Endings and New Beginnings

Chapter 6: A Problematic Wedding

             The whole Oak property was a hustle and bustle, an ocean of people making last minute preparations.  Inside the house flowers were being watered, chairs straightened, wall hangings dusted.  Outside tables were being set, canopies were being adjusted – thank goodness it hadn’t rained!  The catering company had dozens of people wandering around with pans of delicious smelling food, setting up cooking stations and buffet tables. And in the midst of it all Brock was pacing a small circle, looking from the table of food before him to the sky uncertainly.  As Gary walked by Brock grabbed him.

            “Do you think this is enough food?  Because I’m just not sure.”

            Gary looked at the mountains of food and quirked a brow.  “Well, I am sure, quit worrying.”

            Brock shook his head, “I don’t know,” he was rubbing his fingers together frantically and it was beginning to bug Gary.  “Ash is going to be here you know.”

            “Ah.” Gary nodded in understanding.

            “What about me?” Ash asked, coming up behind them with a smile.

            “We were just talking about you and that bottomless pit you call a stomach.” Gary eyed Ash critically.

            Ash laughed and threw an arm around Brock’s shoulders, “Relax Brock.  There’s plenty of food – even for me.  You’re just nervous because someone else cooked.”

            Brock nodded absently, then shrugged Ash off, returning to his pacing, mumbling to himself.  Ash smiled and walked away.  After a few moments Gary threw his hands up in disgust and stomped away.

            Why were people so crazy when it came to weddings?         

          “Has anyone seen my mom?” Ash asked.

           Tracey shook his head, “She ran back to your house for something I think.”

           “When was that?”

           “I don’t know, maybe an hour ago.”

           “An hour?” there was a worried edge to Ash’s voice.

            Tracey looked up from the stack of seating cards, only a few left, then he could take them out to the caterers, along with the seating chart of course.  “Yeah Ash, an hour, maybe a little longer.  I really don’t know.”

            “What’d she go to get?  The circus?”

            Tracey laughed, “I doubt it!”  Then he glanced out the window at the tentish canopies dotting the lawn, “hmm,” he stroked his chin thoughtfully, “then again, maybe.”

            Ash refused to be deterred.  “I hope she comes back soon.”

            Tracey stood, Ash really seemed worried.  “Hey man, I’m sure she’s fine.”

            “Yeah, I know.”  But somehow Ash wasn’t sure.

***

            “Oh good!  There you are Ash. Have you seen your mother?”  Ash sighed as he turned to face Professor Oak.

            “No, I was just going to ask you the same thing.” 

            Professor Oak shook his head, “The rest of the girls are getting their hair and nails done, the stylist just showed up.”

            Ash nodded, “I know, I’ve been looking for her everywhere but…”

            Professor Oak rested a hand on his back, “I’m sure she’s fine Ash, your mother can take care of herself.”

            “I know.” Ash nodded.

            “Good!” Professor Oak clapped him on the back then gave a nervous smile, “Now if you could just help me.  I’m afraid I’m a bit at a loss.”

            Ash smiled as he followed Professor Oak through the spacious house.  He was as nervous as a schoolboy on his first date.  Hadn’t he done this before?  Ash knew he had, so what was the big deal?  Maybe love just made people weird like this no matter how many times they had been in love before.

            Ash shrugged, he’d probably never know.  After all, he only planned on being in love once.

            He closed his eyes, thinking of Misty upstairs getting all made up for the wedding.  Yeah, she was definitely a keeper.  He couldn’t imagine life without her.

 

            Delia glanced around the house one last time.  Was that everything?  She couldn’t believe she had nearly forgotten her mother’s earrings.  She couldn’t get married without them!  She looked at the clock on the wall.   Nine am .  The stylist would be there already! This had taken much longer than she had planned.  Why had she packed the earrings away again?

            That’s right, she had packed them away when Ash’s father had died. They had been too painful a reminder, and it wasn’t as though she had thought she’d ever need them again.

           Grabbing her wrap <might need this later> she turned toward the door.

         “Help me.”

