Disclaimer: Nothing belongs to me.

Author's Note: This is my very first Pikashipping (or whatever it's called) fanfiction. Granted, this is far from being my best work. Anyway, I would appreciate your reviews all the same. If you are not a fan, I would strongly advise you not to read this. Anyway, as far as my views go on Pikachu's gender, I personally believe that Pikachu is a girl and is referred as being a female in the following story. Now, enough of my babbling. Enjoy!

Scars decorated the young boy's feet as he walked along a damp, cold tunnel of darkness. Nothing was ahead, but the color black. He could not see where he as going, yet he still knew that some sort of mistake as being made as he continued on. For some reason, he could not stop the movement of his legs. A nauseous sensation burned the inside of his stomach while his eyes struggled to adjust to the light, or rather the lack of. His heart pumped rapidly, yet at the same time, he felt nothing whatsoever. This was all so strange to him. Then a warm, white glow came from nowhere and realization dawned on him. Finally, his feet stopped.

So, this is what death is like, Ash Ketchum mused. His eyebrows climbed to the top of his head, confused. Something just didn't sit well with him, believing this it wasn't supposed to end like this. He still had so much to live for. It could not be over without his say so in the matter. Everything moved too quickly. Ash's life had just begun and it couldn't be finished now that his adventure to be a Pokemon master had started not so long ago. This would not be accepted.

Ash tried to avoid the light by turning back to wherever it was he came from. His eyes grew heavy; the soul felt empty. He heard a loud scream, but he couldn't make out the words. It was in another language, but he managed to receive the gist of the pleas. It was his best friend in all of the world and his favorite Pokemon, Pikachu. The cries were inaudible, but filled with belief all the same.

"Come back, Ash! Come back!" The electric mouse exclaimed so that only her master could hear.

Ash began running away from the luminosity as it threatened to chase him. He grunted, angrily. There has to be some way to return to the world in which he belonged. "Pikachu," the raven-haired boy called. "I can't hear you! Please, just don't give up on me! Pikachu!"

But, the light caught up to him at last. Ash felt weak, reopening his eyes, though he thought they were already opened to begin with. He saw bewilderment written across a round, yellow face. His heart thumped, remembering the events of his near death experience. He smiled warmly at his friend, feeling the life in his lungs once again. The Pokemon smiled, rushing into Ash's arms.

"Pika Pi!"

"Pikachu!" Ash hugged her closely, allowing tiny arms to squeeze his neck.

The sweet scent of her fur rubbed against his nose. Ash would never take Pikachu's friendship for granted ever again. She had saved him from leaving everything behind and he would always be grateful for that. Pikachu is his life-force.