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Epilogue

Ash had been in the bedroom for hours, he hadn't eaten anything since that morning. He only got up to use the bathroom twice. His urine streamed dark yellow. Ash didn't give much thought, only his Pikachu was on his mind.

He took a moment and glanced out the window, the storm was gloomy and rain was coming down in torrents. The wind rippled through the trees, as if it was trying to tear them apart. Visibility was so bad he couldn't see much of anything. Ash wondered how his Pikachu was handling it, if he was with Tesla he hoped that the old Pikachu would protect him.

Just as Ash was about to close the blinds, he saw a crowd of Mice Pokémon and two humanoid figures jogging through the rain. He knew who it was.

Ash ran out of the bedroom and opened the door for them. Doc and Mark came running through first, then four Pikachus, a shiny-sprite Emolga, a Raichu, and a Mouse Pokémon monstrosity. Doc shut the door and locked it, then sighed, "What a day."

Cilan and Iris got up from the couches and looked up, "Where were you guys!?" they asked.

The group was soaked from the storm's relentless power, they looked sore yet in good spirits. Tesla was in the worst shape, he was covered in bruises and the gash on his forehead had reopened. Ash's jaw dropped when his Pikachu came up and jumped into his arms, he didn't care he was drenched. What was important was that Pikachu was back and alright.

"Pikachu!" Ash cried.

"Pika Pi!" Pikachu cheered.

Ash turned to Doc and Mark, "Where were you guys?"

Doc and Mark just looked at each other, then turned to Ash, "Taking care of business." Mark simply say.

Ash then turned to Tesla, "What happened to you, Tesla?"

The old Pikachu sighed and said, "I got into a fight with a shovel and a boot, they both lost."

"Are you hurt?"

Tesla bluntly say, "Yes, I am. That shovel and boot nearly killed me, at least they didn't broke anything."

Ash reached down to pick up Tesla, but the old Pikachu simply slapped his hand, "Focus on your Pikachu first. He's your top-priority, not me."

Tesla walked into the bedroom, trailing wet footprints on the floor behind him. Ash turned to Bruiser, he had a smile on his face with an arm over a Pikachu's shoulder, "The poachers are gone, Ash," he said, "This here is my brother, Pika. I thought I lost him but your Pikachu found him, I can't be ever more grateful."

"Pika Pikachu." Pika muttered.

"He says he's not in the mood to celebrate right now," said Ray, "He'd just found out his mate's gone."

"Here," said Doc, "Let's all get cleaned up and we'll tell you what happened. Cilan, can you make some hot cocoa in the kitchen? It was cold out there."

Cilan nodded, then rushed into the kitchen.

. . .

Doc, Mark, Ray, and Bruiser described the events on what happened. After tracking down the poachers and suffering several close calls, Tesla managed to free the trapped Dixierats and sent them against the poachers. The poachers tried fighting back at first, only to find themselves overwhelmed when Bruiser arrived with a pack of Dixierats. Outnumbered, poachers started bailing out of the camp. They either dropped their guns and broke off running into the forest, some bailed out in vehicles only to get stuck when the torrential rain made the grounds too muddy.

Nick Terrance had escaped in an SUV, apparently he had no intention on fighting back. So when he saw how screwed the poachers were, he bailed out and ran for the woods. Mark and Doc wouldn't tell what happened to him, "No need to worry about him anymore" was all they would say.

Among the chaos, Bruiser was reunited with his brother Pika, "I couldn't stop crying," Bruiser explained to the others, "I felt that missing hole in my heart refilled, I'd never felt so alive."

"So what about the remaining poachers?" Cilan asked.

"The thunderstorm will take care of them," said Doc, "Their little operation is over, the Dixierats will clean up the mess they left behind."

Doc explained that the poachers ran out of ammo, so whatever few ammunition they had left was used when the Dixierats tried to corner them. When the last of the poachers were driven out, the Dixierats started cheering and singing their personal Dixierat anthem. But it was short-lived, the thunderstorm started dumping rain and washed everybody out, which caused most Dixierats to run home. Bruiser explained that the Dixierats would come back tomorrow to see what they can salvage to renovate their burrows.

Ash glanced at the clock, it was almost time for bed. He picked up Pikachu and rubbed his ears, his Mouse Pokémon cooed as Ash went to scratch the back of his head. Mark held up his Pikachu and sat her down on the coffee table, "Don't move."

