When a life fades away

For Ash the intrusion was a surprise. He didn't understand why she was here, but he was glad.

He was glad because. Even if he wasn't the most empathetic person in the world, he could sense people's character to some extent, and he thought that this girl was not a cruel and bad person, but she hid a good and caring nature.

"What do you mean?" asked Ash to interrupt the uncomfortable silence.

"I'm asking if I can stay here with you. I have my Pokémon with me."

"You have a Pokémon?!" asked a very surprised Ash.

Akari showed him her wooden Poké ball. From that a little female Pikachu appeared. Her tail was shaped like a heart.

Ash's Pikachu squeaked happily, coming close to the new Pokémon.

"So you have a female Pikachu, haven't you?"

"How do you know it is a female?" inquired Akari?

"Well, look at the tail. It's different from my Pikachu's tail. He's a male so yours is a female" exclaimed thre boy.

Akari was reflecting on the new notions but was brought out of her trance when she saw Ash kneeling to greet her Pikachu.

"Wait Ash, it will zap you!"

Ash raised his gaze meeting Akari's eyes which clearly showed worry. He smiled: "No need to worry Akari, she's a sweet one, I can see"

Akari stuttered… Has he just said her own catchphrase?

She saw Ash, greeting her Pikachu, caressing her on the head and then stroking her tail, earning a delightful coo.

Then he extended both his arms and the two Pikachu climbed them and took spot on Ash's shoulders.

"You two go along very well, I can see!" chuckled the boy.

"How did you do that?!" asked an awestruck Akari.

"Did what?"

"Earn Pikachu's trust so easily? It seems so happy" asked Akari, feeling a little jealous.

"I only trusted her and showed myself like I would do with a person. Pokémon can sense a person feelings."

The girl was once again speechless.

"Come on. I'm going to sit again. Wanna come?"

Akari nodded and took a gaze at the camp settled by Ash.

"How did you do all of that alone? There is also a wooden pot to boil water!"

"I wasn't alone, I've already told you. My Pokémon are with me."

Ash sat again watching the sky, now with two Pikachu on his lap and Greninja next to him.

Akari smiled again. It was becoming common for her to smile watching Ash. She noticed some leaves in a nearby bush. She thought she could make some tea for her and Ash. The boy didn't even notice she wasn't there, so engaged in the conversation with the three Pokémon like he was.

..............

Sycamore's phone rang.

The Kalosian professor was very drowsy that morning. Even after his morning coffee, he couldn't stop yawning.

He picked up the phone and answered. A blonde girl appeared on his monitor: "Good morning, Professor Sycamore. Got to bed too late?" she said winking.

Then she went on, the professor too tired to answer: "Anyway, I wanted to inform that we didn't find anything about Hoopa. Alain told me that it is highly improbable that he was the cause of Ash's disappearance."

Sycamore scratched the back of his head: "Well if that's the case, we can't do anything more than waiting for Clemont and the others to collect evidence on the other Legendary Pokémon they were searching for" he said, a little disappointed.

Bonnie lost her smile: "I know you would say that… I want Ash back…" she answered, her voice cracking a bit.

"Come on, come back in Lumiouse and we will see what to do. Maybe your brother is up to something"

The conversation ended soon after. Even two of the most jovial people in the entire Kalos region were losing hope.

..................….

"…because I believe in you"

Those words were echoing in Clemont's head while he was trying his best to keep his focus on the monitor in front of him. He was elaborating data about a strange variation of the continuum around Alola.

In the middle of the sea of Mele Mele, it was like there was a time-space fracture. A sort of rift, but not visible and, at least for now, harmless.

Yet, this was something really strange and, according to the data, a case like that never occurred in Alola. This special case was detected for the first time the day Ash disappeared.

Clemont was working hard, so hard that he was burning out. But he had to endure and go on and never give up, like Ash, for Ash.

He exited the Aether foundation building and lit a cigarette. Tomorrow was going to be an even harder day since the equipment he asked from his lab was about to arrive on the island.

It was late and, since he didn't get the time to buy something for dinner, he opted to go to a restaurant.

He finally found one and was greeted by a green haired girl and her Tsareena. The girl looked like a happy and full of life person but for whatever reason, she seemed a bit sad.

At first Clemont didn't notice it but, after a delicious meal, he saw her eyes. He wanted to ask her why she was so sad to have shiny tearful eyes, but Clemont was a very cautious and respectful man.

