...

...

...Hello...

...Long time no see?

This story isn't dead.

I promise I haven't abandoned it...

Ash and Satoshi slowly made their way up the stairs of Prism Tower. Ash glanced over at Satoshi, who was feeding his Pikachu some fries. The little mouse was curled up on his shoulder, stuffing each fry into his mouth whole- while swallowing without even a chew. Ash's own Pikachu was resting in his arms, digging through the sack of fast food for the small ketchup packets. Ash didn't even worry as Pikachu grabbed an arm full of the packets- knowing just how long it took for him to open each one.

Ash pushed open the door to the living space Clemont had set up in the tower- where they had all been staying these last few days. As soon as they entered Pikachu leapt off of Ash- taking off with the ketchup before he could even make some attempt to stop him. Ash looked helplessly over at Satoshi and his Pikachu.

"Think you could get a few of those back for my hamburger?" Ash asked mirror Pikachu. The electric type made a face at the thought of ketchup, but nodded, running after Pikachu.

"Clemont!" Bonnie's voice filled the room, making Satoshi flinch as they shut the door behind them, "Ash and Satoshi are back!" The young girl gave Ash a wide smile, "They were looking for you guys!" She said, before bolting after Dedenne before Ash could ask who 'they' were.

Ash sighed, ready to go in search of Clemont. Satoshi was looking around uncertainly, his eyes flickering towards the window. Curled up next to the widow was a small green Pokemon- Squishy- who was sunbathing like he normally did. He opened one eye as Ash and Satoshi passed, before drifting off to sleep once more.

"You have one of the cells?" Satoshi whispered. He stared at Squishy, looking both impressed and nervous.

"Cells?" Ash asked, blinking. Satoshi moved closer to the small green creature.

"Wait a minute... that's a core!" He exclaimed quietly, "You guys have a core!"

Ash gave an uncertain smile, "We're actually not too sure what he is, Bonnie found him, she calls him Squishy."

Squishy opened an eye at the sound of his name. He glared up at Ash and Satoshi in annoyance, making quite clear that he wanted peace. Satoshi quickly stumbled away from him, as if he were a bomb waiting to explode. He spoke in a hushed tone as they left the room to go find Clemont.

"You have the red one... Have you seen any of the others?" He asked quietly, "There should be five total."

Ash blinked, "Like I said, we really have no idea what they are. But if you do then-"

"Ash!" A voice cried as they entered the kitchen. Ash's face lit up at the sound of the female voice, however Satoshi's skin went pale. Ash looked up happily, just in time to see a blonde girl racing towards him.

"Serena!" He cried. It looked like she was about to throw her arms around Ash, however she came to a stop right in front of him. Her hands were tucked behind her back, and small blush on her face as she smiled up at Ash.

Satoshi quickly stepped behind Ash.

"I didn't expect you to be back so soon," She glanced at Satoshi, giving him a small smile, "It's good to see you as well, I didn't expect Ash to bring you back to our world! I was surprised when Clemont told me you were here!"

Satoshi and Serena had only met briefly the first time Ash had gone to the mirror world- when he had been leaping back through the portal to get to his world. Satoshi shrank back even further as all eyes were turned on him, and he gave an uncertain, forced smile.

"Um... y-yeah..." His eyes were darting around, refusing to make eye contact, "Y-you know..."

"Satoshi is going to be spending a while here," Ash broke in, noticing the overwhelmed look on Satoshi's face, and so he quickly drew the focus away from the boy, "How did things go with your mom?"

Serena brightened, "She's finally taking me seriously about wanting to become a Pokemon performer! You know, after I became runner up for Kalos Queen!" She grinned though, "In other words, no more Rhyhorn racing, ever!"

"That's too bad, you work really well with Rhyhorn," Clemont had entered the kitchen, a disassembled machine clutched in his arms.

"Yep!" Ash held up their shopping bags, "Took a bit longer than I'd like, but we're done now!"

Serena grinned, "Did Satoshi manage to get you to go shopping? It seems that he is truly your opposite, Ash," She looked towards Ash's mirror counterpart, eyes gleaming. Ash glanced at Satoshi, who was stumbling back, eyes glued to the ground.