           Mrs. Ketchum stopped and looked around for the source of the weak plea.

           “Please help me.” The voice called, even fainter now.  Mrs. Ketchum opened the door hurriedly and nearly tripped over a prone form. 

            “Oh dear!” she exclaimed, bending to help the bedraggled, wounded man.  She half carried, half dragged him into the living room, not that he didn’t try to help – he was just too weak.  With a heave she got him partway onto the couch then shoved him the rest of the way.  She looked at him with worry, his eyes, when they were open, were unfocused, his breathing was labored and shallow.

            “You stay here, I’ll be right back.”  He muttered an incoherent response, but she doubted he actually knew what she had said.

            She entered the kitchen, looking for a clean cloth.  What had the boys done with them?  Seeing one she snatched it up and ran to the sink.  Running cold water over the cloth she glanced at the clock.  She really needed to get back – she was so late already.  Oh well, Samuel would wait.  There were still hours till the wedding and the others could finish the final preparations without her. She couldn’t just leave the poor man. 

            She rang the cloth, heading back to the living room.

            “Here you go,” she entered the room and headed toward the couch, then stopped short.

            The man was gone!

            “Wha-?” A hand clamped over her mouth, stopping her startled cry, and a strong arm circled around her waist.   

            “Aw, thanks.” The man grabbed the damp cloth and tossed it across the room with disdain.  “You’re too kind… and too naive.” He laughed wickedly.  He was dragging her across the room to a chair now, she could see a rope beside it.

            “Seth’s gonna love this, little Mrs. Ketchum caught all alone on her wedding day.”

             Delia squirmed, struggling to escape.  Oh why had she come here alone!?  She hadn’t even told anyone where she was going!

            <Oh Ash, I’m so sorry>

 

          “Alright that’s it!”

            Everyone jerked as Ash spoke loudly in the quiet room.

            “She’s been gone two and a half hours, we’ve finished all our preparations, I can’t just sit here any longer!”

             “I know how you feel Ash, but the professor asked us to wait here.”  Tracey leaned toward his friend earnestly, “If she’s not here by the time Jenny comes we’ll all go together to find her.”

             Ash stood, pacing nervously, he slammed his fist against the table.

            “Ash,” Misty came to him, wrapping her arms around him.

            “I can’t wait any longer,” He looked into her eyes, his were haunted, stormy, “Seth is still out there.” His voice seemed to catch in his throat.

            Richie stood, “You’re not going alone.  If it is Seth, you’ll need help.”

            Ash shook his head, “I won’t endanger any of you.”

            Gary crossed his arms, leaning casually in the doorway, “That’s not really your choice Ashy boy.”  He pushed off lightly from the doorframe, planting himself firmly in Ash’s escape path, “We’re coming.”

            Ash looked from Gary to Richie then back, he sighed, “Alright, let’s go.”

            Misty began to follow, he turned toward her, “Not you. You are staying right here.”

            “But Ash!”

            Ash shook his head firmly, pressing his lips tightly together, “No.” she bit her lip and he softened, taking her gently by the upper arms he ducked his head to catch her eyes, “Someone has to stay here in case my mother comes back.” He said softly, “please.”  She could hear the pleading, and pain, in his voice.  She nodded.

            Ash breathed a sigh of relief, “Thank you.”  She forced a small smile. 

            Ash looked past her to Brock and Tracey, “Don’t tell Professor Oak where we’ve gone, but when Jenny comes, send her over okay.”

            Tracey and Brock nodded.

            “Sure Ash.” Tracey motioned Misty over to a seat near Brock and himself.

            “Good luck Ash.”

            Ash, Richie, and Gary left the room.

***

           “Why are you doing this?” Mrs. Ketchum’s voice shook; she was tied to a chair in her own kitchen.  The man she had helped, the one who had tricked her, was pacing around the room like a caged animal.  He had cleaned himself up somewhat, but there was a new sort of filth in his face.  Looking in his eyes Mrs. Ketchum suppressed a shudder – there was something truly vile there.

