Gary, Goh, Horace and Ash were sipping hot chocolate as Danika and Quillon came in, holding their own mugs of chocolate.

" So, how'd it go?" Danika asked.

Ash grinned and set his mug down. " It was amazing! Fi-"

Before he could finish the door slammed open and an out of breath girl hugged in, putting her hands on her knees.

" Ash mom's in trouble somewhere and I need to know whe- oh did I interrupt something? Sorry I'll leave y-"

" Woah woah woah slow down what are you saying?!" Ash exclaimed. " What happened to Mom?"

" Well she's in trouble somewhere but you have your own priorities and I have mine so-"

" What do you mean mom's in danger?!"

Wisty shrugged. " I dunno! Richie literally just called me and was yelling at me for something about mom in trouble?"

Then, a boy wearing green and yellow with a Pikachu on his shoulders Burst in.

" Wisty your mom's getting worse."

" Where is she?!" Wisty exclaimed.

The boy blinked. " I thought you knew."

" I thought you did!"

" Does Ash know?"

Wisty sighed. " Richie, does Ash look like he has any ideas where mom is? If he did he wouldn't be playing cards."

Then she gasped. " Cards!"

She turned and ran out, Chikerita following.

Richie waved at Ash. " Hi Ash sorry we disturbed you you can get on with your wo-"

" And leave mom?" Ash grabbed his hat and put it on his head, Pikachu climbing onto his shoulder. " Not a chance."

He turned to the others. " I'll be back."

Without an answer he bolted out the door and behind Wisty and Richie.

" Where are we going?* Ash asked

Wisty shrugged. " Richie knows "

Richie raised a brow. " I thought you knew."

The snow crunched underfoot as Ash sprinted to catch up with Wisty and Richie. His breath puffed in the cold air, and Pikachu clung tightly to his shoulder, ears twitching. "Richie," Ash said sharply, "you can't just show up and say Mom's in danger without knowing where she is!"

Richie threw his hands up defensively, Sparky mimicking the motion from his shoulder. "Hey, don't blame me! I got a call too-just like Wisty!"

Wisty rolled her eyes as Chikorita bounded beside her, vines twitching with anticipation. "Okay, so none of us knows where Mom is, but I might have a lead." She stopped abruptly, causing Ash and Richie to nearly collide into her. "Think about it," she continued, glancing at the two boys. "Richie said 'cards,' right? Where's the one place we always find clues with Mom?"

Ash frowned. "The market?"

Richie tilted his head. "The Pokémon Center?"

Wisty groaned, smacking her forehead. "No, you morons! The card shop in Pallet Town! Mom loves collecting those rare Trainer cards, and she's always there trading."

Ash and Richie exchanged glances before Richie shrugged. "Makes sense."

"Then what are we waiting for?" Ash snapped, already taking off again. "If she's in trouble, we've gotta help her!"

The trio made their way through the bustling streets of the nearby town, dodging people and Pokémon alike. The winter air was crisp, and snowflakes began to fall as they approached the familiar card shop on the edge of the town square. The neon sign above the door flickered, casting a faint glow on the snowy sidewalk.

Wisty pushed the door open with more force than necessary, startling the clerk inside. "Where is she?" she demanded.

The clerk, a bespectacled man in his 40s, blinked in surprise. "Who?"

"Our mom," Ash clarified, stepping inside with Pikachu. "Delia Ketchum. Was she here today?"

Recognition dawned on the clerk's face. "Ah, yes! She was here earlier, but she left in a hurry. She mentioned something about heading to the Pokémon forest trail just outside of town. She seemed worried."

Wisty nodded, her face determined. "Thanks!" Without another word, she bolted out the door, followed closely by Ash and Richie.

The forest trail was eerily quiet, the only sounds being the crunch of snow underfoot and the occasional rustling of leaves as wild Pokémon darted about. The trio slowed their pace, scanning the area for any sign of Delia.

"Mom!" Ash called, his voice echoing through the trees. Pikachu's ears twitched, and he let out a sharp cry of "Pika!" as if trying to assist.

Wisty knelt down, examining the snow-covered path. Her sharp eyes caught something-a broken piece of a Pokéball half-buried in the snow. "This is hers," she murmured, holding it up for the others to see. "Mom was definitely here."

Richie frowned, his brow furrowed. "But where could she have gone from here? And why did she leave this behind?"

Suddenly, a loud cry echoed through the forest-a desperate, human scream. The trio froze for a moment before bolting toward the sound.

They burst into a small clearing to find Delia surrounded by a group of wild Sneasel and Weavile, their claws gleaming in the dim light. Delia was clutching a bag of berries to her chest, clearly trying to protect it as the Pokémon circled her.

"Mom!" Ash yelled, running forward. "Hang on!"

Pikachu leapt off his shoulder with a fierce "Pika-chuuuu!" A bolt of electricity shot from his cheeks, scattering the Sneasel and Weavile. Sparky and Chikorita joined in, sending out their own attacks to drive the Pokémon away.

Delia's eyes lit up with relief as her children and nephew approached. "Ash! Wisty! Richie! Thank goodness you're here!"

"What happened, Mom?" Wisty asked, helping her to her feet.

Delia sighed, brushing snow off her coat. "I was collecting these berries for a stew and didn't realize I'd wandered into their territory. They must've thought I was stealing from them."

Ash gave her a pointed look. "Mom, you scared us half to death! Richie said you were in serious trouble!"

"I was in trouble," Delia admitted sheepishly. "But I didn't mean to worry you."

Wisty shook her head with a wry smile. "Well, maybe next time, let us know where you're going before you take on a pack of wild Pokémon alone, okay?"

Delia laughed softly, hugging each of them in turn. "You're right. I'll be more careful next time. Thank you, all of you."

As the family made their way back toward the trail, Ash couldn't help but grin. "You know, Mom, for someone who tells me to stay out of trouble, you sure find a lot of it yourself."

Delia chuckled. "I guess it runs in the family."