"" - Human speech

'' - Pokémon speech (humans cannot understand it)

Disclaimers: I do not own Pokémon and am not in any way affiliated with it.

This story is not at all related to what has happened in the anime series thus far, and the beginning is based solely on a theory thought up by the Pokémon fan community.

So I was planning on Ash going to the Alola region in the second chapter (if there is one; I know the first chapter is slightly boring...), but sorry if I mess up some things about the Alola region; I will try my best to make it all fit with what has been released about the game, so if something is wrong, please don't hate, but comment what you think is wrong, and if I agree, I will try my best to fix it :)

Also, yes, Pikachu is a boy. I tried my best to keep him without a gender, but it just couldn't happen. I'm sorry, but it is what it is xD.

This is my first ever fanfiction, so I hope you enjoy!

It was a perfect day. The sun shined through the trees and onto the ocean surrounding all of Kanto, causing it to sparkle with the light of millions of rays of the sun, dancing up and down as waves rushed towards the shore, washing up on the island.

Up and down the many streets of Kanto kids played, trained, and raced with their Pokémon. Some threw and caught frisbees, some lifted weights and learned new moves, while others participated in races against their fellow trainers, laughing and jumping up and down with joy as they cheered on their partners and best friends.

But beyond that lay a dark grey building on the outskirts of Cinnabar Island. It shadowed over the entire beach on which stood, quite opposite from the jovial feeling that accompanied Kanto. Surrounding it was a black picket fence, standing 5 feet high, making any traveler turn back in fear. It was Cinnabar hospital, known for its out-of-the-world research and development in mental damage; including comas, concussions, and more.

So although the building seems dark and menacing, inside was a much different story. Inside, was a 15-year old boy. Inside was a Pikachu; one who has lain on the boy's bed for the past five years along with his mom, waiting for him to wake up. And on that very day, their one and only hope and wish was about to come true.

The monitor attached to the teenage boy suddenly beeped loud and quick. What had been a steady heartbeat for years had now spiked. Pikachu and Delia jerked their heads up from where they were previously resting on the edges of the bed. The next second, Ash Ketchum of Pallet Town was sitting up right in front of them, sweat pouring down his back.

Just then, two nurses came rushing in, holding IV bags and who knows what else. They wheeled in yet another machine and started attaching all sorts of things to the boy. All Pikachu and Delia could do was look on helplessly as Ash struggled against the ropes tethering him to the living world. At last another nurse came in and held Ash down until he gave up his attempts to escape.

He then mumbled something and looked around frantically, craning his head up in an attempt to see. He looked everywhere, but there was nothing around him except for the gaping Pikachu and his mom, just as in shock.

Ash was still breathing hard when the three left the room to inform the doctor. Pikachu hopped onto the bed as Delia leaned forward, and saw silent tears running down Ash's face.

"Ash?" Said his mom, concerned. "What's wrong?"

'Pika Pika!' Said Pikachu, sharing her concerns for the boy.

Unfortunately, he didn't seem to hear them and soon Ash was shaking and sobbing into the sheets, unable to stop. Delia and Pikachu ran over to him, trying in vain to help, yet not knowing what's wrong.

"They left me. Every single one of them. Even Brock, Misty, May-none of them cared about me." Ash cried. "Not even-not even Serena."

At that even more sobs racked his body, and he buried his head into his pillow, covering his ears, trying to wake up from what seemed like a terrible dream.

Delia and Pikachu turned towards each other, both as confused as the other. Eventually Delia turned around and slowly pulled back the covers, easing Ash onto his side and caressing his face as she did, murmuring soothing words the entire time.

Finally Ash managed to calm down enough so that he could lie still, though the tears still rolled down his face, dropping onto the pillow, which was now soaked with the droplets. After a few more minutes, Delia saw her son had mainly recovered from whatever had caused him so much grief, and decided to ask.

"Okay, so would you mind explaining this from the beginning? I know you just woke up, and everything must be very confusing and frightening for you, but I promise I will tell you my story if you tell me yours."

Ash slowly nodded his head in understandment, and sat back up again. Out of instinct he reached to his belt for his pokéballs, but found nothing there. Tears threatened to explode out of him once again, but this time he managed to hold them back.

Slowly Ash took a raspy breath and began his tale. Hours upon hours passed. Days turn into nights, then back again, but still Pikachu and Delia sat and listen to Ash patiently as his five year journey was told.

Pikachu laughed at all the different adventures the two supposedly went on together, and Delia shook her head disapprovingly at the both of them, worried about how much danger they could have gotten in. But then she realized none of it was real, and simply smiled at the close bond Pikachu and Ash seemed to share.

