Pikachu led Ash towards the lab that was just ahead. He had managed to shake himself from his thoughts enough to make it there without needing to be held by the hand. He still looked thoughtful and in his own mind. But not as much as before.

"Ash." She said as she nudged him gently to get his attention. "Were here." She said, and it wasn't untrue. They had a bit to go to get to the door, but she had stopped them near some bushes where they could keep hidden.

He roused himself from his thoughts. His mind had been in the process of going over what he had been told maybe an hour before. He looked up and saw the glass of the lab reflecting the sun's rays from it and saw some movement inside. Pikachu held him back a bit and looked on at the lab and approached it. She was making sure that Oak was inside, as she and the rest of the Pokemon of the group had agreed, they would keep him safe and hidden until Oak would arrive back.

He seemed to have returned and he looked furious. Pikachu had never seen the old Professor so angry before. He was on the phone and the barely audible shouting could be heard through the glass. He looked like he hadn't slept at all, and her stomach sank as she could very well assume why. They had been looking for Ash and her, she surmised. She steeled her resolve though.

What they had done had been a necessary precaution, and she wouldn't feel bad about it. She turned and motioned Ash to follow her.

Quilava had parted ways to take care of other needs for himself some half an hour before and so the two were alone for now. She figured they wouldn't be for long if any of the others caught wind that Ash was here. Their natural concern for their friend would make them want to come here and be here for him. At least those available, she thought as she remembered Pidgeot and Staraptor in their nest with the newly laid eggs.

Ash sidled up to her, and his ears perked as he heard the a raised voice the other side and his head dropped, ears wilted and he looked ashamed. "I've really done it now, haven't I?" He asked as he looked over to Pikachu, who gave him a firm look and shook her head. "No. You haven't done anything Ash. Not this time." She said firmly to him and took his hand with a firm grip. He winced but he didn't protest. Her grip was like iron, and there was something about her determined gaze that helped ease the growing stone of guilt that was weighing his stomach down.

"Come on." She said firmly and entered the lab. It was always open for the Pokemon that wanted to get inside, at least when the Professor remembered to unlock it. He seemed to have remembered, or simply forgotten to lock it back up. He looked angry enough to be running himself ragged.

"Have you looked in the other forests? Maybe he took a walk, or went out on a small trip." Was a voice that both Pokemon recognized as Brock coming from the phone. Oak didn't look happy, but he wasn't raising his voice like before. What they had only heard were muffled and angry rants.

"Yes! We looked the other day and his Pokemon haven't seen hide nor hair of the boy! I asked Officer Jenny to scour the area in case he was simply on a walkabout but, we don't know if he's definitely there. We only know he came here, spent some time with his Pokemon, then poofed alongside with Pikachu. You know he never goes anywhere without her." Oak said in response and he looked frustrated, tired. And scared.

Not a lot of things phased the old Professor anymore, but hearing that Ash had suddenly disappeared from the face of the earth? That made his scared. Scared for the boy, for his safety. Where had he gone? Was he safe? Oh by Arceus' light, let him be safe!

These were the thoughts that went through his mind as he ran his fingers through his graying hair. Stubble covered his face, giving it a sort of handsome, if a sort of rogue like look of salt and pepper. Though it was offset with the gaunt look on his face. The stress was getting to him, so was the fatigue.

"Alright." Said Brock on the other voice. He sounded like he was holding it together a lot better than Oak was. "I'll see if I can't help too. I'll go out in an hour or so, maybe we can catch him along one of the routes. He can't be too far." Brock said, and the call cut off. Oak having neither the energy anymore or the care to give a proper goodbye and Brock could tell that much.

Oak sat there on the phone, his hands in his face and rubbing at his temple. It made Pikachu feel more guilty about what she had done but still kept her resolve. She approached with Ash in tow and said. Professor. As a greeting.

At the noise of "Pikachu." Oak's head snapped up and he saw Pikachu. And with surprising speed for his age and fatigue, he was on her, rushing out with questions. "Pikachu! Where's Ash? Is he hurt, where is he? Tell me, now!" He said, his demand coming with his sudden temper of concern and he neither cared or wanted to know how he must look to Pikachu.

She only gave him a steely look before easing it to concern and motioned to her side. Or rather behind her. Oak hadn't noticed the other Pikachu before, too focused on the one he knew so well and too ingrained in his worry and fury.

The sight of the other electric rodent peeking out from behind Pikacu made him balk and stop.

The Pokemon had tears in his eyes, and he was wiping them away as fast as they formed, trying to clearly hold them back. His head was down, unable to meet Oak's eyes and his ears were pinned back on his head. Scared and looking guilty the Pikachu hesitantly met his eyes.

It took a few moments. First he thought he was seeing things. Maybe his lack of sleep had finally gotten to him. He hadn't slept a wink since he had gotten the news. And when he had it had been on the way back home. Then he thought it might be wishful thinking. Just wishful thinking on the fact that he had wanted Ash to be safe. And then it hit him as he looked at him properly for a few heartbeats. That was Ash alright. He would recognize those markings anywhere, and the way that the boy carried himself when he felt or knew he had done something wrong.

The shock was too much.

Oak was silent for a bit, then he took a step back. Stumbled as one of his legs gave out under him and he collapsed on his ass. His limbs shaking and eyes wide with shock and disbelief.

He felt his throat tighten for a moment as he tried to talk. Then he swallowed slowly. "H-How?" He asked, then took a breath as he shook his head. "No. No, never mind. Right now I don't want to know." He said and shook his head and closed his eyes.

"Ash. Come here." He said in a tone that brokered no argument and Ash obeyed his elder. He approached him carefully. Pikachu watching Oak like a hawk and folding her arms defensively half stepping in front of Ash to protect him.

"I won't hurt him, I just want to look at him." Oak reassured, a bit more force then he wanted in his voice. Blame it on his weariness and fatigue.

Pikachu looked at Oak but nodded and let Ash go to him the silence was tense as Ash approached the Professor a bit more.

Cold and clammy hands wrapped their way around his barrel and hefted him up on a lap that felt tense and agitated. Ash looked up at the gaunt eyes of the old man and shivered a bit. Fear and shame wracked his body. The Professor was examining the Pikachu carefully with his eyes, before moving and gently pulling on the ears, cheeks, of course minding the pouches, and then at him proper.