"Pika." the Dixierat nodded.

Mark stood up and pulled out an enlarged Poké ball, without warning he tossed it at his Pikachu. The Poké ball burst open and absorbed the Pikachu, then snapped closed. It dropped on the coffee table and started beeping, twitching heavily as a red light pulse at the button. Everyone leaned forward and watched as the Poké ball dinged, then stopped twitching.

"Yes! Yes!" Mark cheered, he picked up the Poké ball and held it up for all to see, "I caught my first Pokémon!"

"Damn," said Tesla, "You suck."

Everyone turned and saw Tesla sitting on top of the couch, Mark groaned and held up the Poké ball, "Shut up! Shut up! I caught her fair and square!"

"She let you catch her, it's more of an official agreement than an actual capture. Besides, that Pikachu would follow you everywhere even if you hadn't sealed the deal."

Mark shrunk the Poké ball and stuck it into his pocket, "Well then, at least I don't have the burden to carry her on my shoulder anymore."

"Where did you get that Poké ball?" Iris asked.

"Axew?" Axew added.

"Poachers had several of them lying around in their camp," said Mark, "I simply commandeered one, its not like they're going to miss it."

Tesla grumbled, "Screw you, Mark."

Mark laughed, "What are you so grumpy about, Tesla? You took out the poacher leader and lifted a great burden off your family, aren't you happy?"

Tesla shook his head, "I was stuck in a cage, got slammed by a shovel, then got a boot clamped over my throat. If that ain't enough, I have a family curse that made sure a good quarter of Dixierats stayed scarred for the rest of their lives. I don't know about you, Mark, but after all that happened, does capturing that Pikachu tell you anything?"

"Yeah, that Pikachu is your great-grandaughter who has a missing spot in her heart that needs filled," then Mark added, "And you're too closed off from the world and your own family to let them fill your missing spot, what does that say about yourself?"

Tesla clenched his teeth, Ash noticed the hurt in the old Pikachu's eyes, Here we go again. Ash thought.

"You know the reason why I came here in the first place?" said Mark, "I came here because I've inherited my grandfather's responsibility in taking care of your problems. I may not like you occasionally, but as far as I can tell, you're still part of the family. That was the whole reason why I even showed up, I came here to Dixie because you're family.

"And just for the record," Mark added, "I also wanted to piss you off, just for the fun of it."

Tesla squeezed his eyes shut and gripped his head, "Damn you, Mark. Just . . . damn you."

The old Pikachu jumped down and rushed back to the bedroom, when the door slammed shut Mark turned to Ash, "Can you get through to him, Ash, he has a liking of you."

Ash nodded, "I'll try, but are you sure it's too soon?"

"Pika Pika?" Pikachu added.

"It's never too soon," said Doc, "when you're dealing with Tesla Westinghouse."

Ash got up and walked around the coffee table, then picked up the Pichu egg, "Tesla went through a lot of trouble getting this egg here, maybe he had forgotten about it."

Pika's eyes bulged open, "Pika! Pika!"

"That's Pika's egg, Ash," said Bruiser, "You're upsetting him!"

"I just need to borrow this for a moment."

Pika looked at his brother with worried eyes, then turned back to Ash, "Pi." he nodded.

Doc opened the bedroom door, "Go easy on him." he whispered.

Ash nodded, "I will."

He held the egg with both hands as he and Pikachu walked into the bedroom, when Doc shuts the door Ash locked it with his elbow, then turned to Tesla. The old Pikachu laid face down on the bed, barely moving. The desk lamp on the nightstand gave off a soft white glow that acted like mood lighting, Ash gulped and approached the bed, then kneeled down, "Tesla," he asked, "Are you alright?"

Tesla sat up and looked at him, his eyes were watery and he was sniffling slightly. Ash couldn't see any anger in him, all he saw was grief, "You hurt?"

The old Pikachu gave a sheepish nod, "Mark wants to be friends with me, and he's using you as his wild card."

Ash handed Tesla the Pichu egg, "This is what at stake, Tesla. This egg you risked your life for to keep safe."

"I can't take the egg," said Tesla, "His father's here, it's his offspring and not mine."

"Yet this egg's still your descendent, it came directly from you and Polly. It's your responsibility as it's his."

