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A desolated piece of land in the southwest. It is said that, even before the first king was crowned, there was a village there. No one knows exactly what happened, since there are many versions in history about the reasons why it is considered a forbidden place. Recently, the world renowned Professor Samuel Oak, in his seventy-eight years, decided to organize a solo research trip to the dreaded point. A suicidal mission, the blue eyed man can state.
Goh cannot avoid the tears. It looks so real, from the wooden coffin, crying grunts and the morbid atmosphere that transited the space, involving the family and friends of the beloved old geezer. Almost everything happened according to his wishes: a private burial, lily flowers, his favorite, a quick and simple goodbye, to properly send him to the death world.
Nevertheless, the body.
They never found it, but since they received the news that the professor had been seen around the dreadful place from neighboring town farmers a month ago, they did not need the body to confirm the fact.
It was only natural to assume.
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Chloe usually tells him about how it looks like he only had a single brain cell, despite being considered a genius. Her statement proved to be completely true when Goh left Viridian town, a true landmark of the Kantonian industrial revolution, a triumph and treasure of the royal family, to traverse the same path Oak did.
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For most of his existence, Goh became captivated by Kantonian history. His favorite is the desolated forest that once one day carried all the planet's life forms.
It seemed to be calling him.
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Mosquitoes bites and continuous dehydration made him pass out after what seemed to be two sunsets. His clothes' smell is unbearable at that point. The black haired researched is close to his pressure point.
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Clouded vision. His eyes never worked properly after all those nights Goh spent reading scrolls under a thin lamp's light. But he is seeing it, a tiny yellow creature who hisses at him.
"Pikachu! You are scaring our guest!"
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There are different kinds of winged, metal, gill or furry monsters whose colors Goh never saw that vividly before. Some of them do not seem to have a body consistent with the laws of physics.
However, in that place also exists two bipedal humanoids just like him. He knows one of them very well. The researcher never expected to see that old man giggling happily while playing with what they call a bunch of "Azurills".
The other one has an untouchable aura around him, because of the mystery his brown eyes carry so well and that Pikachu on the shoulder.
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"Do you want to go back? You are free to do so." The guy in a gray cloak asked after he finally recovered, serene tone, disturbed by a curious pinch. Goh is now taking the second bowl of mushroom soup, as if he never was suspicious that the other was going to poison him. Analyzes the fabric, that didn't have a single scratch and smelled like grass.
"No one ever came back from here."
"They decided. As you can do now. If you choose to go, Charizard will guide you, however, you will not remember anything."
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"Who are you, really?"
They are sharing a fruit. Its unique shape makes it difficult for Goh to identify. Another one the researcher does not know the name, but will find out as soon as he asks Ash.
He never felt it back to Viridian, the pleasurable feeling of discovering another world. It is not happiness, but something else. There was a little bit of loneliness, as well.
"What year is it? I am always lost when it comes to your sense of time."
The raven-haired answers with a question, as he always does.
"It was the Kantonian's four hundred year when I came here."
Pikachu is swimming, enjoying the lake's mild temperature, compared to the slightly sweltering summer light from the blue sun.
"I was created to protect and serve this land and the Pokémon who live here."
The same words, robotically communicated. Some part of Goh wanted to take Ash from there. It is growing every single day, enough
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They are humans. Their joints, organs, muscles are made to disintegrate.
"Why did you decide to stay, my friend?" Asks Samuel Oak, his long life mentor and friend.
Goh held his hand until the slight life force fades.
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"You and those Pokémon are the only ones who remind me constantly of the influence of time."
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They are affected by melancholy after professor Oak's body is buried on the ground. Ash decided to dig a hole all by himself, as if he is used to it.
He became silent for a long time after that.
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Observant, it was easy to notice how the slightly taciturn humanoid changed. From answering a bunch of random questions, Ash developed an ability to remain evasive, giving shallow responses to his words, or a simple murmur.
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"Ash, what kind of jelly do you want?"
"Who are you?"
The researcher's hand almost let the bread find its way to the modest cabin's floor when the other finally asked something.
"I am Goh. Who are you?"
"I don't know anymore."
He answered, after reaching for the pinap berry's one.
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"What is it to be outside?"
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"You're going to look like Oak someday, right?"
Ash is way more talkative now, offering some words on his own initiative.
"Old? Yep."
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Goh became enamored, however, only realized that when the raven-haired humanoid smiles at him, hair full of dry tree branches.
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Ash plays a vital role in that place, the protector of that fauna and flora. As soon as he leaves, everything will fade, just like the civilization that used to live in the forest.
But, oh, he will end up dying in disgust, something that can only happen in his mind, everytime he sees Goh growing taller.
Their time will end, soon or later.
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Goh never wanted anyone before.
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"If you are fond of me, understand that this place is a part of me and I am part of it."
"Do you ever feel like you are stuck in here?"
"All the single time."
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"Goh, you can leave when you want to."
"How could I?"
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It was inevitable, he always knew that.
But looking at Goh's face, the eyes that will never open again, the inert chest, he never felt that kind of regret.
The figure a few inches taller than his rested on the floor. He should have made him go back to his world.
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No human can survive there. They can stay as long as they want, but someday, the same land that nourishes their bodies will intoxicate their cells little by little, in a sudden and painless death.
Ash was never a human, but that day, he shed tears.