"You really are Ash.. Aren't you?" He asked. His voice half stern half hopeful. And the Pokemon gave a hesitant nod in response, and then grew more in motion. The tears that the Pokemon was trying to hold back slipped by his defenses and the little body racked with sobs as he tackled the old man gently on the chest.

I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry. He repeated over and over again as he hugged Oak as tight as his little paws allowed him. Oak in return hugged the little Pokemon tightly and silently. He couldn't offer any words, but he was just glad and relieved that Ash was okay and he was back. His mind puzzled over this as he looked Ash over. He was completely and utterly a Pokemon. A Pikachu for that matter. He looked over to the young man's partner and he saw her face of concern. Her arms were folded and she was looking to and fro each of them. Trying to gauge Oak's mood.

What were his feelings on this matter? Well, first off. He was relieved that Ash was safe and sound. Delia whom had been panicking and trying to go out to look for her son on her own was distraught to say the least. She had feared that Ash had perhaps run away, given up on his dreams. Maybe finally succumb to the growing pressure from losing the competitions he entered for all these years. Her mind had gone through potentials and reasons both plausible and nigh implausible.
It didn't help that the poor boy didn't have his father around. So he had no trusted male figure to talk to about these things. She had feared that the limitations of what she could offer hadn't been enough. These were understandable fears.

Ash had run them all ragged in one way or another for the past few days. And that made him disappointed. No. Absolutely furious.

It must have shown on his face a little because Pikachu was on him. She had drawn in close and something about her look made him pause. She was scowling and staring daggers at him, something about her look just told him. Don't blame Ash. And he had to pause. He looked at her questioningly and then looked down at Ash, as if asking. "He wasn't at fault?" Silently. Her response was a shake of her head, and she thumped her chest with a firm steely look. His own eyes turned firm. Now he was questioning why she had admitted this, but then found his answer immediately. She was protecting Ash. He had no blame in this, that was made clear. His Pokemon were the ones that had taken the decision to hide away the boy and keep him away from any human that came by to look.

As he looked down at the crying Pokemon, whom was clinging to him and clearly asking for his forgiveness and his gaze softened. He had to let go of his frustrations and anger and at the moment that was a difficult task. But he could see the reason. The logic of it. That didn't mean he was happy with it, but he could see the reason why.

Giving a soft tired sigh Oak gently removed Ash from his chest. The Pikachu looked up and sniffled lightly as he tried to hold back his tears. Ash was always an earnest boy. A good young man with a kind heart

"Its alright Ash." He said gently to him and petted his head gently. "I forgive you. It's alright." He eased or at least tried too. It seemed to work somewhat and he seemed to smile weakly at his reassurance.

"Alright then." Oak began and looked at the two with a more curious gaze. He wasn't completely calm, but most of his worries were at least eased for now. "How did this happen?" He asked, and the answer he got since they couldn't exactly talk to him was in the form of charades.

Pikachu had approached Ash and they had talked about something and then they began to play a rather over dramatized version, he was sure of the events that had happened.

He had gotten the picture though. "Alright. So, you were all asleep when it happened and when you woke up he was suddenly just. A Pikachu?" He offered, rubbing at his temples at the conundrum he was faced with. The two nodded at him and looked at him with two different sets of gazes. One hopeful, the other determined.

Oak closed his eyes and willed away the headache that was rising behind his closed eyes. He was tired, he was running on fumes and he really didn't have time for this. But he would make time. "Alright, alright. Let's see here." He said as he began to stand up and made to walk about the lap to keep his body active while his tired brain thought of potential reasons for why this happened. But the problem was there could be so many! Right now he was drawing a blank on the exact reason.

The issue could be mainly from human interference. Maybe Ash drank something or did something without him knowing? Maybe someone had sent a dosage of some sort of gas that he inhaled. No, no that last one was preposterous, his Pokemon would have sensed it or smelled it or something and they would have acted fiercely to protect him if someone had done that.

He then had to think of the other side of things. One he didn't delve to often into because. Why would they care? The only thing he could really consider was that it was an act done by a Legendary. That was the only potential he could think of. They were creatures of immense power, so logic dictated that they could then potentially somehow do this. But again the issue was on the why. Why would one of them care about one boy out of millions? The Professor stopped and gave his head a shake. "Alright, potential theory." He said, figuring he could voice it. "And mind you, it's only a theory." He stated a bit more firmly as he looked over at the two Pikachu. "My theory is that a Legendary may have involved itself in this somehow. We can't be sure who until they actually bring themselves to tell us in person, if at all. And mind you there are very few Legendary Pokemon that can do this. But, they are still too many to adequately guess correctly." He stated as he looked at the two, and they looked at each other.

So.. Ash said to Pikachu. I'm like this because.. A Legendary did this? He offered, confused. I.. Why? He asked. And it was a fair question to give.

I don't know Ash. She said to him and approached him to give him a hug. But don't worry about it okay? She tried to reassure. We'll figure this out. You'll see. She said to him and gently nudged him, and he gave her a weak smile as his answer.

"I can only guess you were both asking and reassuring here and I can only answer the question I think you were giving. And say, I don't know." Oak stated and then closed his eyes. He swayed as his exhaustion got the better of him and reached his hand out to a table to support himself. Ash and Pikachu approached him with concern and he gently waved them off. "I'm fine, I'm fine. Just tired." He said as he tried to shoo them away. There wasn't much they could do for him anyway so they backed off respectfully as they watched him.

He sat there with his hands on his face, rubbing his tired eyes and trying to regain focus of his faculties and thoughts. Ash was safe for now and that was the only thing that mattered for now. The why and how he had been transformed into a Pokemon didn't matter for now.

"Alright." He roused himself as he came to a decision. "I will need a few things from you Ash. Hair, blood or skin samples just so I can break down if you are completely changed. If you are…" Oak's voice trailed off. This wasn't something they could just change right away. This was complicated. "Well if you are completely changed. We'll figure something out." He said with a half defeated sigh. Finding no other alternative or solution. What else could he do really?

Ash didn't look very comfortable with the idea of having tests made on him and neither did Pikachu. But she looked begrudging and encouraged Ash.