            The man looked at her, but he didn’t answer.  He hadn’t said a word to her since he had tied her to the chair.  She had overheard him earlier, on the vidphone in the other room.  He seemed to be trying to reach someone, but as far as she could tell he hadn’t been able to yet.  Perhaps that was why he was so uneasy.

            “Where are you?” The man muttered.

            “Where is who?” Delia ventured.  This time he didn’t even spare her a glance.  She sighed and dropped her head to her chest, blinking back tears.  She was supposed to get married in a few hours.  She sniffed softly, she wouldn’t let that man see her cry.

            <Oh Ash, please come find me>

            A sickening thought hit her - what if they didn’t know where to look for her?  She hadn’t told anyone where she would be after all.

            She shook her head.  No, that was silly.  Where else would she be?  If she wasn’t at the Oak lab she would be here.  Of course, the Oak house was huge, and the grounds… But no, surely they would look here first.  She glanced uneasily at the rough man still pacing.

            She only hoped it would be soon.

***

            As they approached the house Ash slowed, motioning the others to stay behind him.

            Something didn’t feel right.  It was too quiet.  If his mother was here why was it all so still?  She wouldn’t be trying to conceal anything.  And where was Mimie?

            Ash dropped to the ground, Richie and Gary followed his example.  He turned his head toward them.  “Something isn’t right.”

            The other two men nodded.

            “Where’s Mimie?” Richie asked quietly, “he’s never this quiet.”

             “I know - that’s what has me worried.” Ash’s eyes were clouded.

            “Hey man, I’m sure they’re fine.” Ash gave Gary a small smile of gratitude.  He was so thankful both Richie and Gary were here.   Gary had become such a good friend over the last few years, and especially over the last two months.

            “We’re in this together.” Richie placed a hand on his shoulder.

            Ash’s eyes began to shimmer, “thanks guys,” he turned his head away with a sniff and swiped his arm over his eyes, “you’re the best.”

            Gary smiled, “well, we’d better get going.”

            Ash nodded.  Crouching, the three men moved along the edge of the yard and up to the house.  Ash edged his head over until he could barely see through the living room window.

            “See anything?” Richie asked.

            Ash shook his head, “No, let’s try the kitchen.”

            They inched toward the corner and the kitchen window. 

            Gary looked into the living room window as he passed it.  He nudged Richie and pointed.  Richie’s eyes widened.

            “Hey, Ash.” He whispered.  Ash turned to look at him, “Did you see how dirty the couch was?  Something is definitely not right.”  Ash’s jaw clenched as he turned back forward.  He was almost at the kitchen window.  His fists clenched spastically.

            “Mom!” a low exclamation.

            “What is it?” Gary and Richie asked together.

            “My mom, she’s tied up!  There’s some guy there too.”

            “Seth?” Gary asked tightly. 

            Ash shook his head, “No, but I’d bet anything this guy’s working with him.  He looks like scum.”

            Ash took a half step forward before Richie noticed and yanked him back.  “I think we should wait for Jenny,” he hissed.  Ash stilled.

            “What for?  It’s only one guy.” Gary sniffed arrogantly.

            Richie shot him a disapproving look.  “We need to let Jenny handle this, we don’t want to risk your mom getting hurt.”

            Ash nodded reluctantly.  He would wait – for now.

***

           “They’re doing what!?”

           “Now Jenny,” Tracey backpedaled furiously, waving his arms in front of him to ward off his angry girlfriend.

           “Richie and Gary are with him.  He won’t do anything stupid.” Brock said.

            Jenny turned to face him, arching one brow skeptically, “Gary?”

            Brock laughed nervously, “Okay, but Richie.  Richie won’t let Ash and Gary do anything stupid, I’m sure.”

            Jenny sighed, “He may not be able to stop them.  Especially if Seth has Ash’s mother.”

            “There’s no indication that anything is even wrong.” Misty put in.

            Jenny looked at her in disbelief, “Ash’s mom has been gone for hours, Ash has now been gone for an hour, and you don’t think there’s anything wrong?”

