Then

Accompanied by an evil smile by its creator, a bright flash lit up the thick, dark forest, and a startled figure fell back. Where there was once vibrant life stood cold stone, and with a hard caress of affirmation the assailant left without a backward glance.

Now

It was already January, and A.J. still couldn't get Pichu to mind him all of the time. The electric rat had a mind of her own, and took almost every opportunity to remind him of it.

Grinning in his electricity-free haven, Ash took a peek out the window at his frustrated son before returning to his wife, who was feeding a content Psyduck. Although the Pokémon was still as dull as ever, and though Misty would never admit it, Ash knew that the former Gym Leader loved him as much as any of her Pokémon.

Riviera toddled in with her Clefairy doll clenched in a tiny fist, dragging it along the ground. Ever since she had gotten the toy for Christmas she hadn't let it out of her sight. She stuck her thumb in her mouth, then held it out for Misty to see the cut that graced it. Riviera's eyes were watering with pain, and her lip trembled as she tried not to cry out.

Misty immediately went into 'caring mother mode,' bending down next to her daughter. "What happened?" she asked, as she brought the tiny thumb up to her mouth to 'kiss it and make it better.'

Riviera didn't answer. She just plopped down onto the floor and burst into tears, making sure not to let go of her Clefairy doll.

Misty sighed, and picked up the miniature version of herself, taking Riviera into the other room and cooing unintelligible reassurances.

Ash watched them leave, concernedly, then looked down at Psyduck, whose head was tilted. "Psy?"

A.J. sighed, adjusting the worn cap on his head that his father had given him for his birthday, a few months before he had gotten his first Pokémon.

His. Not his mother's, not his father's, his.

He shifted, looking down at the stubborn Pichu. "Come on, Pichu. Attack Pikachu!"

The Pichu shook her yellow head, "Pi."

Pikachu rolled over. He had fallen asleep soon after coming out to help the tiny electric rat train, since she had showed no desire to take the offensive or defensive. Pikachu yawned, "Chah," stretching out in the sun.

"Are you chicken?" the nine-year old tried a different approach.

"Chu," the little Pokémon rolled her eyes. Suddenly, her ears twitched as she heard something, and she immediately turned and headed off towards what passed as Pallet Town's "woods."

"Pichu!" A.J. cried out, running after the escaping electric rat.

Snickering, the Pokémon dove over and under logs and branches, and making sure to stay several steps away from her stumbling trainer.

She careened to a stop when she saw a big, brown bag in front of her. She glanced backwards, seeing that he was having difficulty getting past a thorn bush, and sniffed it. It bumped her nose, and she jumped back with a squeak. "Pich!"

High-pitched voices answered her, but she couldn't understand them so she tapped on the bag with a tiny paw.

"Gotcha!" A.J. exclaimed as he pounced upon her, realizing his mistake too late. "Yaaaahhh!" he stuttered as electricity jolted through his body.

Pichu hopped down, and tried tugging at the sack. When she saw that she wasn't going to be able to open it by herself, she turned to Ash, Jr. and pointed.

"Huh?" he inquired dumbly. The electricity made him dizzy. Things finally came into focus, and he noticed the bag. "What's that?" he inquired as he started to open it, not even checking to see if it was dangerous.

A purple and yellow head popped out, "Smoo?"

"Mag?" a different head joined it.

"Kid?" a yellow head inquired.

"Cleff?"

"Buff."

"Wow." That one was A.J.

"Chupi," Pichu agreed.

"Why are you little guys here?" the boy asked as he squatted down beside them.

Magby whimpered, [Don't know.]

Igglybuff agreed, [Don't remember.]

Cleffa sniffled, [Head hurts.]

[Wimp,] Elekid snickered.

Smoochum reprimanded him, [Be nice.]

"I'm gonna go get Dad. Stay here," A.J. ordered as he disappeared.

[Let's go,] Pichu told them, and started to head in the direction that was the opposite of where her trainer was heading.

[S'posed to wait,] Igglybuff reminded her.

[No move,] Cleffa nodded.

[Don't be babies!] the electric rat exclaimed.

The fiery Magby sniffled, [Too tired to walk.]

So Pichu crossed her little arms in a huff, and sat down to wait. "Chu."

A.J. finally returned, followed by a dubious Ash and a yawning Pikachu. "You say you found a bagful of baby P—oh."

"Pika?" the larger electric rat tilted his head. He went up to Smoochum, and, nose twitching, sniffed her.

Giggling, Smoochum planted a big kiss on Pikachu's nose.

"Cha," the Pokémon got dizzy and collapsed on the ground, unconscious.

Grumbling, Ash picked up his sleeping Pokémon, "Lovely Kiss...I should've known."

Loudly, he inquired, "What's up, little fellas?"

A chorus of complaints but no true knowledge reached his ears. With a sad sigh, he grabbed Smoochum, Elekid, and Magby, just barely able to carry them all. Elekid griped very loudly, but made no move to jump out of the Pokémon League Champion's arms. "Get Igglybuff and Cleffa, and make sure that Pichu comes along as well."

"What are we gonna do with them?" A.J. inquired as he scooped up the Normal-Types and was evaded by Pichu. Frowning, he tried to catch the electric rat again as he listened to his father's reply.

"We'll cross that bridge when we come to it."

When father and son managed to get inside the house with their hands full of Pokémon, silence was the only thing that greeted their calls.

"Misty?" Ash called out again, a panicked note in his voice, but it was useless.

They were gone.

The Pokémon Master nearly dropped the Pokémon, but remembered to gently set them down just in time. They were thoroughly confused, and did nothing but watch as he ran into the living room, where there were obvious signs of a struggle.

An unfinished drawing lay in the middle of the floor, right next to a forgotten tiara. Ash's eyes flicked to where he'd had his Pokéballs, but they too were gone.

Fighting back a sob, Ash Ketchum sunk to the middle of the living room, clutching the drawing and toy tiara to his chest, his voice a mere anguished whisper, "No..."