"I- I- I-" He seemed to struggle to simply get the words out of his mouth, "I- I'm going to go eat n-now..." Satoshi muttered, shifting the sack of food in his arms, "Um... yeah..." He then turned on a heel, suddenly running off into another part of the gym. Ash watched him go, his face falling slightly.

"Was it something I said?" Serena asked uncertainly, shifting.

Ash shook his head, "No, it's not your fault... He's a bit jumpy..." Ash hesitated. He wanted to go after Satoshi, but he had a feeling the teen wanted to be left alone. He shifted the bags in his arms, then turned back to Serena and Clemont, "Did you guys hear about the league? I can't believe it was canceled!" Ash exclaimed, knowing that Satoshi wouldn't want the topic to linger on him.

Satoshi carefully climbed out of bed, his entire body covered in sweat. In the window of his room he could see the half moon rising- a pale white- much different than the magenta colored moon he was use to in his world. Next to him his Pikachu twitched in his sleep, muttering unintelligible phrase. Satoshi carefully looked around, tugging on the sleeves of the sweatshirt he was wearing over his pajamas. Satoshi closed his eyes for a moment, then slipped out of the guest room he had been staying in.

The metal floor was cold to the touch, much to Satoshi's relief. His bare feet savored the coolness, while his body was boiling inside the sweatshirt. He didn't dare take it off however, simply making his way down the hall. He wasn't quite sure where he was going, but he simply needed to move about. His heart was racing, palms sweaty as he walked, and he finally found himself standing in the front room.

Prism tower wasn't truly a home in anyway, but the small apartment-like area was enough to feel like one- aside from the metal floors and sound of Clemont's inventions. It was so strange to see Clemont with tools in hand, talking about electronics and his latest inventions. The Clemont that Satoshi was use to claimed to be magical, training psychic types instead of electric.

Seeing this world's Clemont and Bonnie these last two days had been hard on him. Satoshi had been doing his best to remind himself that these were not the two siblings he was use to in his world, and tried to be as friendly with them as they were to him. Clemont had opened up his home to them, Bonnie tried to play with him and make him smile, these were nice people. Satoshi was finding himself warming up to them, starting to see them as separate from the ones in his world.

But seeing Serena had been too much.

Reminding himself that it was a different Serena did nothing. One look at her and he had felt every mental and emotional defense he had start to fall- the fear rushing in. Ash's support hadn't been enough- everything had screamed to get away from her. As soon as he had excused himself to 'eat' he had ran- ran as far as he could get from everyone and simply started crying. His Pikachu had soon found him in the bathroom, and did his best attempts to comfort him, but it still hadn't been enough. Crying had only brought back memories of her taunts, of what she had done, and he had only started crying harder.

He had then tried to avoid everyone for the rest of the day, which hadn't gone too well. Unlike in his world, the people here didn't seem keen on ignoring him. At long last night had finally come and he could slip away, and hopefully sleep away his troubles. Unfortunately, even in his exhaustion, sleep hadn't yet come for him, and so he had ended up here, alone in the front room.

Shaking, Satoshi managed to drag himself to the couch, plopping himself down onto it. He curled up, wrapping his hands around himself, trying to make sense of everything that had happened these last few days.

He was in a new world- a whole different dimension. Father had let him come here without much thought... He had let him come here without a fight- without knowing what kind of person Ash was... like Father hadn't even cared. Satoshi felt a pair of tears sting his eyes, and he lowered his head.

"Why are you up so late?"

Satoshi jumped at the voice, eyes widening as he looked up. Ash stood in the doorway, watching him uncertainly. There was no anger in his counterpart's gaze, but Satoshi couldn't help but be wary. Had he done something wrong? Perhaps something insulting to this world? Maybe-?

"Couldn't sleep, huh?" Ash said with a small smile when he didn't reply, and Satoshi relaxed somewhat. Of course Ash wasn't upset, he was just fine...

"Y-yeah... You?" Satoshi squeaked out. Ash strolled over towards him, sitting down next to Satoshi with a sigh.

