Chapter Text
Ash was ecstatic for the thought of a new adventure. He knew there was an itch that needed to be scratched for a while, but there was nowhere that really spoke to him. Until now of course! Who wouldn’t be drawn to such a fun filled, sunny place?
“This is amazing, isn’t it buddy?” He reaches to pet Pikachu from where it rests on his shoulder. A gentle pressure that never seems to waver no matter where the two of them end up. Ash looked out over the railing of the school, marveling in all the new scenery. The smell of the ocean wafted in the breeze and Ash took a deep breath, Pikachu joining him in the action.
“Are you planning on staying?” He jumped a little when he heard his mom. He looked to the left to see her also taking in the sight.
“Can I?”
“I figured you already decided.” She said with a gentle laugh that filled Ash with a sense of warmth. He loved living with her again, but the call for something new would always claim him sooner than later. “I actually already filled out all the paper work with principal Samson, so it’s all good to go.”
Ash felt himself grin like crazy, and he couldn’t resist reaching over and wrapping his arms around his mom. “Thank you, thank you!”
Delia laughed even more at her son's antics, and squeezed him just as tight. “You’ll stay safe right? Go to a pokemon center and call if you need anything at all?” It was a practiced speech, one she’s given many times over the year.
“I will!” Ash gives her a mock salute and he hears Pikachu coo in agreement.
“Good.” She smiles warmly and turns back to the sprawling ocean. They stay there for a little longer, basking in the sun, and the time spent together, until it’s time for them to start heading back to their current resort for their last night together for a while.
^^^
He and Pikachu waved goodbye to the plane as it took off, watching until it was nothing more than a speck in the sky. He was officially on his own once again. Not that he was really phased much anymore. He remembered times where the homesickness hit really deep a few adventures back, but he’s gotten accustomed to it by now.
“We better go get supplies huh?” Ash turned his head to look at his partner.
“Pikaa” It nodded in agreement, and onward they set. The plane departure was in the morning, so they had plenty of time to get a lay of the land before it was time to set up camp. It was also a Saturday so they also had time to get comfortable before school as well.
Together they started the trek back to the market that they had walked through to get here. Ash looked every which way. There was so much he had yet to experience and so much more that this new place had to give. He was getting giddy again just thinking about it.
“Oh man, just think of all the new Pokemon, Pikachu!” He stretched his arms way above his head, looking at the few fluffy clouds floating peacefully up above. Ash watched as someone rode a pokemon up above. It was called a ride type pokemon if he remembered correctly.
“Piikachu!” Ash could tell a mile away his buddy was just as excited . It hopped down to bound up ahead, looking back expectantly. Ash let out a loud laugh as he took off right after it. It took no time at all to make it to where all the shops were starting to open up. Everyone he saw were smiling, and many waved to him as he passed, he couldn’t help but feel his already great mood skyrocket.
“Everyone here is so nice.” He said once they slowed down as they got to where it was a little more crowded.
“Pika pika.” Pikachu looked up at him with a big grin on its own face too. Ash looked around for a bit before he spotted just the store he was looking for. They both headed towards the outdoor supplies, spirits high. It was hard to not let such a sunny atmosphere infect them.
“Alright let’s think about what all we’ll need. We have to buy new things since we weren’t planning on staying,” He scratched his chin thoughtfully as he recalled what he had used on his past escapades throughout the years. “A tent, maybe a small cooking stove? Oh! A sleeping bag!”
It took a little longer than he thought it should’ve to find the aisle they were looking for. There were several types of sleeping bags, but one caught his eye in particular. Reaching out for it, he couldn’t help but be drawn towards the blue one like the one he had all the way back in palette town. He flipped over the price tag and cringed slightly.
“Pika pi?” Pikachu questioned as it once again hopped back on his shoulder.
“Sorry bud, looks like this is all we can afford.” He said bashfully as he walked away from the tent displays a little further down the aisle. Pikachu nuzzled his cheek as a way to console him. “Noramlly we have other people to help with this sort of stuff so I didn’t think about the cost of stuff.”
He paid the man working at the counter, and they walk out with only a sleeping bag and whatever he has in his backpack to their name, just a little less happy than before.
“No matter! We’ve survived with less!” He raises his hands once more, raising his voice, but is quick to lower them when he sees the people turn towards him, causing him to smile sheepishly before getting on the move again.
Who knows what the future has in store after all.