Chapter no.57 A Mother's Wishes

The air inside the gym was thick with the scent of damp stone and the faint hum of electricity. Midnight had long passed, and yet, the training ground was alive with energy.

Austin stood at the edge of the makeshift obstacle course, his whistle resting between his fingers, eyes locked onto his Pokémon.

The setup was simple in theory—brutal in execution.

Austin had used his old climbing ropes, tying them across the width of the Cerulean Gym’s central pool, creating a network of suspended paths just high enough above the water to be unforgiving.

If Spearow fell? He’d go straight into the deep end.

The goal was precision footwork—something no Spearow had ever needed before.

The additional challenge? He’d have to dodge incoming attacks while crossing.

Pikachu and Rattata were stationed at the far side, sending Thunderbolt attacks his way. Horsea was in the water, ready to snipe him with a Hidden Power—Poison-type. Vee, perched on a ledge, would rain down Swift attacks, forcing Spearow to weave, duck, and redirect his momentum mid-step.

The entire concept relied on science and technique.

Bird Pokémon weren’t designed for sustained footwork—their center of gravity was higher due to their hollow bones, making balance a challenge. Jumping across unstable ropes required explosive strength from his legs. His talons weren’t meant for gripping swinging surfaces; they were built for perching or clutching prey.

But if they could break through that limit—if Spearow could adapt—he would gain a completely unpredictable edge in battle.

And that was everything.

Austin raised his whistle.

“Alright, Spearow!” His voice was sharp. “Let’s go!”

Spearow crouched low, wings tucked, talons gripping the gym floor as he sized up the first rope.

The first gap wasn’t that far—a two-foot jump to the first rope.

He kicked off the ground and immediately overshot it. His claws skidded on the rope’s surface, his wings instinctively flaring for balance.

ZAP!

A bolt of electricity from Pikachu arced through the air.

Spearow jerked his body mid-air, but the sudden movement only made things worse.

His footing slipped.

SPLASH!

Straight into the water.

Austin let out a slow breath as Horsea snorted.

Spearow surfaced, furious, shaking off the water. Pikachu and Rattata winced. Vee, from his ledge, just gave a slow, unimpressed flick of his tail.

Austin crouched by the pool’s edge. “Alright, reset.”

Spearow glared up at him, his pride stinging worse than the water.

“Listen,” Austin said, calm but firm. “You can’t jump like you’re flying. You have to push off with control. Use just enough power to reach the next rope—not more, not less.”

Spearow huffed but nodded.

Austin pulled him out of the water. “Again.”

Spearow narrowed his eyes, crouching again.

This time, he took a shorter jump but too short. His talons barely caught the rope, and as soon as he tried to swing onto it.

“SEA!”

Horsea fired a Hidden Power—Poison.

Spearow instinctively dodged the wave of purple energy and fell again.

“Spearow,” Austin advised, “You can’t dodge mid-jump if you don’t have footing. Get on the rope first. Then react.”

Spearow glared daggers at him.

Austin just pointed at the start of the course. “Again.”

It took three more failures before Spearow landed properly.

The moment his talons clenched onto the first rope without slipping, Austin blew the whistle.

“Good! Now—move!”

Spearow hopped to the second rope, this time adjusting his balance, learning how to use his tail and wings to counteract the swinging.

“Ratta-Tata-TAA!”

A Thunderbolt shot toward him.

Spearow threw his weight sideways, shifting just enough for the lightning to graze past him.

YES.

Austin clenched his fist.

By the time attempt #12 ended in another crash landing, Austin knew they had to stop.

Spearow was soaked. Exhausted. His jumps were getting slower, his movements sloppier.

Pushing further wouldn’t help.

Austin lifted his whistle.

One short blow.

“That’s it. We’re done for the night.”

Spearow snapped his head toward him, visibly frustrated. Austin crossed his arms. “You’re too tired to improve now. If we keep pushing, you’re gonna build bad habits.”

Spearow hesitated.

Then, reluctantly, he fluttered to the ground, shaking out his drenched feathers.

Austin crouched beside him.

“You’re getting better,” he said seriously. “You just need time.”

Spearow let out a low, grumbling chirp.