The next fifteen minutes were painstaking to say the least. Ash didn't have good control of his electricity so when his fear spiked of the needle that had to draw blood, he had panicked and his Electricity had acted accordingly. It had taken Pikachu tackling Ash down as he ran away and to hold him down and soak up his weak lightning attacks. She managed to calm him down, and take his attention away while Oak took the chance. It was done over in a few moments, and Ash was rewarded with a pat on the head as Oak finished.

"There, all done." He said with a tone a lot more kind than it had been before. Ash looked at them both, the look a little hurt but defeated. He gave a whine and shook himself as Pikachu stepped off. Unfair. He mumbled out at Pikachu whom only gave him a smile.

Hey, I don't like it as much as you do but if Oak can find anything out about this, it's worth it. She said to him and gently nudged him. He still didn't look happy but she had mollified his mood a little.

He rubbed at the sore spot on his hand and gave a pout at the ache. Still. He said as he frowned and Pikachu smiled at him and gave him a nudge.

Oh come on you big baby. She said to him teasingly and tugged at him gently to follow her. He did but he still didn't look happy.

"Alright." Oak said as he took his samples, one hair and one blood sample and stored them for later. "I am going to have to make a few calls, then sleep. Meanwhile you two do whatever.. You have been doing." He said pausing as he figured out he didn't know what they had been doing the whole time they had been gone. "I am going to have to tell Tracey about that you two are found and that he needs to leave extra food bowls for you." He said to the two. Pikachu looked like she wanted to argue but Ash stopped her.

It's a good idea Pikachu, he's going to have to know either way. Ash interjected and that made her pause. She thought it over and it was sound reasoning. Tracey was never shown or told because he might say or do something which would let others know. Others that none of his Pokemon wanted to investigate Ash's dilemma without prior knowledge or even trust for that matter. Call them overprotective and selfish but this wasn't a usual occurrence, so yes. They were being a bit too cautious maybe but to Pikachu it was better to be safe than sorry.

Pikachu gave a nod of understanding and she and Ash left the building. Leaving Oak to do what needed to be done. He watched the two leave his face growing more determined than before and he went back to the phone. He had some calls to make. First he called Delia, Ash's mother. She wouldn't be happy to hear what he had to say, but then again he hadn't been either and still wasn't pleased with what he knew. But it was as it was and he or anyone else couldn't change it. No matter how much they wanted too.

Outside of the building Ash and Pikachu walked away, leaving Oak to what he needed to do. Ash was still looking downcast and morose. Having seen how worried Oak had been had made him feel responsible. Pikachu wanted to tell him that it wasn't his fault. To reassure and console him on the subject but she had tried before and it seemed that no matter what she would say she wouldn't be able to say anything to change his mind. At least for now. The guilt was too much it seemed.

She gave a soft sigh to herself and the two wandered into the forest. Being approached by some of the Pokemon here, both by their team and by others and offering their greetings. One face that Pikachu hadn't seen for a while was Gary's Umbreon. She usually stuck around with him but her being here could mean either two things. Gary was home with Oak and probably looking for them or Gary had sent her off in exchange for another Pokemon. Either case could be possible.

"There you are!" Came her voice as she approached the two. "Where have you been?! Gary and Oak have been looking all over for you!" She admonished. Her tone harsh and scolding which made Ash wince. "And who's your friend here?" She asked as he looked at Ash with suspicion and distrust.

"Umbreon cut it out." Pikachu shot back, her cheeks sparking with her annoyance as she approached the Dark type with a firm glare. "We already went to see Oak, and we talked it through. You don't need to worry about Ash anymore." She said, trying to nudge her away. Umbreon didn't relent.

"Don't need to worry?" Umbreon said with an angered tone. "Gary is beside himself! When he heard that Ash had gone missing he and Oak came here as fast as they could! We've been looking nonstop." She shot back and Ash gave a wince once again. The pit of his stomach only growing with guilt.

"I'm sorry." He said meekly as he looked down. "I didn't know.." He mumbled out and rubbed at his arm. His ears wilting further down and tears forming in his eyes.

This made Umbreon blanch and she looked at him. "Wait. What?" She asked. Confusion came first then it was replaced by anger. "Who the hell do you think you are saying that?!" She asked with a growl as she approached Ash with a snarl. "You aren't Ash! He's a human! I would know because I've seen that twerp for years and you look nothing like him!" She barked out, trying to pin the male Pikachu down but before she could do so and shake him for answers, she felt a blow come to the side of her chest. An Iron tail courtesy of Pikachu.

"Umbreon. Back. Off." Pikachu said warningly and she was over the shocked Pokemon. Cheeks sparking and her glower furious. "Now shut up and let me talk." She said as she stepped away. Normally Umbreon would accept a challenge from Pikachu but the past day or so had been hectic and stressful and so she was absolutely gobsmacked at Pikachu's behavior. So was Ash. He looked guilty and torn on what to do.

Pikachu took a calming breath and then said in a firm but calm tone. "Umbreon, the Pikachu with me is Ash. It really is him, I am not lying." She said firmly to the Pokemon. Umbreon stood slowly up. Her side hurt a little but the blow hadn't been as severe as Pikachu could make it. She had been holding back and Umbreon could feel that so she gave her the benefit of the doubt for this one time. "Alright." She said slowly to her. "Let's say I believe you. Let's say that I believe that your friend over there is Ash. Can you tell me what happened?" She asked her and she raised an eyebrow at her. Expecting her to not give her a straight out answer.

"To be honest we don't know. Oak gave a decent enough theory but it's only a theory." Pikachu said and folded her arms with a frown.

"And that is?" Offered Umbreon. Her doubt rising in her voice, which made Pikachu sigh. "That there may be a Legendary involved." Pikachu offered and Umbreon gave a barking laugh at that.

"Y-You and the Prof.. Think that.. A Legendary would do something like that?" She asked rolling to her side and laughing loudly. Not trying to be mocking but it was hard for her to believe.

Pikachu rolled her eyes at her rivals display and lack of tact. "I did tell you it was a theory." Pikachu reaffirmed sternly and Umbreon calmed down enough to get back up and wipe a few tears from her eyes. "Okay, okay." She said with halting laughter. "Let's say that this theory has some merit to it. But the question comes up again. Why?" She asked. "Ash isn't anything special." She pointed out.

"Actually.." Pikachu said hesitantly and that made Umbreon narrow her eyes. "What?" She asked with a bark to her question. "Well.." Pikachu began, and then told some of the stories that had happened with Ash and her. She told first of Mewtwo and Mew, then so on and so on.

