13: Make A Wish

The Ketchum family, Tobias included, were seated in the back yard looking over the feast that Delia had whipped up in the short amount of time along with Professor Oak, and Tracey. All of them, especially Domino, were listening to Tobias' recount of Ash and Silver's battle, mostly because both father and son had their own versions to tell. Tobias was simply keeping them honest.

"I was quite surprised that the battle ended in a draw," Tobias said for himself as he ended the tale. "Considering Ash's brilliant combination moves, and the fact that his Charizard could shift between its Mega forms, I assumed that taking on the more powerful Dragon type form would have given him the advantage?"

Over by the corrals, Charizard snorted at the man and laid his head down on the arms for a nap. Ash chuckled, "Charizard said he would've won if he'd kept his speed form up." He translated, gaining a few confused looks, "See, the speed form is more suited for close combat, since it allows him to get in and get out before his opponent has a chance to get at him. Sort of like hit and run tactics. When he's in the Dragon type form, his speed is cut in half of what it was in his normal state, while the power is almost tripled."

Sam nodded, "I see, taking a hit from Charizard's X-form would mean a devastating blow, to be sure, but when there's no speed behind the punch, you don't get results."

"Right," Silver agreed, "Sally's Mega form gave her both, but, in my opinion, Charizard was the stronger Pokemon."

"Mence," grumbled the large Dragon from beside her mistress, feeling betrayed.

Silver chuckled, "Don't get me wrong, Sally, but even in his original form, you would have had trouble with him while in Mega form." He said to the Dragon, who huffed and looked to Delia for comfort, receiving a comforting scratch under her chin.

Domino elbowed the raven-haired boy beside her, "Wish I could've seen that. But somebody said it was too dangerous for li'l old me."

"It was," Ash, Tobias, and Silver said at once.

"There's the flock of Moltres still flying around up there," Ash said, remembering his harrowing sky battle with 'Scar'.

"And an aggressive troupe of Tyranitar," Tobias said, remembering a day in the week he and Ash had trained with his newly caught Moltres where the troupe had attacked them for food. Moltres had managed to drive them off after a few minutes of flaming them.

Silver nodded, leaning back in his chair, "And let's not forget the extreme weather changes that happen...oh, every hour or so, give or take."

Domino blinked in astonishment at hearing all of the dangers that waited on that mountain. Delia looked ready to faint. Sam didn't help matters as he kept his peace and nodded along while the men rattled the list off. "It's the reason why I won't allow anyone other than Master class trainers to go near that mountain." He said as an afterthought. "Only the most disciplined of trainers can brave that area's dangers."

Tracey looked at the man, "So does that mean you consider Ash a Master class?"

Ash looked over at him as well, "I'm not even close, right?" He said morosely, "I haven't even become a Champion, yet, in ten years of traveling from League to League."

Silver looked to his son, and smiled, "Son, let me ask you something," he said, drawing all of their attention, "What is it that makes a Master a Master?"

Ash thought about that for a moment, "It's...becoming a League Champion, right?"

Silver shook his head, "Becoming a Champion is a career, Ash. Lance, though he is a Champion trainer for two regions, isn't a Master." Now this surprised the young man. Lance, he knew, was the most powerful trainer in all of Kanto besides his father, or, perhaps, Tobias. And he wasn't a Master?

"So," Domino asked, curious, "What's it take to be a Master?"

Silver chuckled, "Well, the way I learned, is that I have to come to understand my Pokemon. It's my bonds that with them that helped us all get so strong. Take Sally for example," he gestured to the Salamence, "She's been my strongest partner since we started this journey of ours fifteen years ago. But Delia was the one that raised her into her fully evolved form. Battle her now, and I guarantee that she'll win, even against your Charizard, Ash."

"Forming an everlasting bond like that with all of your Pokemon," Ash said thoughtfully, "That's what makes you a Master?"