Tesla took the egg and held it for a moment, then sat it aside, "Can you find some gauze, Ash? For the gash in my head?"

"It doesn't look that bad," said Ash, "The stitches are still in place."

"It hurts still, my head aches badly."

"I'll go get some gauze for you."

"Check the bathroom, the first aid kit's in there."

Ash went and retrieved the first aid kit, he opened it up and pulled out a gauze pad and an alcohol swab, "Had you ever bandaged something before?" Tesla asked.

"Yes," said Ash, "Several times."

Pikachu sat by and watched as Ash tore open the alcohol swab, he held Tesla's head as he wiped the laceration clean. The old Pikachu didn't wince or resist, he'd just let him do it, "It's hard to stay close to friends, Ash," said Tesla, "I had many friends who aren't alive anymore, I outlived most of them. I don't know if I'm gonna outlive you."

"Is that why you're so grumpy?"

"Actually it was because the friends I do have tease me a lot, but at least you don't. My heart is just too sore for anything else."

"Tesla," said Ash, "Do you wanna live?"

Tesla looked at Ash and shrugged, "I do, yet I don't. I just don't belong here, Ash. Sure I'm related to the Dixierats, but that's all we have in common. They're too immature for me to tolerate, and I'm not in the mood to be angry. I don't want to live in Dixie, I had enough with it."

"Yet you found your son."

"One of them actually, he's an old Pikachu, Ash, just like me. There isn't much I could do for him now, and who knows how many of my children are suffering."

Ash pulled out the gauze pad and added some herbal antibiotic, then place it over the cut and taped it down with medical tape, "There," said Ash, "All done."

"Pikachu!" Pikachu chirped.

Tesla laid down and snuggled the egg, "Thank you, Ash. I'm sorry for what I did to you and your Pokémon back on Faraday Island, I won't forget this."

Ash nodded, then turned back towards the bedroom door. Pikachu glanced back at Tesla a final time before rushing back to Ash to retire for the night.

. . .

"So what did he say last night?" Mark asked as everyone was eating breakfast.

"He told me his problems, he also apologized again for what happened at Faraday City."

Doc snickered, "When Tesla's really upset, he wants to be in good terms to his closest friend. He can't afford rivalries at the moment."

"I thought taking care of the poachers would give him peace," said Cilan, "But instead it has an equal opposite effect."

"No matter what you do, that Pikachu won't be fully vitalized a hundred-percent. My grandfather done the best he could and I done the best I could. There isn't much we could do for Tesla."

Ray dug into a can of spam and smiled, "This taste better than leftover garbage!"

"That has a lot of salt in it Ray." said Bruiser.

"Well, there's a reason we have water isn't there?"

Bruiser gave Ray a hard look, then went back eating his can of beans, "You sure you don't want Pokémon food?" Cilan asked.

"Do we have to go over this again?" Bruiser asked, "I just need something soft to eat, since I'm getting old and I can't have as much solids as I used to."

"Bullsh*t," said Ray, "You just need to get it out of your system faster!"

"Easy for you to say, it's not like we have prune juice lying around."

As Ray and Bruiser kept arguing with each other, Ash rolled his eyes, "Do they always argue like this?"

"Yeah," said Doc, "Dixierat politics, they always argue about the non-essential stuff."

Pika walked up to Doc and tugged his pants, "Pikachu? Pikachu?"

"Ray," Doc called out to him, "What is Pika saying?"

Pika told Ray and he translated, "He says he wants his egg back."

"Tesla still has it," said Ash, "I think he's still asleep."

Since Tesla took up the bed, Doc wound up sleeping on the floor next to Tesla's relatives. Ash offered him the couch, but Doc refused, saying that guests get the best stuff. Strangely he woke up the next day without feeling any pain in his back. No wonder he didn't ask for the couch, hard surfaces don't bother him.

"Should someone go check on Tesla?" Iris asked.

"He'll be fine," said Doc, "He'll come out when he's ready."

. . .

Tesla stirred when he felt something tapping on his shoulder, he simply changed position and grumbled. The tapping increased. The old Pikachu started feeling annoyed and muttered, "Stop pecking my dreams."

"Okay," said a soft cooing voice, "I'll stop."