"Wait. Wait a minute. Why am I only hearing this now?" She asked incredulous. Gary and Ash had been rivals for years, and it was only after one of the League's when Gary had been defeated and trumped by Ash and his skills as a competent if not unorthodox trainer in his Pokemon battles that had shown his prowess and made her master finally step off his high horse and learn some humility and gratitude. So hearing about these adventures just now especially when the Professor of all people knew of all if not most of them.

"Well, to be fair. You never asked. And Gary never asked Ash." Pikachu stated flatly and looked on with a shrug. "So we never brought it up because neither of us tend to brag about these things. What's the point?" She offered and Umbreon looked towards Ash whom only gave a mute but affirmed nod.

"Pretty much. I never saw the point of it." He agreed. "It was fun and all, but there were also a lot of dangers. And I nearly died on more than one occasion." He said truthfully. His comment earned him a smack from Pikachu by her tail. "Ow!" Ash exclaimed painfully as he rubbed at his cheek.

"What was that for?" He asked in a whine as he looked over to Pikachu.

"You did die. Once." She said with folded forepaws. "And it's a fact I'll never let you forget." She stated and huffed.

Umbreon only looked at Ash and then blinked. "How…?" She asked, trailing off and not knowing how to continue her question further. Ash gave a sigh as he said to her; "It was a long time ago. When I was what, still Ten right?" He asked and looked to Pikachu whom gave a nod.
"Pretty much." She confirmed. "Right, ten. Brock, Misty and I went with a large group of trainers…" He explained and went into the story of how they first met Mewtwo, Pikachu filling in the gaps where Ash had forgotten certain details, all the while Umbreon listening with rapt attention.

"And so when I saw how all of the Pokemon, both clones and originals were all fighting each other without moves or anything. And Mew and Mewtwo only making things worse. I tried to stop them. So, I went in between them, trying to stop it. But I didn't see the two attacks they formed and, well. They clashed. With me in the middle. And then it all went black." He said and trailed off a little, then looked to Pikachu whom was looking to the side, remembering the day.
She took a deep breath and then explained. "The arena stood still after that. Everyone was well. Dead silent and surprised on what happened.." She said and trailed off to explain what happened afterwards. How all the Pokemon whom had seen the desperate act of Ash trying to stop the fighting had turned to stone and technically, by all counts. Died. And then how every single one of the Pokemon had wept. And for some reason how their tears had managed to revive Ash. He had come back to normal and somehow been completely fine.

"The brave oaf managed to stop the fighting too, and managed to somehow. Put sense into Mewtwo." She said as she hugged her Trainer and dearest friend close to her chest, making him groan in exasperation of her affection but not shunning it.
He gave her a weak smile as he gently held her back. "It worked at least." He offered and it made her huff with dry and sarcastic amusement.
"Yes but at what cost you silly Pichu." She said and gently tugged his ear gently which made him protest. "Ow, ow, not the ear!" He whined.

She smiled at him and gave a soft chuckle. "So there you have it. We've had a lot of adventures in regards to meeting Legendaries. But we never saw the point of bragging." She said and she looked proud of it too. Umbreon only sat there in stunned silence. Blinking her red eyes and then shaking her head gently.
"Wow. I mean. Just. Wow." She admitted and then rubbed at her eyes as best she could with her paws. "I mean. Well shit." She cursed. Not knowing what else to say to that.

"If I hadn't experienced all of it myself, I would agree with you." Pikachu agreed with a smile and Ash just looked confused and then looked at Pikachu whom sighed and told him gently; "I'll explain later." She said and he gave a mute nod and looked on at the recovering Umbreon.

"Well, alright." Umbreon said with a nod. "I'm convinced. That's Ash." She said with a nod. "I'll tell the rest of my team so we can meet up with the Prof. and get Gary there. Maybe Oak will tell him what's going on." She said and then looked at Ash with a narrow eyed look. "But I am still confused on what makes you so special." She admitted.

This caused Ash to raise his front paws to the air and exclaiming rather heatedly. "Beats me! If you ever get a chance to meet one, chew on them until you get an answer." He said sarcastically to her which made her scoff.
"I may just do that." She promised and shook her head. Understanding the frustration but feeling slightly hurt that he had put it on her.

As she left, Ash could already feel the pit of guilt in his stomach again. "I.. Ugh." He said as he sat down. "What's wrong with me Pikachu?" He asked his friend whom looked at him with a half bemused and half reproachful look.
"You're frustrated and confused. More than the rest of us I bet." She said to him and sat with him and looked at him with a firm look. "But that doesn't mean you should put it on others. You know that will only make things worse." She scolded him and he winced.
"I know. And I already feel bad about it.." He murmured and his ears wilted with his guilt as he looked down. She had to look at him for a moment before smiling again and holding him gently.
"You really are like a Pichu." She said with a soft scoff of amusement, and it was told in a teasing tone.

"Yeah well… not as much as you!" Ash shot back and it only made her laugh. "Come on then Ash." She said as she nudged him on. He walked with her, sulking slightly the whole trip back.

The next day the two arrived at the Labs back yard where Tracey usually gave all the Pokemon their food like usual. They saw all the rest come in at their own pace, but halted as they saw a few familiar humans there.

Oak, Gary and Tracey were there. Oak and Gary having grim faces as they watched the Pokemon come in. Clearly waiting for something or rather someone.

Ash looked on at the small group waiting for them and gave a small nervous gulp at their faces. Well.. He said as he shifted. I guess we aren't going to get any good news. He said in a soft mutter and with the helpful encouragement and presence of Pikachu, Ash made his way forward.

The three humans looked at them arrive but it was Gary that looked the most baffled. He looked at Ash with baffled amazement. "Wait, you weren't kidding." He said, going through the same phase of shock that his Umbreon funnily enough had gone through, but not to the same extent.

He shook his head, trying to clear it of the thoughts that were going through his mind and stay on task.

"Alright, now I see the problem." Gary admitted. They had clearly been talking over this and discussing it. Tracey looked at Ash and gave a sigh as he should have known this was something that could have happened. After the adventure in the Orange Islands and on the trials he had seen briefly there, so he was aware how Ash could somehow get himself into strange trouble or into strange scenarios.