"Only through those bonds can a trainer bring out the full potential of a Pokemon," Sam said, smiling at the young man, "It's how Mega Evolution works."

Domino frowned, "But Ash's Beedrill Mega Evolved on her own by touching her Mega Stone to a Key Stone."

"That's a natural reaction," the aging professor said, "When a trainer touches their Key Stone, they are unconsciously sending a small amount of their own energy into the stone, which causes the corresponding Mega Stone to react, but only if the stone is attached to a Pokemon bonded to the trainer who's energy went into the Keystone. Beedrill, having had a strong bond with her former trainer, could, and has used both stones to protect her swarm over the years, until Ash caught her, that is."

"If Salamence hadn't bonded with both of us," Silver said, gesturing to himself and his wife, "I would never be able to help her Mega Evolve."

"And," the professor said, smiling at the young man, "As you have obviously formed those bonds with your own Pokemon, you are, in a sense, Master class yourself, Ash. You just haven't been ranked as one, yet."

Domino huffed, "I don't see why." She said, "He's a world renown trainer. Even Team Rocket's careful whenever he's in the area."

"You would know," Tracey grinned, not able to resist a jab at her.

"Houndour, Bite," Domino smirked.

"HOUND!" *CHOMP*

"YEOW!" Tracey yelped.

Sam chuckled as his assistance reaped the misfortunes of his joke, "While Ash is a strong, and well known trainer, he as yet to face the Elite Four. That right there is what usually ranks a trainer. Even Silver is only considered a Master because of how powerful his Pokemon are. He's only just recently received the rank for openly challenging that Moltres to a battle, and winning."

"Ash did the same thing," Domino pointed out.

"And he caught it," Tobias said, sighing as he rubbed his aching ribs, "and I'll say this, that bird is strong enough to take out my entire team. If Ash hadn't ganged up on it, he'd be in the same boat I am."

"Catching a Legendary Pokemon is all well and good," Sam said with a sigh, "But the world has to see how good you are. Ash, as of right now, is ranked as a veteran trainer of high stature. Beating him would fill the pockets of any trainer. If he makes it to the Elite Four this coming season, then he'll no doubt be bumped up to the Master class as they are all Masters. And I have to say that even though Ash has few, but powerful Pokemon, he has seen every single Pokemon on the planet, and even some that dwell in space. Not even my grandson has seen as much as Ash has."

Ash smiled at that, "Yeah, I never really thought about catching Pokemon all that much when I really got started...I just loved seeing all of the different types in all the regions I've been to."

"And that right there is what makes a Master," Silver smiled at his son, "It doesn't matter how many Pokemon a trainer catches, catching many only turns you into a collector. It's what you see, and what you come to feel that makes you a Master."

=x=

Dinner was made quick work by the two, now three, Ketchum men, Tobias proving to have the family appetite. Said trainer was now sacked out on the couch, and snoring softly. Silver was taking a quick look around the house for old times' sake, not believing he was home again. And that he had his little brother back. That was something he had never dared to hope for.

He made his way upstairs, checking on his son. The door was open, but there was no one inside...well, except for the twins and Pikachu. The three Pokemon were curled up at the foot of the bed, fast asleep. "Now where's that boy gotten off to this time?"

"Where else would he be?" Delia asked as she came up behind him, and placed a gentle hand on his shoulder, "You know he always loved watching the stars this time of year. Domino's probably with him, too, so there's really no need to worry."

Silver left out a sigh, "I know...I just...it's strange, being back here...being allowed back here." He said, turning to his wife, "Can you really forgive me so easily?"

Delia giggled, reaching up to touch his weather-worn face, "I can, and I have...you're still the man I loved all those years ago."

"I never dreamed of being anyone else." He said, leaning into her touch. "It's been too long."

"We've got time," she pulled him toward their bedroom, "Ash and Domino won't be back for a while."