"I was just up thinking," Ash replied, "I didn't realize how late it was at first- then I heard someone walking around and I decided to join you."

"S-sorry if I w-woke-"

Ash grinned, "You're fine, like I said, I was awake anyways," Ash's smiled faded somewhat, and he hesitated, "Satoshi... Can I ask you about today?"

Satoshi shifted uncomfortably, "Y-yeah..." He muttered. Perhaps Ash just wanted to ask how he was settling in, or get his opinion about the league being canceled, or-

"Why are you afraid of Serena?"

Satoshi went still. Of course he had the worse luck. Of course everyone noticed- he could barely hide his fear anyways. The young teen's eyes widened, and he inched away from Ash.

"I d-don't know what y-your talking about-" He began, but Ash looked at him. He knew that his counterpart could see right through the lie.

"...Did something happen with the Serena in your world?" Ash asked quietly.

Satoshi recoiled. No, no, no, no, no... dangerous waters... dangerous waters... He needed a new topic... new topic!

"Heh, just getting use to everything!" Satoshi declared, forcing a jolly tone into his voice, "This world is just so different, everything is so new!"

Ash's gaze didn't change, simply looking at Satoshi sorrowfully, "When I found you in your world you were traveling alone," Ash muttered, "And the first time we met things were clearly rocky between you and your friends..." Ash closed his eyes, "I just thought your uncertainty of Clemont and Bonnie was simply from the personality change, but after seeing Serena today..." Ash shook his head, "If something happened you can talk about it with me- I won't tell anyone if you don't want me to," Ash looked him in the eye, "Things are easier if you talk about them, you know?"

Satoshi wrapped his arms around himself, "I- I do talk about them. With Pikachu," He hesitated, "B-but you're right. S-serena... it has nothing to do with your S-serena... If I've insulted her please tell her I'm s-sorry-"

"What happened with your Serena?" Ash asked, his tone changing slightly. He wasn't being forceful, but Satoshi could simply tell that he wanted answers. Ash wanted to understand- and he was determined to get that understanding.

Satoshi hesitated, silently weighing his options. Ash had done nothing but help him, stand up for him, and support him. Ash had never mocked him for his reactions- at times pushing him to keep going- but never mocking. Satoshi gulped, opening his lips, mouth going dry.

"A-after we met the first time..." Satoshi whispered quietly, "Something happened between me and m-my S-serena..."

Ash was silent, watching him as he waited for him to continue.

"S-she told me that she... that she l-liked me..." Satoshi's voice cracked slightly.

"That's good, isn't it?" Ash said, blinking, "I mean, I wouldn't want to travel with someone that didn't like me."

Satoshi shook his head, "N-no, not like that. She liked me... she liked me in the way m-meaning she wanted to d-date me," Satoshi said, stumbling over his words, "She w-wanted me to be her b-boyfriend..." He flinched.

"Oh..." Ash said quietly, and he watched Satoshi, "...I'm guessing you didn't like her in that way back though?"

He shook his head, "No, I didn't like her in that way... I told her that, but..." He looked away, "She wouldn't take no for answer- she just kept bringing it up every moment she could, she wouldn't leave me alone and I couldn't take it-!" He hunched his shoulders, "I finally said y-yes, hoping that would make it s-stop but it only got worse! I was n-never good enough!" Satoshi cried, "I c-cried too much, I em-embarassed her, I- was w-weak-" More tears stung his eyes, and he hastily looked away, wiping them on the sleeves of his sweatshirt, "I f-finally asked w-why she even bothered if I wasn't what she w-wanted..." He closed his eyes.

"What did she say?" Ash asked quietly.

"...It was because of Father..." He muttered helplessly, "None of it was e-ever about me... even t-traveling with me... I was the s-son of the m-mighty Giovanni... I always tried to keep that from people, b-but she knew... Saw me on TV once or s-something..." Satoshi barely noticed the tears freely flowing down his face, "M-my family was rich, m-my family was powerful, my f-family was im-important... that's all she wanted..."

"Oh Satoshi..." Ash whispered.

