Warming Hearts

A/N: Here we are, the first official chapter of Warming Hearts! Roll it!

Chapter 1

A Sunny Vacation

Five and a half years later

The sun started to rise and shine its light down onto Sunyshore City. As its beams started to slowly stream over the beachside, it shone into a hotel window, and onto the sleeping form of one young man named Ash Ketchum. His most loyal Pokémon partner, a male Pikachu, who was sleeping by his side, eventually woke up as the warm sun hit his soft yellow fur.

The Electric type stretched out his limbs and admired the sun's warmth in his fur for a few moments before turning over to his sleeping Trainer. He tried to shake him awake, but the eighteen-year-old was not budging. With a silly roll of his eyes, Pikachu jumped off of the bed. His eyes glimmered with mischief while his cheeks started sparking.

"Pikachu!" With that cry, he released a Thunderbolt on the sleeping guy and zapped him awake, while Ash yelled in surprise and pain, jumping a good three feet in the air.

Ash then landed back on the bed with a hard thump. Pikachu jumped back on and cheerfully greeted his Trainer.

"Morning, Pikachu." Ash greeted back drowsily, opening his eyes.

He rubbed his head and sat up from the bed. He then saw a folded note on the nightstand beside him. Ash grabbed it and opened it.

Went out for the day. I'll be back for dinner. Love you!

-Mom

Ash smiled softly at the words written by her. Even though he was eighteen now, his mother still would sometimes treat him like he was still a little kid. But, he still loved her. He put the note back on the nightstand, and got out of bed.

"Pikachu, can you find that book we finished last night?" Ash asked him as he went into the bathroom to get changed and wash up.

Pikachu chirped an affirmative answer, and with some effort, opened up the drawer next to the bed. He then pulled out a red book. Ever since Ash's mother brought them to Sunyshore City for some needed relaxation, she insisted that Ash find something to do since he was taking a break from training.

So a few weeks ago, he and Pikachu stumbled upon a small library on a quieter side of town, and slowly, started reading some of the books there. Pikachu will admit, it was nice to know that his Trainer was starting to like books. He didn't really dislike books in the beginning, but he just didn't pay them very much mind. So it was a good change that he had started to read them.

Ash then came out of the bathroom, fully dressed. His raven black hair was still pretty wild, but a tiny bit more tame than the bedhead he had earlier. His chocolate brown eyes were shining brightly and wide awake. His healthy tan skin was glowing as he stepped into the sunlight. He was wearing the outfit that he wore during his recent journey in Kalos: a blue and white shirt, dark gray pants, and black and red running shoes. Ash then grabbed a red hat with a white half-circle on it from a nearby hook, and placed it on his head.

"Come on, buddy." Ash called out to Pikachu.

His best friend and partner jumped on his arm and handed him the book that was in his paws. After Ash took the book and placed it in his backpack, Pikachu climbed up to his usual spot on his Trainer's shoulder. Then, they both left their room and closed the door.

*********************

Once they got out of the hotel, Ash took a deep breath of the beachy, late summer air. "It's a great day today, isn't it, Pikachu?" He asked.

"Pika!" He confirmed in his own language.

Ash slightly laughed, then started walking towards the library. As he walked along the streets, Pikachu couldn't shake the feeling that there was someone watching them as they walked through the city. Soon, his suspicions were confirmed.

"Hi, Ash!" A familiar voice said.

Ash resisted the urge to groan. He turned over to his side and saw a girl his age with short periwinkle blue hair, ruby red eyes, and pale skin. She wore a green and light aqua long-sleeved blouse, a short skirt with a darker shade of aqua, white stockings, and light orange shoes. Beside her was a female Slurpuff who was giving Pikachu a predatory grin, making him shiver with discomfort.

"Hey there, Miette." Ash put on a fake smile.

"What are you still doing here in Sunyshore?" Miette asked with a seemingly sweet smile that made Ash sick to his stomach. But stil, he gave her an answer.

"I don't know myself. But my mom has something important to tell me tonight. Maybe I'll find out why then." He said simply.

"I see." Miette said. "So where are you headed?"

"Just to the library to drop off this book." Ash held up the book for her to see.

"Want me to walk with you there?" She asked him.

Slurpuff gave Pikachu adoring sparkling eyes, making him quake with disgust. Luckily, Ash caught that. He felt the same at the thought of that offer.

"No, thanks, Miette. I know the way. I'll see you later!" With that, Ash ran off in the direction of the library with Pikachu hanging on tight.

Miette growled as she watched him run off down the street. Make no mistake, she will have Ash. Ever since she met him in Kalos, she knew he was amazing. And she had teased her main rival, Serena Ryder, who also had a crush on him back then, that if she didn't tell him her feelings for him first, then she will tell him of her own feelings.