=x=

Meanwhile, Domino was with Ash, but not in the sense that one would think. She had been looking for him since he hadn't come to bed, yet, and wondered if he was alright.

And, of course, Delia had been right in her assumptions that he had gone out to watch the stars. He was actually on the roof of the barn, which Domino didn't know. "Ash?"

Ash peered over the edge, and grinned when he saw the blonde below. Taking off his hat, and taking careful aim, he dropped it right onto her head. Domino shrieked as the offending cap landed on her, and tore it off, looking up as she heard his laughter booming. "Ash Ketchum, you jerk!"

"What?" Ash said, peering over the edge of the roof with a grin on his face, "How could I resist?"

Domino growled and climbed up the ladder, Ash's hat still clutched in her hand, "You know, I was worried about you?" Domino said as she set foot on the roof, "And then you go and pull a stunk that scares the crap outta me."

Ash grinned and took his hat back from her, "Come on, life's no fun without a good scare." He said, leaning back. "So, what brought you out here?"

Domino huffed, crossing her arms over her chest, "I told you I was worried! You haven't been back a few hours, and you already won't come to bed." She said, blushing when her mind caught up with her words, "I-I mean, it's not like you to just...well..."

Ash just shrugged, "It's not like me to do this at home," he said, "When I was a kid, I'd always come out and watch the stars for a while before going to bed, and sometimes I'd sleep out here." He explained, "After I started traveling I never got tired of sleeping under the stars every chance I got." He stretched his arms above his head, "I loved it."

Domino smiled slightly, remembering her trip in the woods to go after her Houndour, "I kinda know how you feel."

Ash smirked, his eyes closing, "I heard from Mom about the whole thing with Houndour." He opened his eyes and smiled at her, making her stomach flutter slightly, "I'm impressed. You caught your first Pokemon, and Zorua evolved earlier than what she should have."

"She did?" Domino asked, "But...how - "

"She wanted to protect you," Ash said, sitting up, "It's been known to happen. Hell, my Charizard evolved from Charmeleon because he was pissed off at an Aerodactyl. And some Pokemon evolve based off emotional bonds with their trainers. Eevee are famous for doing that when the evolve into Umbreon and Espeon."

"Have any of your Pokemon besides Charizard done that before?" Domino asked.

"Talonflame did when he tangled with a Moltres over in Kalos," Ash said, thinking back on that day with a shiver, "I thought I was gonna lose him. Moltres had knocked him into its nest, a live volcano, and I thought we were done for. Then Fletchinder came barreling out of the lava, glowing like a star, and the nect thing I know, I'm the proud papa of a powerful Talonflame."

"You mean you beat it?" Domino asked in astonishment.

"Yea~no." Ash laughed, "Good effort, though."

Domino giggled while shaking her head, "You are the craziest person I've ever met, you know that?"

Ash chuckled, "I aim to please." He said, holding his hand out to her, "Care to join me?"

Domino blushed at the offer, but took his hand, letting herself be drawn down against him. This was new to her. Sure she'd kissed him on the cheek once, but that was just a harmless peck. Cuddling? Not something an elite member of Team Rocket did on a daily basis. But the warmth she felt moving through her as she laid her head against his shoulder...she glad that she hadn't refused.

She turned her gaze toward the sky, smiling, "I know why you like looking at the stars." Domino said, making herself comfortable, "When I used to look up, all I saw was the black, because that's all the night held for me. Darkness."

"Now?" Ash asked.

Domino turned her head slightly to look at him, "It's not all black. I can see blue, and white, even a few shades of purple sometimes."

"You see more at night than you do in the day," Ash nodded, smiling, "That was me for a long time. Now, I see a lot more than that." Ash smiled, looking back up at the sky, "See that star right there?" He pointed to a flickering light moving slowly across the sky, "That could be a Pokemon moving through the atmosphere. There's so much more out there than what we thought. Until recently, Deoxys was only a myth right up there with Mew, but I actually saw three during my travels. And they all came from meteorites."