After what seemed like weeks, and probably was, Ash collapsed from fatigue, finally finished with his tale. Delia leaned back as well, but Pikachu only bounded up to Ash, snuggling in with his best friend. Ash laughed, happy and relieved that at least one of his friends stayed with him.

"So Ash." Delia finally said, breaking the silence. "That was quite the story you told, and I really am very sorry that all these people you talked about don't exist. But I made you a promise. I will tell you my story as soon as you are ready."

Ash perked up, surprising Pikachu, who became squished under the bed covers despite his protests, as Ash, oblivious to Pikachu, propped his head up with his elbow, eyes wide, wanting to know exactly what had happened.

"Nope. I'm fine. Tell me!" Ash said eagerly.

Delia smiled at the familiar personality of her son, glad to see him almost back to his normal self.

"No, I think you should get some more rest. You haven't slept since you began your story! Although then again, you did sleep for five years… I never knew you could oversleep that much! Delia said jokingly.

Ash's eyes widened at this new information.

"Five years! I can't believe it. Wait, how?"

Delia began to walk towards the door, but turned her head back and smiles.

"Like I said, that must be a story for another day."

At that point in time, Pikachu had finally managed to squirm his way out from under the sheets, and having heard the entire conversation thus far, joined Ash in his puppy-dog stare, knowing Delia had quite a talent for telling stories.

Delia sighed once again.

"Alright… But you have to promise me you'll get a nice long rest after I'm done, okay?"

Both Ash and Pikachu nodded their heads eagerly, even though Delia had directed it towards Ash only.

Delia tucked the two of them back in as Ash lies down again, then went to settle down in the chair next to his bed. The nurses and doctor had long ago cleared out the many machines filling the hospital room except for one, so there was plenty of space for Delia. And so the story began.

"Five years ago, you were a little boy. You were only 10, the age where you get your first Pokémon. The day where you receive your starter, you woke up late and rushed to Professor Oak's lab, hoping that you still had a chance. Lucky for you, the Professor was kind enough to give you Pikachu, even though Pikachu is not technically a Kanto starter. Soon enough, you came out, I reminded you to give your underwear, and you then set off on your journey."

Ash grinned as he remembered that day, and held Pikachu closer.

"Well," Delia continued. "I'm not entirely sure how this happened, but the next day, I started to get worried. You were supposed to call me in the morning so I could make sure you weren't eaten alive."

"Mom... " Ash groaned.

"Anyways… I went to Professor Oak, and he agreed to help me search for you. Well, only a few miles from Pallet Town, we found you and Pikachu on the ground, unconscious. So we rushed you to the nearest hospital, praying for you to wake up. The doctors said you were fine… but they didn't know how long you would be in a coma."

Ash looked mortified.

"I remember that! There was a Rattata rummaging through my backpack, and after I shooed it away, I saw a ton of Pidgey had gathered behind me. I was quite frustrated at that point, so I threw a rock at it. Well, it turned out to be a Spearow, and it started to attack me and Pikachu here. Pikachu, brave as he is, shot a thunderbolt at the Spearow. However, that just ended up alerting the entire flock, and before we knew it, we were riding off a cliff. I must have hit my head pretty hard. I guess the dreams just started from there." Ash said sadly.

'Pika Pika!' Pikachu snuggled up next to Ash, hating to relive the memory as well. He could remember how Ash had saved him, finding him on the ground, and shouting for help.

"No wonder." Delia said, tears in her eyes. She dabbed them away, looking down as she continued on. "Well, when we brought you to the hospital, we never realized Pikachu was right on our tails, just as worried about you. He managed to sneak into the room and keep watch over you the entire time. Never have I seen a Pokémon so loyal to their trainer as Pikachu is to you." Delia looked affectionately at Pikachu, grateful for the friendship he provided which she suspected kept Ash sane.

"Anyways, there's really nothing to tell after that. You stayed in your coma for five years, and although I had to stay home to take care of the house, Pikachu never left your side. We never gave up hope, and it sure was a good thing we didn't."

"Thanks, bud. I always knew you would come through." Ash said to Pikachu, in awe that he had never left him. He was extremely honored, and soon enough, tears of joy sprang to his eyes as he held Pikachu close, never wanting to let him go.

"Alright, now a promise is a promise. Go to sleep." Delia said, smiling.

"Do I have to?..." Ash groaned, having forgotten all about that. "I've had enough sleep for a lifetime."

Delia simply walked out the door, turning off the light behind her.

'Pika Pi!' Pikachu said, annoyed Delia was making them sleep.

"I know, buddy, I know." But even as he spoke, Ash yawned, and started drifting off to sleep.

Pikachu looked at him understandingly, and burrowed under the blankets, feeling the warmth of Ash's sleeping body.