            “Jenny!” Tracey looked at her, mildly upset.  Jenny blushed and looked down at her feet.  Something might very well be wrong, but it would do no good to push Misty into a panic.

            Tracey shook his head, “Let’s just get going.”  He grabbed Jenny and together they ran out of the house.  Brock put a comforting arm around Misty’s shoulders and turned to watch Tracey and Jenny out the window.  <Wow, how does she run like that in heels?>  

***

            “I’m going in.” Ash had spent the last fifteen minutes shifting impatiently, and he was tired of it.

            “No Ash!”  Richie reached for him, but missed.

            Ash turned back to look at him, “I can’t just sit here while that creep has my mother!”

            “And you won’t have to Ash.” Ash turned to face forward again and nearly collided with the owner of the new voice.  It was Jenny!

            “Sorry we’re so late Ash.” Tracey smiled apologetically.

            “But we’re here now, so let's go!”  Jenny motioned them toward the front of the house.  Once they were all gathered in the front yard she laid out the plan.  They would each enter the house from a different direction.  When they were all in position around the kitchen she would give the signal and they would jump the guy.

            Ash waited anxiously beside the kitchen door.  He had already unlocked it, but he wouldn’t open it until he saw Jenny give the high sign.  He squinted through the window glass.  <She had better hurry>

            Seeing her thumbs up he opened the door and quickly inserted himself between the stranger and his mother.

            “ASH!” Mrs. Ketchum exclaimed joyfully.

            “What the?” The man dropped the vidphone.

            Ash approached him, looking very upset.  “If you’ve hurt my mother…” he warned menacingly.

            “Your, hey wait!” The man turned to run and found himself surrounded by four very angry people.  “I, what is this?!”

            “You’re under arrest.” Jenny told him, holding out her handcuffs on her two thumbs, “kidnapping is a federal offense you know.”

            The man just stood there, doing an excellent impression of a magikarp.

            “Hold him down boys.”  Gary and Richie held him while Jenny cuffed him. “I’m taking you in.” she smiled humorlessly at the man, “and if you’ve been working with that Seth character you may very well find yourself facing even more serious charges – like accessory to attempted murder!”

            The man’s face twisted as Jenny hauled him away, “SETH!!!” he screamed.

            Richie shook his head and turned to Ash – he had been surprisingly quiet.  Ash was staring at his mother.

            “Mom.” Tears filled his eyes as he fell to his knees before her.  “Are you okay?” he managed to choke out.

            Delia’s eyes were filling with tears as well, “I’m fine honey, but, umm, could you maybe untie me now?”

            Ash jumped up, blushing, and quickly untied his mother, wrapping her in a hug.  “Oh mom, I’m so sorry!”

            She rubbed his back, “It’s okay honey, this isn’t your fault.”

            The other men watched for a moment and then Tracey looked around uncertainly, “Um, where’s Mr, Mime?” 

            “Oh, MIMIE!” Delia exclaimed, “I’d forgotten all about him.”

            “It’s okay mom, I’ll find him.”  Ash and the others quickly spread out, searching the house for the missing pokemon. They found Mr. Mime in an upstairs closet, tied and gagged.  Ash quickly released the angry pokemon, then ran as it grabbed up a broom and chased him down the stairs. When the little creature saw Delia he ran to her, throwing his skinny arms around her legs.

            Delia was mortified that she’d forgotten about Mimie, but Ash assured her that he was fine, just a little dusty (which was torture for Mimie).  Dusting the pokemon off they headed back to the Oak lab.  They still had a wedding to attend to after all, and the stylist was waiting. 

            There was a note waiting for Ash when he arrived.  He picked it up absently and walked to a window.  Jenny was handing the kidnapper off to one of her officers.  Boy was he glad that was over, but Seth was still out there.

            He flipped opened the note.  Who would be sending him a note today?  He didn’t recognize the writing.

            Ash, meet me in the north clearing at twelve thirty . You know the one.

                                                                                                             Seth    

            Ash crumpled the note angrily.  That JERK!  Hadn’t he done enough today?  He looked at the clock, ten minutes – it would take him almost that long just to get to the north clearing. Tossing the note in the waste bin he stomped angrily toward the door. 