Domino raised her brow at him, "Giovanni always wanted to find that particular Pokemon...he just never knew where to look." She said, looking back up, sighing as she thought about her old employer. "He...he wasn't always the cruel person everyone thought he was...when he took me in...I was nothing. But he saw something in me..." her eyes started tearing up for some reason, "I...I loved him like the dad I always wanted...and then I hit rock bottom..."

"And ended up here," Ash finished, looking at her with a smile, "With us. You know I can't say I'm sorry about that?" He reached around her shoulder and wiped away a stray tear.

Domino blushed at the slight touch, smiling, "I can't either...Ash, I - "

"Shooting star," Ash said suddenly, pointing up to where the blazing trail was shining, "Make a wish."

Domino, her face flaming red, just rolled over so she was facing him, "I wish you'd shut up and kiss me!" The moment the words left her mouth, she regretted it. Ash's face turned ten shades of red as he processed what she wished for even as she clapped her hands over her mouth. "I-I mean I - Oh, Arceus!" She covered her face in embarrassment.

Ash sat up, propping himself up on his left arm which she was still leaning on, and looked down at her. "Domino, you really mean that?"

Domino nodded, her face still covered, "Um. I didn't wanna make things weird though," she mumbled, mortified, "Now look what I've gone and done...I ruin everything!"

"No, you didn't," she heard him say, and felt him lay down beside her, "I've...gotten really fond of you, I just...didn't show it." Domino shivered when she felt his other arm going around her, bringing her right up against his chest. "To tell the truth, I'm not all that good with girls...I've been pretty much clueless about them since I was ten."

"I noticed," Domino mumbled, "I flirted with you a lot when we went to Celadon City."

Ash rolled his eyes, "I caught some of it," he chuckled as Domino came out from behind her hands, and grinned devilishly, "By the way, wish granted."

"Huh? Mph!" His lips came down hers gently, giving her a chance to push him away if she wanted. After a moment, as her lips parted in a sigh and her hands slid around his neck, it became obvious that she didn't want to push him away.

It was a brief kiss. But to the blonde girl, it felt like an eternity, and she wished it could have lasted longer. Ash was looking at her with that goofy grin she loved so much, and she felt her own lips turning up in a smile. "Wow."

Ash chuckled, "Yeah, wow." He said, sitting up, "What d'ya say we head back inside, and get some rest?"

Domino giggled, "Just so you know, you're not sleeping on the floor tonight."

Ash grinned, "You trust me?" He laughed as she reached up and flicked him on the forehead, "Hey!"

"You're too dense to try anything fresh with me, Ketchum," she smirked, "besides, I'll set Pikachu on you if you do."

Ash sputtered out a laugh, "That little traitor."

Domino giggled, "What can I say? The little guy knows a good thing when he sees one."

Ash raised up and rose to his feet, "So do I."

=x=

Delia was treated to quite a sight the next morning when she went to wake up her son, and prospective daughter-in-law. Of course, she had hoped that something would happen between the two, which was why Ash hadn't been sleeping on the couch for the last month or so. A mother could hope, couldn't she?

But, what she found when she opened the door to wake them warmed her, and gave her more than just a little hope.

There was Pikachu at the foot of the bed, as usual, with the twins curled up next to each of their trainer's heads on their pillows. Only Ash wasn't on the floor. His bed hadn't even been laid out. No, him and his little Eevee had join his sibling in the bed, where Domino now rested her head on his chest, breathing softly in her sleep while her son breathed deeply.

Both of them were smiling slightly even as they slept.

Smiling kindly, Delia quietly closed the door behind her and made her way downstairs, "I suppose I can let them sleep a little longer." She smiled, "Besides, we can always tell them about our second honeymoon over lunch."

Anyone wanna say about time? :p Come on, Ash may be dense, but he ain't stupid. At least, not in this Fic...

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