Ash looked at them both and gave a groan. Really? He asked as he saw their reaction.
They looked at him and then at each other. Even if they couldn't understand his words, the tone that came out of that 'Pikachu?' Told them the meaning and they had to smile. "Yeah it's him alright." Gary said and looked at his Grandfather for guidance on this. "So? What do we do about it?" Asked Gary, and it was a fair enough question. This was fairly out of his knowledge and he guessed, even out of his grandfathers. But the old man looked as stoic as ever.

"We tell him the truth." Oak said and the two beside him looked at him with a pause. Ash didn't know Oak as much as the two beside him. Gary knew Oak since he'd been a toddler, and Tracey, even though his assistant for only a few years knew Oak well enough to note the change in his tone. He sounded defeated and sad.

He held his head up though and looked to Ash and Pikachu, and as he saw them approach, noted that Ash's Pokemon were coming too. He waited for a bit as they all seemed to come within earshot and they halted as they finally noted Oak standing there with Ash and Pikachu.

Some of the older ones looked tense the others ranging from curious to worried.

"I'm sad to say Ash, I don't think there is anything I can do. So far as I've seen of the DNA results, you are a Pokemon completely. Down to the molecular level." He said and then paused for a moment to let it sink in. "I can't change that. I'm sorry. And I don't think any human means can reverse it. Whatever this is it's up to you to figure out." He said and looked at Ash as he let it sink into his mind.

It took it a while to fully settle. And Ash sat down, looking dumb struck and silent.

Pikachu came to his side, looking concerned for him. He sat down, feeling weak in the knees. "I, I guess. I already knew but." He said as he swallowed the lump in his throat. "I guess I just never wanted to hear it." He said as he took as deep of a breath he could, and then looked to Oak and gave a nod to show he understood.

Oak exhaled the breath he had been silently holding himself. This was at least going well so far.

"In light of that, I've decided that I will allow you to stay here, for as long as you stay a Pokemon as well as your team." He said as he looked at the gathering Pokemon, watching and listening to the events unfolding. "You don't need to worry, you can all go into the wild if you prefer that. But if you stay here you'll have stable food at least and company." He said with a weak smile. "I wanted to offer it, as it's the least I could do."

Ash looked at Oak and stood back up and hugged his leg. He hugged it as tight as he could to give his thanks to Oak.

Oak got the idea, and crouched to hug him proper. "I'm sorry Ash." He said as he held him. "I did all I could. I really did." He said and drew him back and Ash gave a nod. "I'll have to tell the others, and the police. They are looking for you after all." He said and Ash looked away but gave a silent nod at that. They would need to be told after all.

"I'll keep the details to myself, I promise. But I'm not sure about your mother." He admitted. Delia was another matter entirely. Having her son simply disappear and then be found again and this time a Pokemon. Well it would leave her shell shocked.

Ash's ears wilted and he gave a nod. But he looked fearful but accepting of the fate. Oak gave him another nod and retreated back with Gary and Tracey, the other Pokemon following in to circle Ash and Pikachu. Comforting, talking and mingling with each other as the other two brought in bowls of food.

When that was done and the three managed to get some privacy, Gary asked his grandfather; "Are you really sure you didn't try everything? What about talking to other Professors?" He asked him and Oak shook his head.

"No, I did everything save pray to a higher power and even then I know it would be fruitless. I'm a realist Gary my boy, and I'm well aware of what I can, and can't do. And what others might do. I did all I could in my pursuit without risking his safety. If I did talk to other researchers, they might want to take Ash in and study him and then what?" He asked Gary and the boy looked away.

"They would treat him like a test subject. And like a.." he paused, not wanting to say it, but Oak had more gall than that. "Like a Pokemon." He continued for his grandson. "They'd keep him there because they would believe it's for his own good, and you know the stigma with Pokemon. One I'm well aware you had when you were younger." He said and Gary winced. "Pokemon are so much more than we think. A lot more intelligent than most want to give credit for. But the trainers and researchers that know better value the connection they have with their own Pokemon." He said as he looked at the group eating, spending time together and looking out for one another. Ash seemed swept up in the whole ordeal, his saddened features slowly fading as the attention from his friends lifted his spirits.

'Yes,' Oak thought. He had done the right thing. He had made sure that Ash would be safe if just for a little longer. He would do his best to prevent him to be treated like a lab rat if he could and for as long as he could. That was something he felt was worth doing.

Gary and Tracey looked at one another, different thoughts and worries going over their minds, but they decided then and there to help Oak as much as they could.

And so passed the days and weeks of the group. Now that they didn't need to hide their Trainer away anymore so much, the tension that had been in the group out of worry faded. Ash had been forced to meet his mother on more than one occasion, and it was always a teary event. She was just glad that her little boy was safe and sound. And even being a Pokemon didn't save him from the scolding she would sometimes give him. Especially on the part of not coming more often back to visit, but she knew in her heart that Ash had flown the coop proper this time. He and Pikachu lived together now in the forest and she took care of him as best she could with training, and he focused on becoming stronger as a Pokemon. And Delia could do no more than to watch, hope to see her son as much as she could.

Today, a few weeks after Ash became a Pokemon, Pikachu was laying in the den that the two had gotten for themselves. Curled up against the warm body beside her.

She was smiling and she had her eyes still closed. She was in that in between stage of sleep and waking. She was aware of the body beside her, of the soft cute snoring, and how her body still felt tired. Her head rested on Ash's chest, just at the crook of his arm and she held around him with another arm.

'This feels nice,' she thought to herself in that haze of in between stages. Her nose gently buried into Ash's side and she felt a comfort of smelling the familiar scent. Unknowing to her, she had been getting closer and closer to Ash the past few weeks. And she was so close to him now that she could be found buried in one corner or the other. Sleeping better than she had in a good while.

It didn't help that every time she did it she felt a thrilling tingle run up her spine and a flutter in her stomach. She opened her eyes slowly and smiles as she looked at the male Pikachu with admiration and affection and buried her nose and muzzle into his side, wondering if he would ever kiss her..

That made her jolt into the waking world with a start. She sat up quickly and shimmied slowly away from Ash. Had she really been thinking that?

She had to give her cheeks a rough painful rub, the pouches in her cheeks giving a stab of pain. She stopped quickly enough and opened her eyes to think on what had happened. The pain had cleared her mind with a sharp focus.