"So, you are new here, huh?" the girl asked, catching Clemont off guard.

"Well, yes, I am. I came from Kalos a week ago"

She took a chair and sat with Clemont, confusing him: "Sorry, but aren't you supposed to serve other tables?"

He didn't notice how rude it sounded but she didn't seem to notice either.

"Maybe you were too absorbed by your thoughts, but didn't you see you are the last one here. It is midnight" she answered, smiling innocently. Clemont, for a moment gazed her face, drowning in her smile, before realizing what she had said.

He stuttered, embarrassed: "Oh Sorry, you are here only for me! Oh my!" he was panicking.

"Hey, keep calm. It's not a problem. I was only curious what could take a young man alone here alone on a Monday at this hour"

He calmed down: "Oh yes, I was working late"

"You seem a bit burnt out. What's your job?"

"Well, I don't work here, actually. I'm here because I'm doing research to help my best friend"

"He sure is a lucky guy to have a friend like you…" she said pointing Clemont as to ask his name.

"Clemont. And thank you…"

"Mallow, Mallow Mao. My father is this restaurant owner"

"Oh wow. Everything was perfect!" said an even more embarrassed Clemont.

"Now tell me. Why does your friend need help?"

Clemont lowered his gaze, eyeing his glass full of bourbon, before sipping a bit and answering: "Because he disappeared. Everyone thinks he's dead but he's not and we will save him."

Mallow was stunned but quickly replied: "Oh, Clemont… This is tough. I know how you feel. One of my friends also faced a similar fate but right now no one knows how to help him."

Now it was Clemont turn to be stunned but then something clicked in his mind: "What's your fiend's name?"

She started to sob: "He is, or better was, the Alolan Champion Ash Ketchum"

Clemont's eyes widened and he dropped his glass, shattering it in pieces.

"Ash…"

"Clemont are you okay?" asked a worried Mallow.

"We are looking for the same person" he half whispered.

"WHAT?!" shouted Mallow.

...............

The two had finished to plan their next move. Clement had revealed Mallow everything about Ash and the plan to find him. Mallow offered to help and quickly called Lana and Kiawe. Sophocle was still in Hoenn .

They all ran to the restaurant in order to get the news.

Now they were sitting on the beach in circle, around a fireplace.

"And so, Ash ate all the malasadas and we had to cook all the night for the festival! Ahahahahah!"

The four were laughing hard telling each others stories, drinking bourbon and smoking Alolan weed.

The night went on, alcohol was poured, smoke was inhaled, tears were shed, even the Pokémon were high.

For Clemont it was enthralling, ecstatic, freeing. Now he had support.

Morning came and, despite the fatigue, with heavy eyes, the group marched to Aether foundation, with in mind their common goal.

A thought was filling Clemont's head:

"Ash, you are sure something else. I can fell your drive, your passion and your impact through anyone you met and befriended! Wait for me. I'm coming for you!"

..........

"Here!"

Ash was distraught from his conversation with the Pokémon by a wooden cup near his face.

Akari was standing next to him, a warm smile on her face. She was offering him the cup.

"What's this?" he asked, confused at the intrusion.

"It's tea. I can see that you and your Pokémon work well, but you are still a boy and don't know that near your tent there was a bush with trees useful for making a calming tea."

"Oh wow, amazing!" shouted Ash, startling the Pikachu.

"Shhh! You will wake every wild Pokémon up!" Akari, agitatedly said, putting her index on his face.

"Come on, take this now or it will get cold!" she concluded.

Ash took it, sipping a bit before passing the cup to Greninja: "It's delicious. Thank you, Akari" he said with his toothy grin.

The girl's heart skipped a beat and beat faster… "Oh well. It's nothing"

She was clearly embarrassed because of everything she wanted to tell him. She fixed her eyes on her Pikachu, who was talking now with Greninja: "I wanted to say that I'm sorry for shouting at you and making you fight Commander Kamado!"

Ah let out a small laugh, surprising the girl: "Actually, I should thank you for that. I had a great time having a good battle, even if your commander isn't that good. If you weren't so scared by Pokémon, it would be easier for you all. Kamado's Pokémon are incredibly strong all by nature. If their trainer were better, they would have been quite the challenge!"

Pikachu and Greninja heard their trainer's speech and joined in chiming in agreement.