"I finally g-got the courage to say that we w-were done dating, to leave me a-alone..." He closed his eyes, "She l-laughed- asking if I t-truly thought that she e-ever cared. S-she laughed that I was c-crying, t-told me I was w-weak and worthless.. and..." His throat tightened, "A-and then she turned Clemont and B-bonnie against me..."

Ash said nothing, simply staring at Satoshi as he told his story.

"T-they left... They all left, and I w-was alone again..." He pressed up against the couch, "I was with Jessie and James the next few days... I wasn't s-supposed to be though... They are suppose to watch over m-me, but I should be h-handling things on m-my own though..." He smiled weakly, "I'm g-glad they stayed though, I d-don't know what else I would have done..."

"I'm so sorry Satoshi..." Ash whispered, he placed a hand on his shoulder, "You don't believe a word they told you, right? What your Serena said wasn't true-"

Satoshi sighed, "But it was A-ash," Satoshi whispered, "I am weak- the only time I win battles is when my Pokemon battle on their own ignoring my comands... The P-pokemon that do listen to me are n-not as strong and don't always like battling... l-like me..."

"No Satoshi," Ash snapped, making him flinch, "There is more kinds of strength than battle power. She was just trying to find a way to hurt you- she was never a real friend- none of this was your fault!"

"...I ruin most of my friendships..." Satoshi whispered, "I'm use to it..."

"If your so called 'friends' are treating you that way then it wasn't your fault!" Ash cried, "You haven't ruined any friendships!"

"...Yes I have..." Satoshi whispered again. Ash glared at him- though the anger was clearly not directed towards him- Satoshi still had to look away.

"Name one person, and I can bet you that it wasn't your fault," Ash said.

Satoshi twitched, "...Gary."

"What did Gary do to you?" Ash asked.

"...Everything..." Satoshi whispered, "He was everything... he was my best friend... he was always there for me when we were kids..." Satoshi's throat tightened, "W-when things got really bad at h-home I always knew that Gary would be there... He's the reason I was even able to find the courage to start my journey..." Satoshi buried his head into his hands.

Ash patted his shoulder to show he was still listening.

"...Gary pretended not to be my friend," Satoshi explained quietly, "If we weren't alone we acted like we hated each other, he'd mock me, tease me, push me... That way M-mother would let me be with him without much thought."

Ash scowled, "Why would she let you be near someone that bullied you?"

Satoshi simply looked at Ash helplessly, but said nothing.

"...Satoshi?"

"But once me and Gary were alone everything was perfect," Satoshi continued, completely dropping the subject of his mother, "He was a lot like you Ash," Satoshi smiled, "He'd encourage me, he was always reassuring me that I was worth something... Those were the best times of my life, playing with Gary... Then when we became old enough to become Pokemon trainers he was the one that wouldn't let me back down," There was a gleaming in Satoshi's eyes, one that Ash had never quite seen before, "He'd never let me doubt myself- he told me that I was going to be a trainer- and I was going to be the best! If it wasn't for him I'd never would have found the courage to take Pikachu and run away from home."

"Run away?" Ash sounded surprised, and he sat up, "But I thought that your father-"

"Father found me after a day," Satoshi snapped, "I didn't get far- I was attacked by a flock of Pidgeys. Father found me and saved me- and then.. t-then-" Satoshi went deadly silent.

"Then what?"

"..." Satoshi stared down at his hands, "I'm not suppose to talk about it..." He whispered, "I can't talk about those things..." Satoshi looked up at Ash, "But Father found out," He was still whispering, eyes wide with a panic, "Father wasn't suppose to know and he found out," A desperation was entering Satoshi's voice, "He wasn't suppose to see them but he did! He saw it and he was going to make me tell him!" Satoshi scrambled back, tears flowing freely, "I lied to Father! I told him it was Gary- I lied! I blamed my best friend! I lied!"