At first though, it was just a joke to rile her up. But soon, he had consumed her with lustful thoughts, and now, she wanted to touch his lean but strong arms, feeling them wrapped around her, feel his wild hair between her fingers, and do so many other things with him.

Also, he was a future Pokémon Master in the making, progressing so far as making it in the finals of the Kalos League. And she was aiming for the title of Kalos Queen. Such big goals, it seemed so nice in her mind. They'd be perfect together. But, what doesn't he see in her what she does in him? She won't give up until she finally has him wrapped around her finger. Permanently.

*******************

Soon, Ash arrived at the little library. He and Pikachu quickly stepped inside, and looked around at all the books piled on the shelves. There was hardly a sound in the small, quiet building.

"Hey there, Ash!" The young man turned to where the quiet call came from. It came from a slightly older man with spiky blond hair, blue eyes, and pale skin. He wore a blue jacket over a gray shirt, matching gray pants, and black shoes.

"Hey, Volkner." Ash softly greeted the Electric type gym leader. Sometimes, he would work a shift in the library when not the Gym or at Sunyshore Tower, and the two of them would talk.

"Came by to drop off that book?" Volkner asked, gesturing to the book in Ash's hand.

"Yep." Ash handed him the book, then began looking around the shelves nearby. "Is there anything new?"

"Sadly, no." Volkner replied, putting the book away.

Then, he saw the grim look on his friend's face. "Let me guess. You ran into that Miette girl again."

Ash quietly groaned. "I swear, she follows me around like a Pokémon attracted by Sweet Scent!" He then climbed up a ladder to reach some of the higher shelves, with Pikachu jumping off his shoulder and silently landing onto a nearby table.

"You know she likes you." Volkner pointed out. "She is a pretty talented Performer, though. I've seen some of her past performances on TV."

"Yeah, she is. And, boy, does she know it! She rubs it in everyone's faces!" Ash took a deep breath to calm himself before he said something too loud. "Trust me, Volkner. She's not for me."

Pikachu chirped an agreement with disdain. And Miette's lust for Ash was also shown through her Slurpuff towards him.

Ash then grabbed a familiar blue book from one of the shelves. He then slid down the ladder and turned over to Volkner.

"Can I borrow this one?" He asked.

Volkner looked at the cover and smiled at him. "Ash, you read that book already. Twice, in fact."

Ash shrugged. "Come on! It's my favorite so far." He said quietly. "Faraway lands, awesome battles, magic, and royals in disguise. It couldn't be any cooler. It reminds me of the stories that my mom used to read to me when I was little, and I understand them better now that I'm older."

Volkner looked at the younger man, and then gently pushed the book towards him. "How about you keep it?" He asked.

Ash blinked in surprise, while Pikachu gave out a quiet confused chirp. "Volkner, I can't."

But the Electric type Gym leader smiled at them. "It's okay, Ash. We have other copies."

"But, I didn't bring any money with me." Ash said.

"Don't worry. It's on me." Volkner said.

Ash was still a bit reluctant to accept the gift, but after seeing Volkner's kind and reassuring smile, he grinned widely back at him.

"Thanks, Volkner."

Pikachu then hopped back on his shoulder as they began to leave the library. "See you, Ash!" Volkner called out to him quietly and waved to the younger man, who just waved back with a smile as he exited through the door.

*********************

It was sunset as Ash and Pikachu were arriving back at the hotel, with his new book tucked under his arm. They had spent the rest of the day at a local park, getting some training done and just relaxing under the sun while Ash briefly read a couple of chapters of his new book.

Mom should be back by now. He thought. His mother had been acting sort of strange for the past couple of weeks, like she was wanting to tell him something, but didn't know how.

"Hello again, Ash." The person in question quietly groaned when Miette came beside him again. Pikachu sighed with annoyance when Slurpuff winked at him.

"Hey, Miette." Ash replied, placing another false smile on his face.

"I was thinking that, maybe the two of us could go for a nice walk on the beach." Miette suggested as she slowly got closer to the wary Trainer. "What do you say?"

The young man felt an awful chill run down his spine as he gave her his answer. "Sorry, Miette. My mom's waiting for me. Maybe another time!"

Ash then ran into the hotel, leaving behind a fuming Miette. Hopefully not. Ash thought as he ran towards the closest elevator to take him and Pikachu to the hotel room they were staying in.

A/N: I hoped you guys liked this chapter! Next chapter, we will meet Ash's mother and see what will happen next. See y'all then! Please leave a comment about what you guys think!

Got to fly! ;)