Austin smirked, scratching lightly behind his head feathers.

“This is just the start.”

Spearow grumbled again but leaned slightly into the touch.

“Alright, team,” he said, voice hushed. “Bath, then bed.”

The Pokémon let out quiet cheers, their exhaustion momentarily forgotten at the mention of a warm bath.

Austin immediately shushed them, motioning for everyone to move silently toward their rooms. The last thing they needed was to wake the others.

The bathroom was warm with soft candlelight, steam curling from the giant tub Austin had filled with bubbles and warm water.

“Alright,” Austin said, rolling up his sleeves. “Who’s first?”

Before he could even blink.

SPLASH!

Rattata had already dived in, paddling in circles with a happy squeak. Pikachu hopped in after her, flicking suds at her playfully.

“Yeah, should’ve seen that coming.”

Vee, on the other hand, elegantly stepped into the water, only getting in as much as necessary. He perched on the edge of the tub, watching the chaos unfold with mild amusement.

Horsea was next.

Austin gently lowered her into the water, and she let out a content little sigh, blowing soft bubbles in the water.

Spearow?

Austin had to pry him off his arm.

The second the bird touched the water, he flapped wildly, sending a storm of bubbles flying in all directions.

Vee hissed, flicking his tail in annoyance as suds clung to his fur.

Pikachu laughed. Rattata splashed right back.

Spearow gawked, offended, before immediately diving into a full-on retaliation.

It turned into an all-out war.

“I just wanted a calm bath.”

At this point, he should’ve known better.

Still, as he scrubbed down his team, making sure their fur and feathers were clean, he couldn’t help but smile.

This was… nice.

Once they were washed, dried, and smelling like lavender soap, Austin led them back to their sleeping areas.

One by one, he tucked them in.

Rattata curled up in her nest of blankets, her tiny paws twitching as she dreamed.

Pikachu nuzzled into his pillow, tail flicking slightly before going still.

Horsea rested in her small, filtered tank, bubbles rising softly around her.

Vee sprawled out on Austin’s bed, claiming the entire middle.

Spearow, finally warm and dry, sat on his perch, eyes already closing.

Austin smiled, lingering for a moment before stepping out making his way toward the kitchen, stomach growling.

Maybe there were still some leftovers from earlier.

“Hey…”

At the table, a mug of coffee in hand, sat Delia Ketchum. Why is she awake? Did she hear something? Did I wake her up?

“You’re up early,” Austin said carefully.

Delia took a slow sip of her coffee, her eyes twinkling with quiet amusement.

“I woke up to get some water,” she said, “and I saw you training your Pokémon from the window, so…” She smiled. “I just watched.”

“Well, I was just grabbing something to eat,” Austin muttered, making his way toward the fridge. “Then heading to bed.”

Delia tilted her head, watching him closely.

“You’ve changed,” she murmured.

Austin stiffened. He stopped moving, one hand still reaching for a container of food.

“Changed?” Does she know? Does she suspect something?

She smiled.

“Ash,” she said softly. “Or… would you rather me call you Austin?”

Austin’s chest tightened. His heart pounded so hard it felt like it was lodged in his throat.

Despite his paranoia Delia wasn’t accusing him. Her gaze was warm. Fond.

She wasn’t questioning him.

She was trying to understand him.

“What do you mean?”

Delia chuckled softly.

“I remember the day you went looking for Pokémon for your kindergarten assessment—without telling me.”

Austin blinked.

Delia smiled, eyes distant with fond memory. “It started raining, and I was worried sick looking for you,” she continued. “And when I finally found you, do you know what you were doing?”

Austin shook his head.

“You had brought a bunch of wild Pokémon out of the rain,” she said softly. “You found shelter for them under a hollow tree. You barely even noticed how soaked you were because you were too busy taking care of them.”

Austin stared at her.

Delia smiled.

“And now, seeing you train your Pokémon so passionately… I can’t help but remember how much you’ve always loved Pokémon. Ever since you were my baby.”

Her smile turned teasing.

“What am I saying? You still are my baby.”

Austin hummed, something tight settling in his chest as he realized just how much more there was to Ash Ketchum’s life.