Tesla's eyes shot open, he sat up and almost fell off the bed. Sitting before him was a Pichu, its hands were folded and her smile was full of love. The Pichu egg had hatched overnight, and it was sleeping with him till it decided to wake up. Tesla adjusted his eye-goggles and spoke in Pokémon speech, "You hatched, holy crap you hatched!"

The Pichu smiled, "What's your name, do you have one?"

Tesla picked up the Pichu and said in human speech, "My name's Tesla Westinghouse, I'm your great-great grandfather. I went through a lot of trouble in trying to save you."

"I know," said the Pichu, "I heard your voice, you were sad. What happened?"

Tesla sighed, "I had to deal with a family problem, I can safely say you won't have to deal with it yourself."

"What's my name?" the Pichu asked.

"Well first, are you a boy or a girl?"

The Pichu shrugged, "I don't know, how can I tell?"

Tesla sat her on the bed, "Check your privates."

"My what?"

The old Pikachu pointed down, "Between your legs."

The Tiny Mouse Pokémon nodded, then looked down, "You gotta go rooting along in there," said Tesla, "The fur buries the genitals. Don't worry, I won't watch."

"I don't mind." the Pichu simply say.

Tesla chuckled, Classic Dixierat.

The Pichu checked its genitals, after poking around for a few minutes it looked up, "Okay, I think I found it."

"What does it look like?"

"I don't know, can you check?"

Tesla picked the Pichu up and held it over his head, then sat it back down, "You're a girl, I think we should name you Volta."

"Volta?" the Pichu asked.

"Yup."

The Pichu cracked a smile, "It sounds catchy, I like it."

Volta Westinghouse, Tesla thought, Genius.

Tesla picked up Volta, "Okay," he said, "I'm going to take you to see your father, who is also my great-grandson. His name is Pika, and you're going to call him either Dad or Daddy, whatever you prefer. One thing I want you to decide is who you're going to follow, cause I'm not going to be staying here."

"Where will you be going?" Volta asked.

"Anywhere," said Tesla, "Whatever direction I choose to go, I'm an old Pikachu and I had lived my life to its fullest. Though I won't say it was a well-lived life, but I had already done what I could possibly do. Right now my retirement plan is to roam from place to place, seeing the sights and try to forget any hardship I had to bare during my day."

"Who's my Mommy?" Volta asked.

"Chuchu," said Tesla, then he sighed, "I'm sorry, Volta, she sacrificed herself to save you before you were born. I might as well tell you now cause some things are better known than not. She's resting peacefully, Volta, you have my assurance she's proud of you."

Tesla carried her to the bedroom door, "Your father is still grieving about her death, so go easy on him. He'd just became a father the moment you were born and his opportunity was ruined, make him feel proud to be one."

Volta nodded, "Okay."

. . .

The kitchen door opened and Tesla stepped through, Ash looked up and saw he was holding a Pichu in his arms, "Lookie here, guys," Tesla announced, "Isn't she beautiful?"

"The egg hatched!" cried Cilan.

Pika rushed up to Tesla, "Pika! Pika! Pika!"

The Pichu leaped out of Tesla's arms and hugged its father tight, "Pi Pi Pichu, Pichu Pichu." it said.

"She said her name's Volta," said Ray, "She came with the name."

"Pika Pikachu!" Pika sobbed, his eyes poured thick tears as he cradled his daughter.

"He said his mate planned to name her Volta," translated Bruiser, "Or at least mentioned it."

Volta leaped out of Pika's arms and looked at Bruiser, "Pichu Pi?" she asked.

"My name's Bruiser," said the Raichu, "I'm your uncle, your father's brother."

Ray crawled up to her and picked her up, "My name's Rayovac, but you can call me Ray. I'm Bruiser's and your father's cousin, I'm not sure what that makes me."

"First cousin, second removed." said Tesla.

"Oh, well then, I think that clears it."

Volta hugged Ray and said, "Pichu Pichu Pi, Pichu!"

"She said I look funny," Ray snickered, "Said I'm big and strong as well."

"Pi Pi." Volta added.

Ray laughed, "And squishy."

Volta leaped out of Ray's arms and looked at Ash's Pikachu, "Pichu Pi," she said, "Pichu Pi."

Pikachu blushed and smiled, "Pikachu."

"She said Ash's Pikachu don't smell like family," said Ray, "Yet said he's quite sexy."