At first, Akari was scared for the two coming next to her and Ash, but then, she relaxed. She had had them in her house for a week so she shouldn't be scared.

"Relax, Akari, Pokémon are friends. They won't attack you if you aren't scared or threatening."

He smiled once again, this time with such warmth and care, that her heart melted.

"Are you sure…Ash?" she felt strange while pronouncing his name.

"I'm sure. Nothing will go wrong until you stop trying"

She felt reassured: "Pikachu, would you like if I caress you?" she asked hesitantly to her only Pokémon.

Pikachu was sure surprised and also a bit diffident, so she searched for Ash's Pikachu gaze. He nodded and with that she decided to accept her trainer offer by nodding to Akari.

Pikachu moved closer, Akari flinched, scared.

Ash came closer and put a hand on her shoulder. She was startled by the sudden contact but then she turned to him.

"Don't be scared. You know, nothing we do is a waste of time. Even if it is challenging, you just have to give your best and you'll see the results" he said with a smile.

"And of course, Pokémon are friends, not beasts that want you dead…Trust me" he concluded.

She looked into his auburn eyes and saw the sheer passion and trust that they irradiated.

She was convinced.

She leaned closer to Pikachu, extended her hand, and touched Pikachu's soft fur. She felt warmth and then proceeded to caress the Pokémon, earning a coo. Pikachu, overjoyed, closed the gap and stroked her head to Akari's arm, before climbing it and earning a spot on her shoulder.

She watched the scene, amazed by the joy she was feeling. Tears escaped her eyes when she once again put her hand on Pikachu.

"Pikachu, I'm sorry if I was so bad to you and never trusted you. I want you to be my partner. Can we be friends?" the girl asked.

"Chaaa!" her partner answered nodding furiously and caressing her new friend cheek.

Ash watched the scene with Pikachu and Greninja and was proud of Akari for holding her courage much better than Lillie did some years ago.

"They will make a great team, I'm sure" he said. "Pika", "Gren"

"Ash…" a moved Akari said, gaining the Kantonian trainer attention.

She bent down: "Thank you so much, I'm so happy now. I made a step to have a friend, something impossible with all the distrust people have in Jubilife"

"What do you mean? You have me, Pikachu and Greninja as well!" Ash quickly told her, grinning.

Her eyes went from watering, to widening to crying, all in one instant.

"Now come on, get up. We should hit the sack. I'm completely drained. You all agree?!"

"Pikaaaa" Pikachu yawned. "Ninjaaa!" Greninja retorted.

"You're right. Let's sing it in the tent, so we don't disturb Akari and Pikachu"

The trio was starting to head to the tent when Akari once again summoned her courage:

"Ash… I'd like to hear that too"

"Uhh?"

"Besides, I don't have a place to sleep." She said, clearly embarrassed.

The boy thought for a bit. "Well, if that's the case, we can make some room for both of you. We will be a bit tight but we can make it."

Akari was red. She was going to sleep in the same place as a boy, something she never considered before. But that boy, come from nowhere, had make her feel different, relaxed, like she didn't need to be a different person in front of him, something she never thought she would do.

In Jubilife there were clear differences between men and women on a behavioral point of view: Men should always sound powerful, look stoic and be the chief, while women should be more reflective, caring and well, obedient.

Ash wasn't anything of this. He wasn't harsh, instead he was caring. He didn't sound strong. He was strong, but he didn't see it as a way to have power. He didn't act like a chief; he was so charismatic to make her want to follow his lead. But he was also compassionate, and she could tell that for him, life wasn't about differences, but about similarities.

She wanted to ask one more thing of him, before heading to the tent: "Do you really don't remember where you come from?"

He turned, looked at Pikachu, then Greninja and finally at her. He smiled: "I come from the future."

Akari didn't understand.

Ash walked up to her: "Do you trust me?"

She nodded. He sighed. "Well, I don't really know what's going on here. But I'm here to solve whatever thing caused that rift on top of Mount Coronet:"

"How can I believe you?" she asked, completely overwhelmed by the revelation.

"You don't have to. But should I lie to you? I left the village, so I'm not here to ruin your lives."

She had to think hard, she actually couldn't believe anything… Her mind was racing, her Pikachu was starting to grow concerned.

She ran to ash and….

She hugged him, strong, sinking her head in his chest.

Ash was startled. He didn't know how to react.

She released the hug and, hoping her cheeks were covered by the darkness of the night, she watched him:

"I trust you."