"Satoshi!" Ash cried, reaching forward, but Satoshi jerked away from him, "Calm down, hey, um-" Ash clearly didn't know what to do, watching as his counterpart start to break down. Satoshi's skin was pale, sweat dripping down his face, his breath ragged and desperate, "Shh, we're going to wake up the others-"

Satoshi curled up on the corner of the couch, sobbing. Ash slid over towards him, hands uncertainly reaching out, unsure of what to do. He wrapped his arms around Satoshi, who stiffened up, and he pulled him into a hug. Satoshi let out another sob, but Ash simply held him. This is what his mother had always done to calm him down, and he had feeling that mirror Delia hadn't done the same.

Satoshi's sobbings died down a little, and he started speaking again, hiccupping as he tried to talk, "H-e had always tried to h-help m-me and I b-blamed him," Satoshi whispered, "I b-blamed Gary and Father th-then..."

"Blamed him for what?" Ash asked.

Satoshi went still, "I'm n-not suppose to talk about it..." He whispered, even quieter than before.

Ash so desperately wanted to ask more- to make full sense of what Satoshi was telling him- but it was quite clear that would be the wrong thing to do. Satoshi needed to know that he was there for him- not feel the pressure of someone bearing down on him. Ash simply held his counterpart as he tried to calm himself, the crying slowly coming to a stop.

"I- I'm sorry..." Satoshi whispered, pulling away from Ash. His voice seemed steady once more, though scared, and he looked away, "I should be s-stronger than that... You shouldn't have to see th-that."

"No Satoshi, you're fine," Ash said, "I'm here to help you- to stand with you. You didn't do anything wrong, I'm here to listen."

Satoshi looked at Ash, his brown eyes gleaming with his tears, "Th-thank you," He managed to whisper, gratitude welling within him. A part of him felt... lighter. Like some of the weight he had been carrying had been taken from him. Satoshi wrung his hands, realizing Ash had been right- talking had helped... somewhat, "I- I think I c-can sleep now..."

Ash nodded, getting to his feet. Satoshi followed suit, and Ash spoke again, "...If you ever feel like you're ready to tell me everything, the whole story, I'll listen," Ash said, "But if it's too much then I won't press."

Satoshi's gut twisted, "R-right."

But knew that Ash wouldn't get the full story- because he wasn't suppose to talk about it.

Ash hesitated, then pulled something out of his pocket, "H-here, this is for you."

Something cold was pressed into his hands. Satoshi held it up, trying to see what it was in the dim light of the night. Satoshi felt his blood running cold as he looked at the transparent green stone- a small lightning bolt shape running through the center.

A thunderstone.

"N-no-" Satoshi began, and Ash held up his hands.

"I'm not saying to evolve your Pikachu!" Ash explained hastily, "I just want you to hold onto it, that's all!"

"I can't evolve him," Satoshi whispered.

"You can," Ash said, stepping forward. Satoshi was about to step back, but Ash placed a hand on his shoulder, "This is Pikachu we're talking about- evolution will not change your friendship for the worse. You said that you talk to him about what has happened to you- that means he understands you," Ash smiled, "All I'm asking you to do is hold onto the thunderstone. When you're ready, give it to him. If you're never ready, then don't give it to him, I won't push you. Just hold onto it, you can do that, right?"

"Y-yes..."

Ash smiled, "See? You don't need to try to handle everything at once, just do one step at a time," He nodded to the thunderstone, "Maybe you aren't ready to evolve him, but you are ready to face the courage to have the stone with you. One step at a time."

Satoshi stared down at the stone, then slipped it away into the pocket on his sweatshirt, "Y-yeah..."

Ash hesitated, then wrapped his arms around Satoshi, "I'm going to head back to bed now, okay? If you need anything feel free to wake me up, I'll be here."

"Th-thank you," Satoshi whispered, throat tightening as Ash turned to leave, "G-good night."

"Good night Satoshi," Ash said, and then he was gone.

Satoshi stared at the empty doorway, his hands still wrapped around the thunderstone. He didn't bring it out of his pocket though, but instead collapsed onto the couch. He curled up, quickly deciding that he didn't have the energy to head back to his room. He leaned against the arm of the couch, trying to get comfortable. He closed his eyes, trying to drain his mind of the many thoughts and memories crowding his head.

Finally, at long last, sleep overtook him.