Everyone in the room burst out laughing, even Tesla couldn't help but laugh, "How does she know that word?" Mark asked.

"We all talk around her when she was a Pichu egg," said Tesla, "She must had picked it up from one of us."

Pika blushed, "Pika Pika."

"Oh," said Tesla, "She picked it up from him."

"Pokémon eggs tend to be aware of their surroundings," said Doc, "That's what prepares them for when they enter the world."

"How about we show her around town," said Tesla, "Maybe get familiar with the place."

Ash noticed Volta was still staring at his Pikachu. She had a funny look in her eyes, and her smile was kind of off. Pikachu simply turned away and looked up at Ash, he was still blushing.

"You okay, Pikachu?"

Pikachu smiled, "Pikachu."

"Just a little embarrassed is all." translated Ray.

Volta rushed up to Pikachu and jumped on his shoulder, then bit him on the arm. She didn't bite too hard, but it was clear she had something else in mind, "Pikachu!" Pikachu yelped.

"Volta," said Tesla sternly, "Let him go, he ain't food."

Volta jumped off and turned to Tesla, "Pichu Pichu Pi."

Bruiser and Ray looked at each other, then snickered, "Okay you too," said Tesla, "You're coming with me. Pika, you're carrying Volta. We're going to show her around town and inform her of the hazards, I don't think we should worry much about anything else."

Ray nodded, "Sound's like a plan."

. . .

Tesla and his grandsons and great-grandsons took Volta into town hours later. They first showed her around to give her a sense on what everything looks like. Volta seem to take interest, constantly nodding and occasionally asking questions. Ray suggest they show her all the usual spots for finding food, but Bruiser refused, suggesting they should take her to the restaurants instead. They both argued for five minutes until Ray started seeing fireworks again, causing him to run off into the woods screaming.

As Bruiser went off chasing him, Tesla went through the basic ground rules. Though not a resident of Dixie, he had 40 years of experience living in the wilderness and off the streets. He explained to Volta how to handle authorities when getting into trouble, and how to handle a confrontation of other Pokémon trainers. Volta loved the sound of his voice, she even asked Tesla how he, Bruiser, and Ray spoke human while most Dixierats do not, "We learned how to speak," said Tesla, "And it was quite difficult."

Pika carried her for most of the time, she sat either on his head or was cradled in his arms. She constantly begged Tesla to hold her while he was doing the teaching sessions, interestingly enough Tesla would give in to her demands but Pika wouldn't allow it. The old Pikachu didn't complain, as Volta wasn't his child.

Officer Jenny came around and saw the Dixierats walk up the sidewalk, she and Tesla eyed each other for a minute. With a neutral expression, Tesla simply nodded and Jenny did the same. She turned around and head back to the police station, that was the last time they saw her for today.

Around noon, Bruiser returned with Ray. The Mutant Mouse Pokémon apologized for his episode and asked if they could head out for lunch, Tesla suggested they poke around with the human population, seeing if any of them had food to share.

With the town still crippled by Tesla's EMP, everyone was still out on the street with fire pits and grills set up. There were mixed feelings coming from the populace. Several citizens flatly refused, even if they asked in human speech. But occasionally there would be someone who would offer some leftover lunch meat. Most of the folks who were willing to share were aging longtime residents who were around when the Dixierats came into the seen. Ray and Bruiser knew many of them and would often engage in stories from good times. Tesla would often center around many conversations, as most older folks watched him on TV during his famous Pokémon battles. Though the old Pikachu wouldn't give much explanations of his battles with Irvin, he would talk about Irvin's other Pokémon how they "act like kids who were raised next to a toxic waste dump."

Volta listened to them all, again commenting how she loved the sound of his voice, "You should have heard me sing," he said, "Irvin made dozens of songs in his lifetime, and I learned how to speak by singing some of them."

"How about you sing a tune for us?" Ray asked, "Surely you remember some songs."

Tesla frowned for a moment, then grinned, "Get me a guitar and I'll sing you a song."

. . .

Mark went to the Pokémon Center and had a long shower, his Emolga cooed and giggled as he scrubbed her fur until he got most of the loose hair off. He sat his Emolga down and shut off the shower, "Wait on that bench, Emolga," said Mark, "I'll be right back."

"Emo!" Emolga chirped.

