Ash silently walked through the corridors of the hospital wing. He hung his head low, as all sorts of thoughts and emotions that were ambivalent, flooded his mind. Time can pass by real quick. It has always been a common statement among people, but for some reason, he was feeling it now the most. How time had extreme speeded after that incident. He had waited and waited, patiently everyday just to have his ears blessed with a particular good news. Now, the reality has finally shifted itself according to his expectations. He still couldn't honestly believe this was happening. It wasn't a dream either. It was in fact, the reality.
Pikachu, who was sitting on his self-claimed shoulder, gazed at Ash. The rodent's face was a cake of happiness and sadness, with a little bit of pity as the toppings. It raised its small, yellow paw and patted the back of its trainer's head.
"Pikapi? Pika Pika chu," it said, soothingly.
Ash smiled.
"Thanks Pikachu. I know I can always count on you," he said appreciatively, with a nod.
The others were back waiting at the lobby. They decided it would be best to let Ash go alone in this. He kept walking through the familiar surroundings as he have been here before a couple of times. He could see his mother's room from a distance, as his heart suddenly started to pump excitedly. When he was a few feet away, the door of the room opened. A man wearing a white apron came out with a tab in his hand. He noticed Ash and quickly formed a smile.
"Ash," Dr. Richard greeted and extended a hand out in a polite gesture.
"Nice to see you again Doctor," Ash replied and returned the gesture with a genuine smile on his face.
"Likewise," he replied.
"So.....um how-?" Ash tried to say, but Richard understood what he was thinking, as he interrupted him.
"I just finished the check-up. Physically, she's completely fit and fine," he said and paused. Ash frowned a bit. The doctor sighed.
"She's still in a bit shock after we delivered her the news, but surprisingly, she's been holding up better than we expected. That Mr. Mime has been a great help," he said.
"Mimey's always amazing," said Pikachu which only its trainer understood. Ash nodded in agreement as he again questioned the doctor.
"You said she woke up last night from her coma, right?" he asked, recalling their phone call.
Richard nodded. "Technically she did. But as soon as she woke up, a wave of exhaustion took over her body as she fell asleep shortly after that. Most probably, due to the sudden change of flow in her body that led to that aftershock," Dr. Richard explained.
"What.....d-did she say?" asked Ash as his voice almost broke.
The doctor smiled.
"Where's Ash?" he quoted the older woman's statement. Ash softly laughed at that, as his eyes automatically shifted its gaze.
The trainer then remembered something as he bowed respectfully to the physician.
"I can't thank you enough for everything you-" he started to say, but the Doc quickly pulled him up from his bowing position.
"Thank me all you want later Ash," he said in a gentle tone and pointed towards the door.
"Right now, someone's eagerly waiting for you inside," he said and walked away from him towards the lobby.
Pikachu jumped from Ash's shoulder. It walked towards the locked door and placed its small yellow paws on it.
"Pikaaa Chu," it said looking at its trainer with a contented face.
Ash smiled at his long time best friend and partner.
"Alright buddy. You will be the first one to see her," Ash said as he unlocked the door. He pushed it aside as the inside scenario was revealed to them.
This side of the HQ was faced towards a large meadow in the outskirts of Mt. Moon. There was only one window in the room, but it was big enough to let sufficient amount of light and air in the room. This sort of environment is always suitable and comforting for a patient.
The light from the window once again reflected upon our visitor's eyes. Everytime Ash came here, it was awfully quiet and peaceful.
But today was an exception.
"Wow Mimey! The view here is really beautiful."
Ash's heartbeat dropped for a second when he heard that voice. That voice which always comforted him everytime he needed inspiration and motivation. Heck, it feels like just yesterday since he last heard it.
Ash gazed at the only bed of the room. As an exceptional day it is today, there was no one lying on it. Instead, a woman with a sleeping gown was standing near the window, as she seemed to be enjoying the scene outside. A Mr. Mime could be seen beside her as it looked like it couldn't be the most happiest pokemon right then.
"PIKACHU!" the yellow mouse shouted as it dashed towards the woman. Hearing the cry, she turned around with a bit confusion on her face. The mouse leapt and slammed itself against her with a tight embrace. Delia hugged it unknowingly. She looked at Pikachu for a moment as her brain seemed to be processing the familiar pokemon.
"P-Pikachu?" she asked in a happy tone.
"Pika," the rodent replied and hugged her even tighter.
"Pikachu! It's really you, I'm so happy. How are you?" she asked and hugged it back, as both of them closed their eyes and enjoyed the moment.
"Mime mime," the Psychic type nodded and smiled at the scene.
During the embrace, one corner of the woman's eyes caught the attention of another individual in the room. She gazed towards the door, as her set of auburn eyes met with another similar set. The male teenager just stood there still. His facial expression was unreadable at that moment. He kept staring at the lively person in front of him with a slight disbelief in his eyes. He was reliving the warmth she radiated from her voice and smile once again, which he most likely lost for a time being.
The older brunette unconsciously put down the yellow mouse on the floor from her lap. She stood and slowly took a few steps towards the person.
She stopped a few feet away and started to examine him. Messy raven hair were coming down his face. Even having countless change in his face features, those thunderbolt z marks on his cheeks were still recognisable. The big, auburn eyes of his were sparkling with new found energy. The major change were the height and masculine body, as he looked much taller than the woman. Despite everything, there was a rarely a case where a mother couldn't recognize her own son.
"... Ash?" Delia asked, in a whisper.
"H-hey.....mom," was all the boy could say that moment. His emotions were flooding too much inside of him.
They continued their stare down for a little longer, until Delia finally gave a leap and wrapped her arms around him out of extreme joy, surprise and pleasure. Ash returned the hug as both stayed in an embrace.
"M-my Ashy, is it really you?" she asked again, caressing his cheek with her hand.
The boy nodded and smiled, as his eyes swelled up
"Y-yes mom. Its me," he said as both shared another heartful hug. "It's really me."