            He and Seth were going to settle this once and for all!  

“Alright Seth, I’m here now, it’s just you and me.”  Ash stood in the clearing, his feet firmly planted apart.

“I was wondering if you’d show.”  Seth smiled wickedly, his teeth gleaming.  “Even when I received your note, I didn’t think you’d have the guts…”

“My note?” Ash was baffled, Seth had sent him a note. But what did it really matter?  They were both here now.  Ash caught a flash of movement out of the corner of his eye and darted a glance in that direction.  Was that Jesse and James?  He looked back at Seth.

“Well?” He growled.  Movement again, he turned his head a bit.  It was Jesse and James, and probably Meowth too.

“Well.” Seth was still smiling.

Jesse and James were motioning Ash to back up.  He stared at them blankly, what were they doing?

“You did a very stupid thing Seth, endangering my mother like that.”  Jesse was looking very impatient.  Ash forced his eyes back to Seth.

“Your mother?” Seth truly looked baffled.

“Yes, my mother!  Don’t you play the innocent with me!”  Maybe Seth hadn’t known, was that possible?  Did it really matter?  Whether or not the guy had specific orders from Seth, it was clear they had been working together.

Seth just sneered at him. He started to advance. 

“He’s right you know, that was a very stupid move.” Officer Jenny appeared off to Ash’s left.  Seth stopped moving forward, turning toward the new voice. Jesse slapped her head and yanked James from behind the tree, coming to stand behind Seth, facing Ash.

Ash looked at Officer Jenny in question. 

“I saw you leaving, you looked worried sooo…”  Jenny shrugged, it was really self explanatory.  She was a police officer after all.

Ash nodded, still focused on Seth.

“I thought it was ‘just you and me’ Ashy boy.”  Seth looked at Ash mockingly, “Not that it matters.”  He took another step forward, much to Jesse’s delight.

“Hey!  Nobody but me can mock Ash like that!” Gary and Richie walked up on the left.

“Gary ?” Ash asked incredulously.

Gary shrugged, “Richie made me come.”  Ash almost smiled, Gary was clearly itching to have it out with Seth, he’d probably made Richie come. Gary returned his scathing gaze to Seth, “I thought we made it clear that you needed to back off.”  He said harshly.

“What?!”  Ash was really confused now.

“We’ll explain later Ash.”  Richie told him in a low tone.

“You most certainly will.”  Professor Oak and Delia approached; Delia was still a little shaken from her ordeal.  “You sir,” Professor Oak speared Seth with a glance, “Are ruining my wedding.”

Seth was looking around, truly confused.  Poor Ash was just as confused.  Where had everyone come from?

“So you must be Seth.”  Joy narrowed her eyes, clenching her small fists.  “For shame!  Kidnapping a woman on her wedding day!”  Brock laid a calming hand on her shoulder.  Tracey slipped away from them to take a spot beside Jenny.

“I didn’t – errr, who are all you people?” Seth looked around at the sixteen people (and pokemon) surrounding him.  Even May Oak had come, Misty noted.

Misty stepped next to Ash, gripping his arm possessively, “We’re Ash’s friends.  And we aren’t going to let you hurt him anymore.”  Her eyes were flashing with righteous indignation.

May (not Oak) stepped forward slightly, “We aren’t afraid of you Seth.  You can’t intimidate us.”

Seth growled, “Well, I’m not afraid of you either little girl.”  He turned toward Ash, pointing a shaky finger at him, “And I’m not afraid of you!”

“I never wanted you to be.” Ash told him.

Seth grimaced and lunged at him. 

“AAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHGG!”

*THUNK*

“Where’d he go?” Brock jerked back in shock.

Ash looked at Jesse sternly.  She was struggling to hold in her glee, her hands pressed against her mouth, eyes squeezed shut.

“Jesse…” Ash said warningly.

“YIPEEEEE!!!!”  Jesse let out a triumphant laugh.  She was practically dancing.  “We did it!”