The Sky Squirrel Pokémon skipped towards the bench as Mark approached the clothes dispensers, "How much money do they spend on these?" Mark thought aloud as he pulled out a white t-shirt and boxers from their respective dispenser.

When he put them on, they felt fresh and soothing to his skin. Mark picked up his towel and walked over to Emolga, then wiped her fur down, "If only we have a hair dryer for you," he told his Pokémon, "You would look so good with your fur fluffed up."

"Em!" Emolga blushed.

"Oh I know, you're pretty enough as it is. It can only make you look sexy."

"Eeem!" Emolga whined.

"Okay, girl. I'll stop."

He dumped the towel into the laundry basket and fished his pants out of the lockers, after zipping them up he felt Plusle, Minun, and his new Pikachu's Poké balls bulging in his pockets. His heart warmed, he couldn't wait to get home.

"Em?" Emolga asked.

"I'm fine, Emolga," said Mark, "I'm fine."

Mark grabbed his boots and shut the locker, he grabbed a pair of socks from the clothes dispensers and slipped them on. They felt fuzzy and thick, quite warm too. Mark got his boots on and stretched his legs, then picked up his Emolga, "Let's go," said Mark, "I planned to leave the main land by sundown, so we gotta say our goodbyes before we leave."

"Emo!" Emolga nodded.

It was quite a fun adventure in Dixie, though there were more drama than he expected. Nonetheless, he felt good. Felt good that the Dixierats won't have to suffer anymore from the poachers. However, their fate was uncertain, Still too early to tell, Mark thought, Might as well check up on them after a few weeks, or a few months.

He walked out of the bathroom and waved goodbye to the Audinos. They waved back, their smiles stretching across their faces.

Mark left the Pokémon Center and head out into town, just as he was about to step back into Doc's dirt road a newspaper dispenser caught his eye. Mark approached it, the dispenser was painted blue, the words, THE DIXIECRAT TIMES, were painted on its sides in white paint. Mark opened it up and pulled out a newspaper, he smiled when he saw the front cover, "Look at that, Emolga," said Mark, "We made the news!"

Taking up most of the front page was a picture of Mark's Emolga smooth-kissing Iris's Emolga, with Mark giving the double-thumbs up in the background. The title literally read:

YOU'RE NOT GOING TO F*CKING BELIEVE THIS!

Only in Dixie where swear words are used in newspapers, the other being Faraday Island.

. . .

"Thank you for helping us, Ash," said Doc as he shook the Pokémon trainer's hand, "We wouldn't had pushed forward in defeating the poachers without you."

"It's a pleasure," said Ash, "But we hadn't played much of a role in beating the poachers."

"Pika." Pikachu nodded.

"You don't have to solve our biggest problem to help us, washing those Dixierats alone will idolize you here."

"Um, Ash," said Iris, "We got company."

Ash turned and saw a pack of Dixierats running for them, all chirping in excitement. He turned towards the door to the bunker but Doc blocked it, "They just want to give you a hug is all."

Cilan stepped back, "Here they come, guys."

Before Ash could brace himself, the Dixierats were on top of him. Pichus and Pikachus alike pancaked him to the ground and hugged whatever body part they could get a hold of. Ash laughed as several Dixierats licked his face, and a few gave him actual kisses. He looked around and found his buddy covered with female Pikachus, they had circled him and were hugging him with sheer love. Stricken with embarrassment and affection, all Pikachu could do was blush.

"Did I miss something?" Mark asked as he strolled up.

The Dixierats moved away as Ash sat up, "No," said Ash, "We're just about ready to leave. What's up, Mark?"

Mark held up the newspaper, "Here's the latest edition to the local newspaper, they'd just got it printed before the EMP."

Ash stared at the cover for a few seconds, then chuckled, "Well that sure raise spirits."

Iris took one look at the paper, then groaned, "You guys are so immature."

"Why are you so mad?" Mark asked, "I made your Emolga famous."

Iris turned away, not wanting to say another word.

Cilan gave the newspaper a look, "It's so strange that both Emolgas are female, yet your Emolga was affected by Iris's Emolga's Attract."

"She faked it, Cilan," Mark said again, "She faked it, she was just playing along."

"Emo." Mark's Emolga giggled.