Yes, yes she had been thinking that. She wasn't sure of what had come over her, or why. So she left early and without waking Ash. She supposed she could let Ash sleep in for once as she had some thinking to do.

Pichachu wandered through the early morning day, her thoughts going back to what had happened in the den. Her mind was going wild and she felt like it was all spinning out of control.

She wanted to go back, maybe it had just been a dream! Maybe she could act like nothing happened! No, no it had happened and she had thought it. Worst of all she had liked the idea!

But she couldn't, Ash was her friend, her partner! And he had been human! But he was now a Pokemon completely, through and through. Oak had said as much!

This was all too much. She quickly found herself a river and dunked her head into the cold stream and yelled into it. Startling a lot of water type Pokemon that looked up in astonishment and incredulity. She didn't care though because she came back for air and gasped. She was feeling wild and jumbled.

She sat down and tried to calm herself as she dried her face as best she could. The warm sun already doing its job in helping there.

Who could she go to with this? Her first thought was Pidgeot, she seemed to be a wise enough choice, but she flushed in frustration and shame and began to pace. Unable to sit still. Why was she thinking these things!?

She gave a sigh and started to walk again. Maybe she could find the others, maybe she could talk to them.

She would find that task easier said than done. As she looked for those she could maybe talk too, she found out that they were otherwise occupied.

Occupied as in, they were entertaining what seemed to be, yes. Romantic partners. Sceptile, Quilava and Buizel, even Noctowl had someone with him in his nest.

They had all said their hello, and she had greeted them and waved but hadn't further disturbed them. It was then she became aware of how lonely she felt.

She walked on, trying to distract herself but to no avail. She hadn't noticed it before but that may have been because she had been keeping Ash busy. But then, what had happened this morning?

She wasn't sure, but as she looked around, and saw that Pokemon were with someone, more often than not with someone, she felt that aching loneliness again. But that wasn't right! She had Ash, she had the others too! And they could spend more time together too! No more adventures to keep them distracted, and just Ash and her.. her mind wandered back to her former human friend. Her nose twitches as she thought back to him, stomach fluttering.

No, no, no! She dashed away and ran to the only person she knew she could talk to!

She arrived at the tree where Pidgeot was staying. She was sleeping and Staraptor nowhere to be found. She fidgeted on one leg and then another.

"Pidgeot!" She called out and the normal type started awake. "Huh, wha?" She asked blearily and then looked down. "Pikachu! What's wrong?" She asked and looked to see if her mate was around. He obviously wasn't there. "Can you get up?" She asked and Pikachu nodded and rushed up, climbing with her little paws and kicking her away up. She then hugged the bird Pokemon at her wing.

"Hey, hey easy now, what's going on?" She asked her gently and wrapped a wing around her to help console her.

Pikachu panted a bit from all that running, but then when she got her second wind she explained what had happened this morning, how she was feeling how seeing all of the others with someone made her lonely and miss Ash and she wasn't sure on what to do!

"Oh Pidgeot. I don't know why I feel this way." She said finally. Her mind was tossing itself about with a lot of ideas and speculations and it was making her grow sick with worry.

"Hush." Pidgeot said gently to her and smiled at her as she gently drew her in for a hug and she accepted it. "I think I have a very reasonable answer to your question." She said with a soft chuckle as she looked at her friend. "Tell me again how you feel when you're close with Ash. Slowly." She encouraged and Pikachu, unsure did as she was asked though.

She explained how she had started to feel when she woke up that morning, how she had liked his scent and how it had made her spine tingle and her stomach flutter. And how she always felt warm and safe with him.

She was starting to flush a bit as she thought back on it and then shook her head a bit. "See?" She asked. "What can I do?" She asked Pidgeot, whom was smiling and hiding her beak under her wing. It took her a moment to control herself.

"Well, tell me first. How long have you been cuddling up to Ash like that?" She asked Pikachu, and it made the electric mouse pause. She had to think back.

At first she had always slept a good ways away, leaving him to sleep on his own. But over the weeks she had started to get closer and closer and it was only recently she had started to cuddle with him. She flushed again, this time out of embarrassment. "Only recently. Maybe three days ago." She offered to her. And Pidgeot gave her a knowing smile. "And that was when it started to get more obvious?" She asked and Pikachu nodded, flushing again. "I guess." She confirmed.

Pidgeot started to give out a thrilling laughter of merriment and joy. "My dear Pikachu, I can tell you from what I've heard I already know what's wrong." She said to her friend, and Pikachu perked up. "What is it?" She asked her, eager to know.

"You're in love. Or should I rather say love sick?" She asked as she smirked more, and Pikachu protested.

"No, no I can't be!" She refused.

"Can, will be and are. You are smitten with our Ash!" Pidgeot said as she smiled at her. And Pikachu sputtered.

"No, I can't be!" She said and then paused. "Am I though?" She asked as she looked at her friend, and she fidgeted. Hope and fear in her eyes as she looked at the bird Pokemon, looking to her for guidance and advice.

Pidgeot smiled gently and gave her a soft nuzzle on the cheek. "You are. And as far as I'm concerned, you have my blessings." She said to her in earnest. "Also, this is normal." She said to her gently. "We all desire companionship for one reason or another. And I guess since Ash isn't gallivanting off into another adventure, going who knows where this time. You've had time to calm down a little, and your thoughts to settle. You want what you've obviously seen others of our group doing. Looking to settle down." She said as she smiled at Pikachu.

The electric rodent shifted uncomfortably but she couldn't deny that it felt good to be in one place for once. To stay stationary and to be doing something else then just travel. "But.." She paused. "I've never really given romance a thought." She said in earnest.

This was a fact that she had thought about before some years ago. Buneary had been one option. He had been eager to woo her. And there had been other potential candidates in the past, but again. She hadn't thought much of it. There was still so much to do back then and she had never been able to rest or catch up with her thoughts properly. Well until now.

And she realised she felt very lonely. It was a deep seated kind of loneliness and having someone with her to wake up to, other than a human had been a nice change of pace. But that human had been the one she had woken up with, like always. But changed. Changed into a Pokemon, that was what made her feelings to go all in a jumble.

"And besides. Ash was a human!" She said to her.

