Disclaimer: No ownership of Pokémon.
Summary: Sequel to "Airheads in Heat." Returning from the Unova Region with his friends and Pokémon, Ash learns the graphic truth about his father that was taken from him.

Airheads' Homecoming

Chapter 1: Arrival

The words from when Giovanni, Ash's long-lost father, haunted him. "It's been a long time since I've seen you," the words repeated in his head. "...And how much you've grown, son." There were plenty of brief words that lingered. "A fool that can battle the Viridian City Gym Leader..." There was the Meowth who he gave to his parents to treat which evolved to a Persian. "I'll protect you and Meloetta so that you can send for Kyurem. You'll be the one to save us. I've heard about that from those who've pursued you." Yet in the end, the day he reunited with his dad was the day he left him. "Son... Looks like I won't give you that match you wanted. Take care of Persian for me...and when you get home...give your mother a hug for me and yourself." When Ash heard his dad's voice each time, they ended with the same last words before vanishing. "There is something I have and will regret...and that's not watching you grow up to be a man." Those words bothered him long since he left to Kyurem's realm and knowing that Giovanni tried to call for him by force, he and Team Rocket members, Jessie and James, are probably dead from the ancient Pokémon. Ash wished he did more. He was forced to take the Junior Cup off where his former rival from Sinnoh, Paul, won the tournament but lost a close one to Alder's Bouffalant who shorted out his Electivire. Soon after sometime to clear his head, he dedicated his Unova League Tournament run in Vertress City to his lost father and the bond with his new girlfriend, Bianca. The motivation helped out in spades for Ash as he won out the tournament, beating that racist rival, Trip. Nothing had gone right for Trip after his humiliating loss to Paul back by Cynthia's summer villa. The champion's trophy rested on the coffee table next to his bed on the ferry he and his friends got a ride on through the Decolore Islands. By that trophy, surprisingly was the Melody Pokémon herself, Meloetta. Soon after the failed attempt on Kyurem, a protector of the Pokémon wanted to return her back to where she escaped from but she preferred to stay with Ash knowing how much he's still hurting from the loss of his own kin. Despite the wins, he still felt hurt by the lone loss. As he slept in the rented room, Iris came in and shook the boy from a different region.

"Ash, get up!" cheered the Dragon-Type trainer. "You gotta see this!" Hearing the tanned girl's rambling, Ash opened his eyes, a stain trail showing under his eye and over his cheek. The sight of his face gave Iris a sigh. "Look, you need to get over it. I understand that it's your dad but you can cry about it after you get home. What a kid!" Rustling out of the bed, Ash joined Iris and exited the cabin. Cilan and Bianca were at starboard watching Pokémon swimming in the ocean below. The schools of Magikarp and Gyarados splashing the waters weren't the only reason Cilan was looking like he belonged in a dream. Bianca brought out her Dex to scan the Pokémon.

"Magikarp, the Fish Pokémon," it computed. "Magikarp can swim in the dirtiest waters and can splash as well as the rest." Then she pointed the Dex to the Gyarados, curious of information it had. "Gyarados, the Atrocious Pokémon and the evolved form of Magikarp. The fangs are strong enough to crush stones and the scales are as hard as steel. They are also quick-tempered so caution around them is necessary." Best to exercise that warning.

"It also means we're in Kanto waters," Cilan pointed out. "Soon, we'll be docked in the Kanto Region. It'll be our first time stepping on foreign grounds." Bianca could agree.

"Well, all except Ash and Pikachu," she referred to the region's "son." Speaking of, Ash and Iris reached the other two and viewed a land fast approaching. Seeing the Water-Type Pokémon, Ash knew he was almost home. Finally, land ahead. Bianca was curious. "Is that another island?" Cilan could check his hand-held Pokénav but Ash came forward to see it himself.

"That's no island!" he corrected his girlfriend. "That's Vermillion City!" They're knots away from Kanto. The kids ran back to pack their belongings. Before long, the ship reached the docks and softly parked next to the pier.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we have arrived at Vermillion City," Porter called over the radio system. "If this is your destination, you have 30 minutes to disembark. We hope you appreciate our hospitality as you journeyed with the Decolore Cruise Lines." To Ash and his friends, they needed just ten, not 30. All their equipment stored up, they walked off the vessel and Meloetta docked herself on Ash's shoulder while Pikachu ridden on Cilan's. Porter came from behind and saw the foursome and their Pokémon. "Ash, Iris, Cilan, Bianca, I thank you for all you did for me and my relatives on this cruise line over here. We hope you enjoyed the ride."