Mark walked inside the bunker and came out with his backpack, "Well guys," he said, "I'm heading back to Faraday City, I have work waiting for me back home and I don't wish to use up more vacation days than I need to."

Ash extend his hand, "I'll see you later, Mark."

Mark shook his hand, "If you need anything, Ash, no matter where you are, just give me a call. I'll come along and might even bring my friends over to help you with whatever problem you have, you still have my home phone number right?"

"I do." said Ash.

Mark nodded, "Promise me you won't speak a word of this place, these Dixierats don't need the publicity."

"We'll keep it a secret." said Ash.

The Dixierats started cheering, then began singing To Arms in Dixie. Many Dixierats started dancing and jumping around like they were having a party, then Mark added, "By the way, I heard Tesla's going to play a tune for the Dixierats. I don't know what the song is, but you should check it out before you leave," he pointed over to the far edge, "Head over there around sundown, Tesla would sing there."

"Tesla always said he can sing," said Ash, "Aren't you going to stay and listen?"

Mark wondered, "Well, I promised Emolga we would leave the coast around sundown and-"

Emolga tapped his head, "Emo! Emolga!"

"You want to stay for a while and listen?" Mark asked.

"Emo!" Emolga nodded.

"Okay then, by the time he's done, we're out of there. I'm not saying goodbye twice."

. . .

The area was crowded with Dixierats when the sun had set, they got a big roaring campfire going and it lit up the place like a blazing inferno. A hundred yellow and orange faces glow in the darkness as Tesla fine-tuned a commandeered guitar. Ray sat next to him as Volta snuggled into his side. Bruiser and Pika sat next to each other, both with smiles on their faces. The elder Dixierat himself sat just behind them, his one eye getting ready to close for the night.

Doc instructed Ash and his friends to sit far from Tesla, saying that it would throw him off if he sees people listening to him sing. Ash asked him why, "He ain't singing to people, Ash," Doc answered, "He doesn't know we're here."

The place was quiet, dead quiet. Which was quite unusual since Dixierats were always being chatty, but that wasn't why they were here. They were here to listen to a single voice, so they'd shut up and got ready to listen. The fire crackled and popped as a Dixierat added more logs to the fire, the flames got brighter and taller. Ash blinked, even though he wasn't anywhere near the fire he could still feel the scorching heat. It was like sitting next to a blast furnace. This didn't seem to bother Tesla at all, who sat quite close to the fire. He just kept tuning the guitar, trying to get the right notes.

Ash peered closely, among all the Dixierat's surrounding him, Tesla's fur seem to glow the brightest. For a brief moment, Ash could see the old Pikachu full of life. The Pikachu held his pose in a tranquil matter, any problems that he had in mind appeared non-existent. He stopped tuning the guitar, and looked up. His eyes glow from the light of the fire.

"I had made this song years before Irvin's death," he said, "When it came out on the radio, I swore all of Faraday Island went quiet, like all time had stopped. Yes, I have to admit, I had heard a similar song before and modified it a little, so it ain't exactly original. But I'm sure the original song is dead and buried, not that anyone cares."

Just like that, Tesla started playing the guitar. Each stroke of the cord hummed with a heavy echo, resonating from the guitar throughout the camp. Hearing the notes, Ash felt down, depressed, the song was taking hold. And when he started singing, his voice twanged with a country accent.

"Oh, Polly, Oh, Polly"

"It's for your sake alone..."

"I've left my ole` father, my country, and my home..."

"I've left my ole` mother to weep and to mourn..."

"I am a Mouse Pokémon, and far from my home."

As if someone hit a switch, every Dixierat's face dropped. Tesla kept on placing, unaffected by his own music.

"Oh it's rifle, and buckshot,"

"And the thunder lumbered loud."

"There's many a mangled body,"

"The blanket for the shroud."

"There's many a mangled body,"

"Left on the fields to mourn."

"I am a Mouse Pokémon, and far from my home."

This is starting to feel familiar, Ash thought, But from what?

Ash looked around, the looks on his friends faces had dropped as well. Only Doc, Mark, and the shiny sprite Emolga had an emotionless expression.

Tesla just kept on singing without a care in the world.

"Oh here's a cup of brandy,"

"And a glass of wine."

"You can drink to your true love,"

"And I'll drink to mine."

"You can drink to your true love,"

"And I'll omit and mourn."