"Was." Pidgeot affirmed. "That's the key point here. Was. He's now a Pokemon, fully adult by this point mind you and its natural." She said firmly to her friend. "You worry too much on semantics. You have a chance, I say grab it while you still can." She advised Pikachu. "Because we don't know if this is a fluke or not. If he turns back into a human, you will at least know that he can change back some day. And if not? Then you'll get your chance to spend a life with him." She said in earnest.

Pikachu had to think about that for a good while, because it made a sort of sense. But Pikachu was still torn between what she felt and how she knew of her past with Ash. "I.. I need to think about this." She said to Pidgeot and the bird Pokemon gave a nod of her head in understanding.

"Of course, don't rush this. But I also suggest that you don't dawdle. Because if you don't grab him, someone else will." She said to him, and then as she thought back she smiled. "Like when that Misty girl tried to tell her feelings to Ash?" She asked and smiled as she saw Pikachu's tail stiffen up and stand on end. That had done it.

Pikachu had always been practically protective of Ash when it came to human females. Pidgeot had her suspicions, but when it was back then, she just guessed she had always been protective of Ash. She thought it may be because Ash was always so awkward, naive and he may never have known how to take such intimate feelings right. It was a sensitive subject after all and that had been the feeling Pidgeot was going for. Yes, it was a bit manipulative but she had to get the point across. He might get someone she doesn't approve of. Or someone might do it wrong and break his heart.

So when Pikachu thanked her and dashed away. She looked at her go and gave a smile to herself as she nestled into her eggs. "About time too." She said with a chuckle and gave a loud yawn as she fell back asleep.

It took Pikachu a few days more to think about what Pidgeot had said and consider it seriously. She couldn't deny her feelings, but she still had that mentality of what had been before in her way. It had gotten so bad that she was sleeping away from Ash again, and it made her feel cold and lonely as she went to sleep. But when she woke up the next day she was back to his side, cuddling up to him and taking the time to enjoy his presence. She gave a sigh as she stayed awake for a little while this time.

She had clearly come back to him in her sleep, and she had to admit some defeat. She had to consider it carefully, and look it over.

Could she do this? Maybe. And maybe there was no one else, at least to her, that could do it properly.

'No, think it through!'

Her mind went off with her thoughts. She had to think it through yes, but why?

'Because of what he was before, what he is to you.'

That was a certain valid point, she considered. Ash had been her friend for a very long time now. And yes, even if they hadn't been on the best of terms at the start. Their bond when he was a human, it had been different. It had cemented in a way that had been comfortable. So.. was she comfortable breaking that mold? To take it further?

The question made her fidget in place. But Pidgeot's warning that someone else might try and make a move on Ash rang in her mind. It shouldn't have made such an impact but it had. She was protective of Ash, and yes it might come off as possessive… But come on! Anyone with a brain could tell that Ash was as dense as a large log! Things like that went past his attention like it was slick glass! Not to mention how he was.. It was only recently when he was going into his adulthood that he was showing some maturity, to a level. He was an idiot though.

'Your idiot mind you.'

Her thoughts shot back at her and she winced. It was true though. He was her idiot. A bumbling boy she had stayed beside and had gotten out of more scrapes than she could count. But he had also always been there for her. He was brave, he was more than just daring, he was sometimes so set on making things right it almost seemed suicidal. But. That was what made him so endearing, and so lovable. He wanted to do the right thing. No matter what. You couldn't help but look up to that…

She found herself drifting off in her thoughts, her face buried in Ash's chest who was starting to stir. He gave a soft mumble, but Pikachu was too preoccupied to notice.

She found herself nuzzling up against his chest. Her arms gently holding around him. She hadn't noticed just how soft his fur was until she finally took the time too.

"Of all the times." She mumbled to herself. "I fall in love with you now." She said, and not realizing that she had spoken it aloud. It seemed somehow cliché and corny. Like it was a sappy romance novel. Ugh, how stupid could she get? That earned a bemused chuckle from her, but it froze as she heard a voice.

"You.. Fell in love with me?" Asked the tired, but awake voice of Ash. This made her lie there, completely still. She could feel his arms around her, his breath on her ear, it made her shiver and stiffen up with both anxiety, shame and hope.

Anxiety because he had heard her, shame because she had been stupid enough to say it aloud, and hope. Hope that he would accept it. Maybe.. Just hopefully maybe..

"Yes.." She squeaked out to him and there was a pregnant pause. Which lingered into an awkward silence. Neither party speaking, but she could feel him shift his frame and head, thinking it over.

"I.." He said finally, breaking the silence. "I don't know what to say." He admitted finally. She felt her stomach drop with her anxiety. Was it a denial? No? Then what? What?!

Her mind was going at a hundred miles a minute and she held onto him a bit, trying to get her voice steady.

"I.. Um." She said and tried to swallow the dry patch that came to her throat. "I.. I don't know what to say either." She admitted lamely.

Another long silence, but not as awkward this time.

"I guess it sounded rather silly didn't it?" Asked Pikachu. A nervous titter coming from her as she fidgeted. "I mean, when it's said aloud it must come out so bad.." She said and lapsed into a nervous silence. A silence which made the hold around her tighten.

"No. I just.. I never really considered it. How you felt I mean." He started. "I mean. Ugh, this is hard." He said and sighed. "I just.. I never considered it. How.. This." He said, and his statement said it all. He meant his transformation and what it entailed. "Would affect things. It just seemed so cool, yet scary at the start. And then all of you started to take care of me, and become so.." He said and paused.

"..Protective?" Offered Pikachu. Well aware on how they had, as a group, reacted. Yes it may have seemed a bit too much, but with how many enemies Ash had gained, and the strange adventures they had gone on with Ash, they had erred on the side of caution.

"Yeah." Ash said with a nod. "I didn't want to get in the way. And I really didn't think much on it. I was just busy doing other things. Thinking about other things."

This made Pikachu nod gently. Of course he had. It had been a wild few weeks. Nearly a month now if she had it right. "Of course. There was a lot going on at the time." She said and drew herself back to look at him. His hair was a mess like it always was in the morning. A severe case of bedhead as it was called. She reached out, a habit and instinct to help flatten that fringe of messy hair. Well, flatten it as much as it allowed. It made him smile.

"Yeah, and well. I guess. Everything else just.. Slipped away." He admitted.