"No, thank you for all you've done for us!" Cilan redirected the praise. Porter chuckled to the return.

"Anyway, if you want to ride with us again, don't be afraid to jump on board." The kids nodded before entering the first town in Kanto. Ash could tell the story of when he fought the Gym Leader, Lieutenant Surge. First came the stop at the Pokémon Center and meeting the Nurse Joy that hardly resembled the Joys back in Unova. It also was good timing as a call for Ash reached him. On the phone, Cerulean Gym Leader Misty chatted with Ash about something while the rest had their Pokémon examined and returned by Joy with a Chansey, not Audino. After everyone settled down, Ash returned to the group which also had Persian, Giovanni's Pokémon.

"Sorry about that," he apologized. No one minded the delay. "Misty wanted me to come over. Said something about practicing for gym battles." Again, no one was bothered. They could head to Cerulean City now. Instead, they sat down at a coffee shoppe and enjoyed tea and treats. As they sat, a flock of Pidgey flew from a nearby tree. All turned to see the flock."Pidgey, native Pokémon from here in Kanto," Ash explained. "Much like Starly in Sinnoh, Pidove in Unova or Taillow in Hoenn."

"Just seeing that flock wants me to fly free from all that excitement back near the Junior Cup," Iris awed. "Though, something else came to my opinion." All were interested with what her plans were. "After meeting up with Clair, I want to learn more about raising Dragon-type Pokémon...and I know I can get those lessons from her." Iris wanted to see Clair. Ash thought now that Iris didn't want to go to Pallet Town which somewhat bothered him.

"If you can, you should also find Lance. He also raises Dragon-type Pokémon as well." Iris nodded to Ash's additional information.

"Is he also in Blackthorn City?" A shrug of the shoulders told her that he wasn't sure.

"He might be. Also, he's a member of the Pokémon G-Men, so meeting him will be a sweeter treat than these cupcakes." A promise made Iris smile in anticipation.

"I can't wait." Even Axew got anxious to see Clair again.

"Well, in that case..." Cilan spoke up. "I got wind of a fishing competition around Lake May in the Hoenn Region." Not Cilan too! Ash, Bianca, Pikachu and Meloetta got rather upset with the Connoisseur's destination.

"You're going elsewhere as well?" Bianca gasped. Ash remembered some of Cilan's occupations which included his fishing repertoire.

"Right," he reminded. "You're also a fishing connoisseur." In a sense, a fishing competition was right up Cilan's alley.

"I also found out that the magnet train is departing from the nearby station headed to Johto, mainly Goldenrod City," he studied. "And it leaves late this afternoon. We still have time to exchange our farewells until then." Ash and Bianca were disappointed to hear of Iris and Cilan leaving. They would enjoy each one's company. After they had a chance to finish their cups and plates, they left the shoppe and found the station Cilan mentioned. The sun fell softly to the horizon in the west. As Cilan and Iris boarded the train, Bianca left and returned with cases shaped like Cloyster shells.

"Here you go!" she offered. "Boxed lunches for you and the Pokémon!" Iris and Cilan accepted the lunches for the trip across regions.

"This looks flavorful. I should know, I'm also a Boxed Lunch Connoisseur." And his résumé grows... How many more of a connoisseur do we need to know. Right now, it was time to depart but Ash had a question he's held onto since they became a team.

"Hey, I've wanted to ask you something," he opened up. "You said you had a secret in why you're with me. What secret was that?" It's been a long time since Ash and Iris journeyed together in Unova. Though, Iris was less than sympathetic.

"You mean you don't know?" she huffed. "What a little kid!" Here's the thing Iris forgot: Cilan.

"You never told me," he spoke up. Oops! Iris forgot about the other member. Clairified, Iris breathed enough for the confession.