"I am a Mouse Pokémon, and far from my home."

Tesla shifted the tune of the guitar to give a steady low beat, the atmosphere seem to got colder. Ash swore the fire looked like it just died down. He wasn't ready for what he heard next.

"I'll eat when I am hungry,"

"I'll drink when I'm dry."

"And when the humans don't kill me,"

"I'll live till I die."

"And when the humans don't kill me,"

"And cause me to mourn."

"I am a Mouse Pokémon, and far from my home."

Tesla started up the guitar again, he played a short instrumental of the song, giving it a revitalized tone to it. The Dixierat's faces grew dreadful, several tears began to shed.

"I'll build me a castle,"

"On some green mountain high."

"So I could see Polly,"

"When she comes passing by."

"So I could see Polly,"

"And help her to mourn."

"I am a Mouse Pokémon, and far from my home."

"Oh I am a Mouse Pokémon . . . and far from my home."

Mark pat Ash on the shoulder and whispered into his ear, "Bye, Ash, give Tesla my best regards."

Ash gave him a nod. Mark cradled Emolga in his arms and disappeared into the darkness.

Tesla sat the guitar down and made his way through the crowd, the Dixierats scooted and let him passed. Within moments, he was gone, leaving behind an atmosphere still echoing with his voice.

"Let's go to bed, Ash," said Iris, "Show's over."

Ash complied without a word, he and Cilan got up and walked back to the bunker. For some reason, he cradled Pikachu in his arms. Gently rubbing his ears as he traveled through a sea of dreams.

After getting halfway towards the bunker, Doc rest his hand on Ash's shoulder, "Can I have a word with you for a minute?" he asked.

Ash and Doc stopped, under the starry night Doc told him, "Doesn't feel good, does it."

"It's not," said Ash, "I feel like my heart was being torn up."

"That's what Tesla felt when he lost his family, when he lost Irvin, and what just happened here. Tesla's not going to be fine the next time you see him, you'll notice the change soon enough."

Doc shook Ash's hand, "Though you didn't do much, and neither have we. I just want to thank you for being Tesla's friend, he speaks highly of you. Make sure that old Pikachu feels your affection."

Ash smiled, "He will, Doc, I promise you that."

"You don't need to promise me," said Doc, "I know you can do it."

. . .

Tesla sat in the lobby of the Pokémon Center, listening to the hum of the air conditioner. Apparently Nurse Joy scrounge up enough diesel fuel to keep the generators running. The old Pikachu took a deep breath and sighed, his eyelids felt heavy even though he was bathed in florescent light.

An Audino approached him and asked, "You need anything, Tesla?"

So he knows my name, Tesla thought, he then replied in Pokémon speech, "A bottle of water, cold if possible."

The Audino nodded and head to the back room.

"Tesla!" a voice screamed.

Tesla jumped when he saw Volta come running into the Pokémon Center, then jumping up into his arms, "I want to come with you," she cried, "Please!"

The old Pikachu felt his ears ping, "Shh, lower your voice," he said, "I'm tired."

Volta covered her mouth, "Oh, sorry."

Tesla picked up Volta and sat her on his lap, "Did you talk to your father?"

"Right after you left, he simply told me to go with you. I saw the hurt in his eyes, Tes, he was hurt."

"I bet he was," Tesla spoke in human speech, "Music's quite a powerful medium."

"Please, Tesla, can I come with you?"

Tesla thought for a moment, "Volta," he said, "I had planned to take you with me the moment I found your egg, the answer is yes."

Volta wrapped her arms around Tesla and cried, "Thank you, I thank you! I thank you! I thank you! I thank you!"

Tesla stroked her ears and whispered in Pokémon speech, "Let's go to bed, we'll leave first thing tomorrow morning."

"Can I ask you something?" Volta asked.

"Sure, what is it?"

"Can you talk in human speech, your human voice sounds soothing and amazing."

Tesla couldn't help but chuckle, "Yeah, sure. Why not? I suppose maybe one day you might talk human, given trial and error."

The Audino arrived with the bottled water, "Thank you, Audino." Tesla spoke in Pokémon speech.

"Your welcome."

As the Audino walked off, Tesla picked up Volta, "Come on, Volta. We earned our rest."

He wasn't sure if she heard him, the little Pichu was already sleeping.

THE END!