He fidgeted a little, and his voice halted a bit. "S-So.. You.." He said, letting the pause speak back to the object of the conversation. Pikachu flushed hard.

"Y-Yeah. I think.. I think it's been building up.. For a while now." She said as she fidgeted with her fingers.

This seemed to give him pause. He looked away. Not in disgust, but in thought, she found herself relieved to see. "I.." He said, paused, and then scrunched up his face. Looking flushed as well. "I, I will sound so completely stupid and awkward." He said as he paused. Well this was new. This had her worried, and piqued in curiosity now. "But. I have been feeling.. Lonely and, odd and ugh." He said as he shook his head. "I asked Torterra about it, and he just said; 'You'll find out soon enough.' and I never understood it but.. I always felt it when I was with you." He said as he fidgeted. "I mean, after this.. Happened, after things just started to settle down I guess." He said to her and looked away. A bit of shame and anxiety on his face.

"I.. I don't know what it means.." He admitted to her as he held her there. But she did. Well she thought she did. Hoped she did more likely.

She had admitted similar feelings to Pidgeot and she had given her answer.. So was this… The same?

"I.. I think I know.." She said and paused. Afraid to say it but forcing herself too. "I think I know why.. I think.. I think you and I are.. In.." She said, and gulped down her words. But they looked each other in the eyes in that moment.

Butterflies and a nervous but excited energy seemed to spark between them. She held him, he held her. "I think.. We share the same problem." She said in a meek, anxious tone. Her breathing hard, and her spine tingling with her nerves. Ash wasn't fairing better, but it was his stomach that was acting up. Going round and round in heavy leaden circles. It made him want to fidget and move.

"O-Oh.." He said with numb lips. He had never gone through this, never considered this, what was he doing?

His mind kept going on like that. The two huddled close and in each others arms.

"So.." Started Pikachu. "If.. If.." She stuttered out, her breathing erratic. She took a good grip of herself and said it out in as straight a manner she could. "Do you want to try it? Being together I mean." She blurted out.

She flushed hard but her resolve was made, so she barreled through it with as much dignity as she could. "I mean, we don't know if this is permanent or not so we might as well try right? If you turn human, oh well right? But if not.." She said as she gulped hard. "But if not. I, well. I would like to try at least." She stated to him. His ears wilting at her proclamation and she looked to him. Anxiety going through her core like it was a busy hive of Beedrills. Pins and needles going up her legs, spine and to the tips of her ears.

Ash lay there, silent for a good while. His face simply blank. His mind had completely shut down at the shock. It was slowly rebooting. Processing her words. He blinked. Then blinked again. He flushed hard as he felt his gut rush up, like it wanted to explode. "Okay." He squeaked out. "I'm.. I'm willing to try.." He squeaked in a weak voice.

This seemed to make Pikachu very happy. She felt overjoyed, elated. Like she was in heaven! "Great!" She crooned as she rose and put her hands up in the air in victory. Then caught herself and gave a cough. "I mean, that's great! I um.. I don't know how we do this.. But one step at a time?" She offered, uncharacteristically shy as she offered it.

Ash rose too. A more cautious, but hopeful and happy smile on his face. He didn't know what he was stepping into, and neither did Pikachu. But her offer seemed to ease away his anxiety on this matter a lot. "Yeah. One step at a time.. That sounds great.." He said as he smiled at her, and reached out a hand to her. She smiled as she took it, then dragged him into a hug.

"Okay." She said, a lot more calmly. "I can work with that." She said, and he hugged her back. Maybe, just maybe this would work.. They both hoped it would.

A year later. Epilogue.

It was a calm day out in the range. Oak was out with his usual fanfare of research to do. The Pokemon were flourishing, new eggs had hatched and the young ones were going about the range with their parents.

He saw Staraptor and Pidgeot with their group of Pidgeotto, having a family gathering it seemed. They were having their second clutch soon and Pidgeot looked happy, content even. She looked over and saw Oak there. She gave a call and waved. He waved back to her, a smile on his face as he chuckled to her.

So much had happened in just a year.. Ash had never turned human again, and he had settled into a life of becoming a Pokemon. He had trained hard and well in his new body, and he had gotten strong rather quickly too. He was as competitive as ever, and he drove himself harder and harder in each fight he had. They were simple sparring matches, but he showed that confidence that he had always had as a human. And his strange and unorthodox tactics seemed to have taken a new height since he was now a Pokemon. And unknown to Oak, he was becoming the talk of the Range's populace. And was expected to reach high in certain friendly sparring contests that the Pokemon here had to help pass the time and to keep them in tip top shape.

He was also the topic on Oak's mind today. He had kept somewhat erratic watch on him. But he did see him in the mornings when the Pokemon came for food. Especially when Pikachu had needed extra food..

Which reminded him. He smiled as he took out the camera and came to a clearing that was the regular hanging spot for a particular group that he had wanted to see. Ah there they were!

A group of Pokemon sat there, talking among themselves. Two recognizable Pikachu, and three little Pichu were there. Hanging it seemed, on every word that was spoken. Ash looked to be a lot more mature. He held a certain kind of confidence in him. He had become an adult. A man, even if he wasn't human. He still had that bearing. And it radiated from him in obvious ways.

Pikachu had as well. But she held herself with more of a grace. They had become very close, and they had. Like any other living creature, continued to go on with life.

Oak smiled to himself. He had seen the little Pichu about but had yet to be introduced to them. He wondered if they were as much of powerhouses as their parents in their own way. He would see when the time came. Maybe they would continue on the tradition on becoming some trainer's companion. Again, he would see when the time came.

He lifted the camera, aimed it at the group, and took a picture.

The picture he had captured would sit on his desk for years to come. The picture was of the fringe haired Pikachu, posing dramatically for effect in his story for his children. His partner in crime and in life looking at him with a bemused, disbelieving way, with a smile on her face at his antics. And their three kids, looking both joyful and ecstatic in hearing tales, that they would only thing could be done in legends. Admiring their father, who to them, seemed to be like a great, astounding hero.

So ends the tale of Ash Ketchum. Before human, now Pokemon. And of course Pikachu. The best friend and partner he ever had.

I want to thank all of you that gave me the support on this story! Likes and favorites, even follows on the story mattered so much! You wouldn't know how much it made me happy to know that my story made such an interest! As before, I would love to hear your thoughts on the story! Thank you all so much!