"Well, I wanted to know how you were able to meet Zekrom. Even after I realized how, you did invite me to journey around Unova with Cilan." In a sense, Ash did deserve some credit for having someone like her around. Soon, the siren from the station blared. The train that Iris and Cilan hopped was leaving.

"I guess this is it. You guys take care of yourselves." Ash and Bianca agreed to the promise from their connoisseur friend.

"Same to the two of you," Bianca threw back. "Best wishes..."

"...Until we meet again," Ash ended. The door to the train closed and lastly it departed, Ash, Bianca and the Pokémon waiving goodbye to the two on the train. Seeing the sun setting, Ash and Bianca had one recourse: back to the Pokémon Center. They exited the station and made their way back to the Center where Ash and Bianca lucked out with a room. They had to share it with two other trainers but they were nice to them. Out in lobby, Ash sat on a couch with the Melody Pokémon and a photo. That photo was a shot of Ash in a different coat and hat, along with Brock, Misty, Professor Oak and Delia. Ash fingered Misty, the redhead with a ponytail sticking out the side. "That's who we'll see tomorrow at her gym in Cerulean City." Meloetta took stock at who Misty looked like. Remembering how Meloetta got scared when she met a bunch of humans with Ash by her, he might have thought to show who Misty looked like before seeing her. That's when she noticed a Togepi in her arms.

("Is that Togepi her's?") she chimed. Looking to where Meloetta pointed to, Ash recalled the egg Misty used to raise.

"She doesn't have Togepi anymore. He evolved to Togetic and afterward, he stayed at the Mirage Kingdom's hidden paradise." Meloetta's face read disappointment. She wanted to see Misty's Togepi. Ash had more. "...And after that, we'll head to Pallet Town..." He now pointed to his mother, the brunette. "Where you can meet my mom. She loves Pokémon as much as I do. Same with Professor Oak." The point to the white-haired professor gave Meloetta more insight to who she'll meet. However, it gave Ash a saddened expression. When he sees Delia, he'll need to bring up Giovanni...and how he's presumed dead. Nurse Joy came over to see the boy and the legendary Pokémon. The tear trickling down his face concerned the Pokémon Nurse, Chansey staying close by.

"Are you afraid to go home?" she wondered. Realizing who's talking, Ash looked up at the nurse.

"Sorry. It's just that... When I do go home, I need to tell Mom about what happened to Dad. I just don't wanna see Mom cry out of it." The tone had her sitting by Ash and having his head nuzzle her shoulder. She understood the grief that still plagued him.

"Everything will work out. She might not need him but her pride and joy, the champion of the Unova League Tournament." Consoling words and Ash bobbed his head. After an hour to relax, all that remained was sleep. Ash snuggled back in the room and fell asleep on a bunk bed below Bianca. The night of rest felt good after the long ride from Unova to Kanto. The next morning, Nurse Joy and Ash were at a map looking up how to reach Cerulean City. Bianca and the Pokémon joined the two in the lobby. Pikachu perched himself on Ash's head looking to the map.

"What's the discussion this morning?" Bianca wondered. Ash and Joy turned to Bianca with the same interests.

"Nurse Joy told me of a shortcut to Cerulean City," Ash pointed through the map. "Once we have breakfast, it should take at least an hour to reach her gym." Bianca's face brightened, as did Pikachu's. After they ate, the shortened group found the shortcut and followed the path. During the walk, Bianca saw some Pokémon never seen before. A troop of Mankey eating bananas from trees brought out her Dex.

"Mankey, the Pig Monkey Pokémon," it computed. "Mankey live in colonies among treetops. Short-tempered, they will thrash anyone who so much as look at them." In other words, avoid at all costs. More Pokémon like Oddish and Diglett found her eyes and almost fell in love with the Kanto Pokémon during the walk. First was Oddish with her Dex. "Oddish, the Weed Pokémon. Oddish sow seeds as they walk around the lands." Now onto the Diglett sticking its head out. "Diglett, the Mole Pokémon. Diglett don't normally come out during the sunny day and prefer to live underground." There were plenty of Pokémon to see but soon enough, they made their way to Cerulean City.

"Here we are!" The city felt like any city so far. It was a peaceful setting to feel calm.