More than just what he saw in the anime.

There were memories, moments, experiences he had never seen.

There was a mother who loved him.

Even though he didn’t choose for any of this, he felt guilty because in a way… he had taken this life.

His hand clenched slightly.

“Can I ask you something?”

“Of course.”

Austin hesitated, then said, “What if I wasn’t your son?”

Delia frowned slightly, setting her mug down.

“What would you think of me then?”

He had no idea why he asked. Maybe he just wanted to hear it..

“I would see a responsible, hardworking young man who loves his Pokémon,” she said warmly. “Someone respected by his friends.”

“Someone who walks forward with confidence, and can back it up.”

Austin’s breath hitched. She wasn’t just saying that. She meant it.

Something in his chest unclenched.

“Thank you… Mom.”

Delia smiled warmly, watching her son with a quiet amusement. “I still haven’t gotten an answer… Ash or Austin?”

“Let’s just go with Austin.” His lips twitched. “Since I’ve changed.”

Delia rolled her eyes but didn’t argue. “Oh, I know how much you’ve changed, boy.”

“Oh yeah? Like how?”

Delia didn’t even hesitate.

“Well, let’s start with day one… You caught a Spearow. That alone means you had a run-in with the entire Spearow flock.”

Austin froze.

She continued, her tone casual but knowing.

“Then, Team Rocket attacked the Pokémon Center.”

Austin’s jaw was on the floor.

Delia chuckled at his reaction.

“What?” She grinned. “I’m your mother. Of course, I ask for updates on your situation from Professor Oak.”

Austin blinked, still processing.

“You… do that?”

Delia smiled knowingly. “Of course.” She tilted her head. “I just made sure you wouldn’t find out.”

Austin stared.

“I wanted you to have your adventure,” she said gently. “To live your own life. But I’m also your mom. And I can’t help but worry, you know?”

She reached out, cupping his cheek gently.

Austin hesitated for a fraction of a second—then, he leaned into her touch.

“But I know one thing for certain, sweetheart.”

Austin blinked up at her. “What?”

“You’re lying to me.”

Austin’s stomach dropped.

He swallowed, shifting slightly. “I—“

“The way you move.” Her eyes narrowed slightly, scanning him like she had already figured him out.

“Careful. Cautious. Confident, but only when everything is going according to a plan.”

Her thumb brushed against his cheek absentmindedly.

“You only learn to move like that when you’ve been in serious situations.”

Austin felt his breath catch.

For a moment, his brain scrambled for an excuse. For a lie—something, anything to explain away her observation.

“You don’t have to say anything,” Delia murmured, cutting off his thoughts.

Her expression remained gentle, filled with understanding.

“Just promise me,” she whispered.

Austin swallowed hard.

“Promise me you’ll keep yourself safe. Stay healthy.” She smiled, a playful glint in her eyes. “And for the love of Mew, wear clean underwear.”

“That’s the plan,” he joked.

Delia smirked, ruffling his already messy hair. “Good.”

The moment eased into something lighter.

Delia’s gaze flickered to the container of leftovers in Austin’s hand.

“Stop eating that.”

Austin instinctively pulled it closer. “Why?”

“Because I’ll cook you something fresh.”

“You don’t have to.”

“Hush,” Delia flicked his forehead playfully. “Mother knows best.”

Austin sighed dramatically, setting the container on the counter.

“Fine, fine,” he muttered, pretending to be defeated.

Delia hummed in satisfaction, picking up the container and moving toward the fridge.

“So,” she mused, opening the door. “What do you feel like eating? Kalos toast? I know you love—“

She turned back and stopped.

Austin was asleep. He had slumped forward, arms folded beneath his head, his breathing slow and steady.

Delia’s heart softened instantly.

She took a slow step forward, crouching slightly to be level with his sleeping face.

A lock of black hair fell over his forehead, and she gently brushed it aside with her fingers.

Then, with the utmost care, she pressed a soft kiss to his temple.

Her voice was barely above a whisper.

“Don’t grow up too fast, sweetheart.”

She lingered for a moment, watching the steady rise and fall of his breathing.

“Just be happy.”

She smiled.

“That’s all Mom wants.”