 “Um, does anyone know what’s going on?”  Brock looked around expectantly, receiving only blank stares in return.  Only Ash seemed to have any idea what had happened – well, except for the former rockets, all three of whom looked extremely pleased with themselves.  As for Ash, their strange behavior suddenly made sense now.

“YOU – I’ll - OW! KETCHUM!!!”  They all looked around in confusion, Seth’s voice was oddly muffled, and it seemed to be coming from… below them?

“Shut up!” Jesse snapped.

Tracey began to chuckle, “I get it now.” He looked down pointedly.  Richie, Brock, and Misty all raised their brows as understanding came upon them.  They too began to laugh.

Gary ’s eyes widened as sudden comprehension dawned, “Oh, I see.”

“Well, I don’t.” His sister snapped in a very unladylike manner, placing her hands on her hips, “So someone had better explain it to me!”

“It’s really quite simple,” Ash said flatly, his arms were crossed over his chest as he stared at Jesse and James, “he fell into a pit.”

“A pit?!” May Oak asked incredulously.

Ash nodded.

“How did a pit end up out here?”  She asked.

“They dug it.”  Ash pointed at Jesse, James and Meowth, “Well, I’m guessing James dug it actually.”  He clarified.

“And it worked marvelously!” Jesse couldn’t contain her joy.

“But how did you know Seth would be out here?” Richie asked.

James snickered, “We sent him a note – from Ash.”

Jesse smiled, “And we sent Ash a note from Seth!”

“I thought it was rather odd he wanted to meet me after that whole incident with my mom.”  Ash nodded thoughtfully.

Misty looked worried, “But how could you be certain Ash wouldn’t fall in?”

“That’s why we followed him out here.”  Jesse told her, as if it was obvious.

Jenny shook her head, “That was a stupid thing to do.  What were you thinking, taking the law into your own hands like that?”

Jesse threw her a skeptical look, “Oh, like you were doing such a great job.”  She pointed to Delia, “we all saw how much good your method was doing.”

“Why you-”

“Now, now,” Tracey put an arm around his enraged girlfriend, “No use placing blame, we’ve got Seth now - that’s what really matters.”  Both Jesse and Jenny unwillingly conceded this point.

Jenny looked at Jesse, “In the future I would appreciate being consulted concerning such matters.”

With a sniff Jesse nodded stiffly. (Though not without some prodding from James.)

“In the future! Please,” Gary groaned, “let’s not have something like this happen in the future.”

“Now that I can agree with.” Ash nodded firmly.

“LET ME OUT OF HERE!!!” They all jumped at the sound of the disembodied voice.  They had forgotten Seth.

“Shut up!” Jesse scowled toward the pit.

“Jesse!” Delia reprimanded her mildly.

“What?”

“KETCHUM, I’M GONNA”

“Oh, SHUT UP!!!” It was a collective outburst, even Delia joined in, though she blushed afterward.

“Well,” Professor Oak placed an arm around Delia’s waist, “I believe we have a wedding to attend to.”  He smiled into Delia’s eyes, “Come my dear, I hear it takes brides quite a while to get ready, and time is slipping away.  Our afternoon wedding may well take place in the evening.”  Delia laughed lightly as he led her away.

The others began to leave as well, but Misty held Ash back.  “What about him?” she asked quietly, indicating the pit, where Seth was miraculously quiet.

“I’ll take care of him.”  Jenny came up beside them, “I've already called for backup.”

Ash looked relieved, “Thanks Jenny.”

Jenny patted his shoulder, “It’s over Ash, we have enough on this guy to lock him up for years.  We’ll get him a thorough psychiatric evaluation, if nothing else he’ll probably end up in a mental institution for the rest of his life.”

Ash nodded and wrapped his arm around Misty, “Well, guess I’d better go thank Jesse and James.”  He smiled wryly, “That was quite the stunt they pulled.”

“Hmm, yes.” Jenny didn’t look too happy. “Well, I’ll see you at the wedding.”  She tossed them a salute as they hurried off to get ready.