"So where's the gym?" In Ash's region, that gym could be found in the back of his hand.

"This way. I'll show you." A few minutes of walking, the group found the gym with the Dewgong cutout hanging overhead.

"What kind of Pokémon is that?" The cutout looked just like Dewgong but when Bianca pointed Dex to it...

"No data," the device answered. Luckily, Ash studied the Dex enough to offer his and show what the Pokémon is.

"This might help," he suggested.

"Dewgong, the Sea Lion Pokémon and the evolved form of Seel," his Dex computed. "Dewgong can resist the coldest of waters." Bianca handed the device back to Ash, fulfilled for understanding. They entered the gym greeted by two Pokémon, Politoed and Psyduck. Ash recognized the two: they were Misty's.

"Politoed, Psyduck, remember me and Pikachu?" he asked. Politoed hopped to Ash and Pikachu, grateful to see the two again. Bianca once more brought out her Dex.

"Politoed, the Frog Pokémon and the evolved form of Poliwhirl," the hand-held read. "Politoed's cries often bring Poliwag and Poliwhirl together." Interesting to learn of Politoed. Psyduck stood in the back, something that concerned Meloetta. Bianca trained her device on the other. "Psyduck, the Duck Pokémon. Psyduck suffers chronic headaches which, in turn, enhances its powerful Special Attacks." Mysterious to Bianca's thoughts. Ash knelt and petted Psyduck's head.

"Are you still trying to swim, Psyduck?" The word Ash spoke gave Psyduck a major scare as it quacked uncontrollably.

("Psyduck, calm down!") Meoletta tried to ease. This confused the blond from Nuvema Town.

"Psyduck can't swim?" she gawked. The sweatdrop on Ash's head confirmed the question.

"It's sad considering Psyduck's a Water-type," he concluded. Irony~ The loud quacking did summon her trainer from an adjacent hallway.

"Psyduck, what's wrong?" a worried Misty called out, a Marill in her arms. Psyduck waddled to Misty who hugged it to comfort. Ash stood up with a hand itching the back of his head.

"Sorry about that." Misty looked to who spoke, happy to see Ash. Instead of being mad since Ash didn't mean to tease Psyduck, she smiled like it's no big deal.

"Yeah, I know you didn't mean it." The sight of Marill had Bianca once again aiming the Dex.

"Marill, the Water Mouse Pokémon and the evolved form of Azurill," it registered. "Marill's buoyant tail helps its swimming, even in strong currents." A cute little mouse with a helpful bouncy tail. Ash realized the Marill was the same one from before, only bigger.

"I didn't know Azurill evolved. When did it happen?"

"A month before the Lilly of the Valley Conference," Misty replied. "Since then, I've warmed up to it even more." Ash petted Marill's ears, much to its delight. Meloetta also saw the Water Mouse which forget who held onto it. Misty noticed the new Pokémon, surprised to see a Pokémon like it. "Is that a Pokémon?" Ash turned to the curious Melody Pokémon.

"A legend that's warmed up to me. Meloetta, this is my friend, Misty."

("Hi, Misty!") she greeted. Even Marill chimed in happiness.

"It's cute!" she giggled. The compliment made Meloetta blush and chuckle.

"I said the same thing when I saw it myself," Bianca admitted. The new voice irked Misty to turn to the blond with curiosity.

"Wait, who are you?" If there's someone who can help with this, it's Ash.

"This is Bianca," he identified. "She's from Nuvema Town in Unova...and..." He took a deep breath before coming clean. "She's my girlfriend." Misty gawked at Ash's confession.

"Really?" She couldn't believe the two were dating. "How long?" Not that long ago, right?

"A month and a half," Bianca responded. "So not too long." The truth between the two had Misty chuckling.

"I was gonna say, you don't look like the Bianca from Alto Mare in Johto." This Bianca didn't mind.

"I heard about that, but I know better. Anyway, I wonder if it's alright that I challenge you to a battle?" Bianca wanted to face-off against the Cerulean Gym Leader?

"I'm always looking for new challengers. I wanna see if you and Ash deserve each other." Today just got interesting and now a battle between Ash's first traveling partner and his girlfriend. Who would come out on top?

TO BE CONTINUED...