Disclaimer: I don't own Pokemon.

Hello! This is going to be an advanceshipping story so if you don't like, review and say so! All your reviews are appreciated, both the good and the bad. I probably won't be updating this very often because I have two other stories I'm writing currently. For me, not very often is probably be around one new chapter a week but I definitely won't be leaving this for months on end. I know that this chapter is pretty short but think of it sort of like a prologue, the other ones will hopefully be longer.

Enjoy, R&R!

- Home -

It had started with a phone call. Ash had been travelling through the Unova region for quite some time now with Cilan and Iris and when the call had came it found them staying in Castelia city at the Pokemon Center there. Cilan had picked up the call on video chat and was greeted by a grim looking Professor Oak.

"Ash, Professor Oak is calling for you." He told Ash and left when Ash walked up to the console.

"Ah, Ash. It's good to see you." Professor Oak said to Ash.

"Is something wrong Professor?" Ash asked curiously, ignoring any 'hello's or 'good to see you's and jumping straight to the point.

"Yes." Professor Oak said, grim faced. "Last night your mother suffered a serious heart attack. She's in the hospital now and I've been to speak with her. I-" Ash cut him off.

"I'll be on the next boat home Professor!" He said.

"Ash, listen. Your mother wants you to keep going with your journey, she's really doing fine and is expected to make a full recovery. The doctor said she'll be out of there in a week."

"No, I'm coming now and that final." Ash said stubbornly. "Besides, the Ventress Conference is already over, I was planning on heading back soon anyway." He added justifying his actions to Professor Oak.

"Ok then Ash, I'm sure your mother will be very happy to see you." He said giving up.

"Bye Professor."

"See you soon Ash."

The screen went black and Ash turned back to his friends. They both noticed the absence of his usually cheerful demeanor.

"Guys, I've got to go back to Kanto earlier than I thought, my mom's had a heart attack and I need to go make sure she's okay." He said, worried about his friends reactions.

"We understand Ash. You can come and visit me and Iris anytime you like." Cilan said and Iris nodded in agreement.

"Axew!" Axes said from inside Iris' hair.

"Thanks guys." Ash said, a faint smile returning to his face. He thought about how he had such good friends. "You can come visit Pallet town whenever as well."

"Pika! Pikachu!" Pikachu said as he leapt onto his trainer's shoulder.

"Yeah Pikachu, let's go get tickets. Unfezant can fly us to the harbour tomorrow."

Ash ran out of the Pokemon Center leaving his friends to think about what they would do without Ash.

- Line Break -

Ash had gotten back to Pallet town the day after Professor Oak had called. Unfezant had flown him from the harbour straight to the hospital so he could see how his mom was doing and was resting in her Pokeball has Ash ran into the hospital and walked up to the front desk.

"Hi, I'm here to see Delia Ketchum." He said to the attendant. The attendant looked down at her computer monitor and type some stuff in.

"Sir, there is no Delia Ketchum here." She said.

"No, she's should be here. She would have come in two days ago to be treated for a heart attack." Ash insisted. The attendant pressed a few buttons as Ash waited. After a minute or so she looked up at Ash, hating her job.

"Sir, Delia Ketchum had a relapse and stopped responding to treatment 10 hours ago. She's dead." The attendant told him. She could sympathise with this boy, her own mother had died when she had been even younger.

Ash just stood there, no moving at all. Then Pikachu gave him a little shock, startling him into moving again. "Thank you." he said calmly and he walked out of the hospital. As he walked back to his house, now in his sole care. It started raining, soaking him to the bone but Ash didn't notice at all, the attendant's words still echoing in his head. 'She's dead'.

Ash stepped inside his house and shut the door. Pikachu nuzzling himself under his trainer's arm trying to comfort him. Ash just stared ahead with shock and mouthed the words the attendant had spoke to him.

"She's dead."

- Close -

Thanks for reading! Please review, it takes only a minute of your time but it is forever gratifying when you do. I'll not be updating this if no one reviews so if you want more written then say so.