(Before the moment could last much longer, the mother Kangaskhan finally broke through the brush with a rumbling cry.)
(She scooped up her baby and Pichu, hugging them tightly.)
(The Kangaskhan looked down at her babies and smiled.)
(Then she stepped forward, grabbing a berry from her pouch and offering it to Ash in thanks.)
Ash: "A... berry?"
(Ash blinked, taking it carefully.)
Ash: "Thank you."
Chloe: "I guess that's her way of thanking you."
(Chloe said, already trying to fix her spiky hair.)
Ash: "Yeah, I guess."
(Ash said, looking at the berry and tightening his grip on it as he smiled.)
(The mama Kangaskhan placed the baby and Pichu back into her pouch and waved at them before turning to rejoin her herd.)
(Pichu looked back and, hesitantly, slowly waved goodbye.)
(He couldn't shake the feeling that Ash wasn't so bad.)
(And while clinging to him earlier... he had caught Ash's scent.)
(Meanwhile, Ash, Goh, and Chloe sat in the grass, sighing in relief.)
(Not long after, they heard rustling in the bushes.)
(Out came Professor Oak, who looked relieved to find them—but also horrified at their extra-crispy appearance.)
Oak: "So this is where you three have been! As soon as I noticed you were gone, I came running as fast as I could. What were you doing this deep in the forest?! You look like you got shocked!"
(They tried to make up an excuse, but, well... the scorch marks on their clothes really didn't help.)
(So they just said they'd helped a Pichu in trouble, and it shocked them before running off into the forest.)
(Oak could tell that wasn't the whole story, but honestly, he didn't care.)
(He was just relieved they were safe.)
(With some scolding, he guided them back to the group, and they returned to Pallet Town.)
(Later that night...)
(Pichu lay curled up with the Kangaskhans, but he'd started to notice things.)
(Mama Kangaskhan was falling behind the rest of the herd because she had him in her pouch, too.)
(She was giving him part of her food—meaning she was eating less herself.)
(Pichu felt awful.)
(His presence meant she was suffering.)
(And after all she'd done to help him heal...)
(He tried to climb out of the pouch, to tell her he'd walk beside her and find his own food.)
(But she just shook her head, like he was being silly, and gently placed him back inside.)
(After all, what kind of mother wouldn't willingly cut off her own arm if it meant feeding her children, adopted or otherwise?)
(So, with a heavy heart, Pichu knew he had to do something—for her sake.)
(So she could be happy again.)
(In the middle of the night, he quietly sneaked out of the pouch and ran away, leaving behind tears... and a makeshift thank-you note in Pokémon language, just saying:)
{"Thank you for being my mama."}
(It hurt. It hurt like hell.)
(Even the experiments he'd been put through didn't feel half as bad as this.)
(But he had to do it.)
(And now, Pichu was alone again.)
(He was still just a baby.)
(Born in a lab.)
(He'd escaped.)
(He didn't know how to find food, or how to survive.)
(He barely knew how to fight.)
(But then... he remembered that boy.)
(He wanted to slap himself for even considering going to a human for help—but he was desperate.)
(And that boy didn't seem all that bad.)
(So he took a breath... sniffed the air... and began following Ash's scent, padding through the forest in search of him.)
(Ash was lying in his room.)
(Delia had scolded him earlier, but in the end, she was just happy he was safe.)
(After dinner and helping around the house, Ash went to his room and collapsed onto his bed.)
(Beside him sat the Luxury Ball he'd gotten as a birthday present.)
(He picked it up and spun it in his hand.)
Ash: "Man... it would've been nice if I could've caught Pichu early... whatever. I guess I'll get him in the end. Still, it would've been cool to flex on Gary."
(Ash muttered with a small chuckle.)
(Then he jumped when he heard a little knock on his window.)
(He looked over, and saw a small yellow hand tapping the glass.)
(Two yellow-and-black ears twitched just under the frame, Pichu.)
(Ash walked over and opened the window.)
(The little Pokémon stood there with his arms crossed slightly, not looking directly at him—but still there, nonetheless.)
Pichu: "Chu..."
(he mumbled.)
(Ash smiled.)
Ash: "Hey, you're the Pichu from today. What are you doing here?"
(That question was answered when Pichu's stomach gave a loud grumble.)
(He blushed in embarrassment.)
(Ash laughed.)
Ash: "You hungry? Okay, wait here. Come on—sit on the bed."
(He tapped the bed and snuck out of his room to the kitchen, quietly grabbing a bottle of ketchup and a few berries so he wouldn't wake Delia.)
(He came back and sat on the bed next to Pichu, handing him the berries.)
(The little Pokémon started eating happily.)
(Then, he looked curiously at the red bottle in Ash's hand.)
(Ash offered it.)
Ash: "Here, try it. I know you'll like it. Cross my heart."
(Pichu squinted at it, took the bottle, and cautiously squeezed out a bit of the red liquid.)
(He licked it, And instantly loved it.)
Pichu: "Piii!"
(he chirped, licking it excitedly.)
(Ash chuckled.)
Ash: "Told you~"
(Pichu kept eating, even trying the bizarre combo of ketchup on berries—which, for some reason, he enjoyed.)
(After the meal, Ash asked gently.)
Ash: "Hey... so why are you here? What about the Kangaskhan?"
(Pichu froze.)
(His ears drooped as he looked down sadly.)
Pichu: "Pi..."
(Ash nodded.)
Ash: "I see. You left for their sake."
(He slowly reached out and rubbed Pichu's head.)
(The little Pokémon didn't stop him.)
Ash: "So... what are you going to do now?"
(Pichu didn't respond.)
(He just kept clutching his ketchup bottle.)
(Ash smiled gently.)
Ash: "Well then... you wanna live here? With me?"
(Pichu looked up in surprise, wide-eyed.)
(For a moment, he looked ready to shock Ash again and bolt out the window, but Ash quickly raised his hands.)
Ash: "Wait, hear me out! You'll have food, shelter, and if you want, I can help you get stronger and evolve. And if you ever want to leave, I won't stop you."
(Ash looked at the Luxury Ball and held it out.)
Ash: "So if you want, we can. But if you don't, that's okay too. I won't make you stay. You're free to go. But if you do stay... from now on, we're friends."
(Pichu stared at Ash.)
(He could tell the boy meant it.)
(He wasn't forcing him.)
(He was giving him a choice.)
(Pichu hesitated.)
(Being around humans still made him nervous.)
(But... this one didn't feel like the others.)
(He smelled different.)
(He felt different.)
(Pichu looked down, clicking his little tongue in thought.)
Pichu [in mind]: "Fine."
(he thought.)
Pichu [in mind]: "I'll just get food and shelter for now. Then, once I can take care of myself, I'm gone."
(He slowly raised his tiny fist... and tapped the Poké Ball.)
(1 Roll... 2 Roll... 3 Roll... Ding!)
(Ash gave a wide, toothy smile.)
(He'd caught Pichu.)
[To Be Continued...]