that- the professor was already speaking happily, an arm around him keeping him by his side so he couldn’t back away.

“Also I hope you realize that this makes Gary your nephew now.”

***

“Gah!” He stared at the ceiling above him with wide eyes. “That… was the worst dream ever.”

Rolling over he muttered something about nephews and uncles before drifting off again to sleep.

***

He was alone now. He was completely and utterly alone as he walked through the forest towards home with his best friend and sole companion on his shoulder. Home. It never sounded sweeter. He would be going back after a long, long time of traveling and finally gaining his reputation as the best there was out there. He didn’t need a title- those who met him could feel it in the way he walked, the way he held himself, the way he battled.

It was wonderful to be going home now and finally see his mother, his friends, his other Pokemon. So many years on the road without seeing them had taken its toll on him yet it was all worth it. He had learned so much and he had gained so many new friends.

“Ash.”

He stopped and looked over his shoulder, towards the dense thicket of trees beside him, “yes?”

A person stood leaning against a tree, keeping out of view, “you’re not a Master like you wanted to be.”

“I don’t need a title,” Ash replied indifferently. “I know I’m the best.”

“So you’ve learned have you?”

“Without any help from you dad.”

The shadow chuckled at that before a rough nod was jerked in his direction, “I had rather hoped you already knew why I did that.”

“I do,” Ash turned fully to his father who refused to come towards him. “You learned from your own father that way didn’t you?”

“Yes,” he sighed. “No one ever understood. Except for my mother, him and me. But it took a while for me to understand.”

“Mom never liked it.” Ash murmured closing his eyes, “she’s missed you.”

His statement was met by silence. Then the head looked up at the sky, “the stars are beautiful aren’t they?”

Ash looked upwards then he smiled, reaching up to pat Pikachu who responded to his touch with a warm “cha.” He nodded vaguely, “yeah they sure are.”

“You better tell that girl of yours what you plan on doing in the future or else she won’t forgive you.” The voice held a hint of amusement and a glint of teeth could be seen behind the veil of shadows hiding the rest of the face.

“Oh yeah I will,” Ash laughed. “Otherwise she’d kill me for leaving her. I wouldn’t be surprised if she decided to hunt me down.”

“Hmm.”

“When are you coming home?”

Ash didn’t receive an answer. He didn’t really expect one either. The shadow’s head looked back at him and he wanted to wish he could see a smile but he didn’t. The man was turning around now pulling a cap down on his head and a hand was raised in farewell.

“Goodbye Ash.”

Ash watched him begin to leave and turning to hold Pikachu in his arms he nodded, “Goodbye dad.”

***

Ash yawned loudly rubbing the sleep from his eyes. He sat up and felt his friend waking up beside him.

“You sleep good too Pikachu?” He grinned at the way his Pokemon mimicked his way of rising from the covers. “I had a few weird dreams but I can’t really remember the last one. I think it was a good one though.”

Ash got down from his bed and headed into the shower to get ready. Today would be another journey he would begin and learn from. He would be looking forward to it.