Warming Hearts

A/N: Let's just get on with Chapter 3. Roll it!

Chapter 3

Heading Up North

The next morning, Ash, Pikachu, Delia and Mr. Mime went downstairs to the hotel dining room for a quick breakfast. Then, they went back up to their room to pack. As they did so, Ash packed his book into his backpack, folded a thick, warm, navy blue winter jacket as well and placed it inside the pack. He took a couple of seconds to look at himself in the mirror.

He thought that since he was now going to live in Sinnoh, he might dress in something that was familiar to him. He was wearing the outfit he wore during his journey in Sinnoh. A black and white T-shirt with a yellow stripe across and a high popped out collar hugged his torso. He wore semi-baggy jeans, black and red sneakers, and a black and red cap with a blue Poké Ball insignia was on his head. On his hands, he wore similar black fingerless gloves with pale green trim.

He then joined his mother back downstairs. Pikachu leaped onto his shoulder, and they then walked all across town to the bus station, where Delia would go to Snowpoint City with Mr. Mime. Ash embraced his mother tightly. He remembered back when he was a few years younger, he didn't want her to treat him like a little kid. But now, not only did he grow up in mind and experience, he realized that the reason why was because he was her only kid, and that she loves him.

"I'll be there for dinner." He promised.

Delia chuckled slightly, running her fingers through her son's wild raven locks poking out of his cap. "You never miss a meal, Ash." With that, she released him and then boarded the bus with Mr. Mime carrying her two bags, along with Ash's suitcase.

Ash and Pikachu waved to them until the bus was out of sight. They took a short route to the Pokémon Center, where they can get some lunch and where Ash can make a quick video call. As he waited for the call to get through, he wondered how he was going to explain all of this to Professor Oak. The Pokémon researcher had been the closest thing he had to a father-like figure, acting like he was his own grandson in a way. Throughout his life, Professor Oak was the only other one who had full confidence in him when he first started his journey. He couldn't imagine saying goodbye forever to him.

Finally, there was a pick up sound, and the screen showed Professor Oak. His gray spiky hair, his kind eyes, and a red shirt under a white lab coat, was all he could see. "Ah, Ash, my boy!" He greeted cheerfully. "What do I owe the pleasure of this call?"

Ash smiled widely. "Hey there, Professor. I just wanted to ask if you can send me Talonflame." He had decided last night to use the Fire-and-Flying type from Kalos to get him and Pikachu up north. It would be a good experience for him, since he hasn't been in Sinnoh before.

"Of course. I'll send him right over." Professor Oak said.

A couple of minutes later, there was a noise from the Poké Ball Transporter. A single Poké Ball then materialized from a blue light. Ash gently took it. "Got him."

He showed the Ball to Professor Oak. "Wonderful!" The Professor said.

"And also, Professor, you might be wondering why me and Mom are still doing here in the Sinnoh region." Ash added.

"I know why, Ash." He said, making the younger man stare at him with surprise. "Believe me, I am not so happy with this, either."

Ash shook his head. "You can't argue with my mom."

Professor Oak chuckled. "I agree."

Ash then sighed. "I just... I can't imagine not ever seeing Pallet Town again." He said. "Not seeing you, Gary, and all of my friends back in Kanto."

Professor Oak gave him a small smile. "It won't be goodbye forever, Ash. I'll always be there for you. Whenever you need advice or Pokémon. Besides, you can always visit whenever you want."

Ash smiled. "Thanks, Professor."

"I'll talk to you soon, Ash."

The screen then went black, erasing the professor's face from it. Ash turned to Pikachu, who was at his feet, wondering if his talk with the older man made him feel better.

"Pika-pi?" He asked, concerned.

Ash extended his arm to his partner and let him climb back up his shoulder. "I think everything will be okay now, buddy." He assured him.

"Pika!" Pikachu chirped proudly, nuzzling his Trainer's face.

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

Ash and Pikachu left the Pokémon Center and headed over to the park. There, Ash took out the Poké Ball that he got from Professor Oak. "All right." He said with a smile as he enlarged the Poké Ball with a press of the button on its center. "Talonflame, come on out!"

He then tossed up the red and white Ball, and blue light popped out of the capsule as it opened. Once the light had died, a huge bird-like Pokémon appeared. The top of its head and its tail feathers were red and black, and the undersides were gray, speckled with red spots. The talons were sharp and a bright yellow.

"Hi, Talonflame!" Ash cried out. The Fire and Flying type crowed happily at the sight of his Trainer. "Do you think you can give us a ride to Snowpoint City, up to the north?" He asked.

Talonflame nodded, and spread open his wings, readying himself for flight. But before Ash and Pikachu could hop on, a voice all too familiar called out to them.

"Hi there, Ash!" Ash quietly groaned in annoyance, as did Pikachu. They turned and saw Miette and her Slurpuff coming towards them.

"Hello, Miette." Ash said through slightly gritted teeth.

"Is that Talonflame?" Miette asked, looking behind him and seeing the Fire and Flying type.

"Yes." He answered.

"You know," She began getting closer to him, while Ash began to back away from her and towards the water fountain. "Since it's here, you up for a flight? Just the two of us?"

Ash felt his legs hit the side of the fountain, and Miette was now much too close for his liking. "I'm really sorry, Miette, but-"

He then saw Talonflame nodding his head to him, a plan ready. Just in time. He thought as he saw Miette slowly inclining her face closer to his. "-But I obviously don't have time for this. I have somewhere to be. Now, I must go!"

At the last minute, he quickly side-stepped out of the way, making Miette abruptly lose her balance and then fall face-first into the fountain. Ash then ran over to Talonflame, hopped onto his back, with Pikachu in front of him, and all of them then quickly took off into the sky.

Miette got out of the fountain, sopping wet and fuming mad. She glared up at the blue cloudless sky, where Ash had flown away. She still wasn't about to give up, yet. At least she now knows where he's heading.

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

Ash didn't say anything on the flight for the first few minutes. He just kept on gazing out in front of him. Pikachu and Talonflame were getting worried at how quiet he seemed.

Finally, Ash gave out a loud shout of frustration, catching them by surprise. Talonflame decided to swoop down and land at the base of a quiet grassy hill. Ash didn't complain, though.

Once they had landed, he jumped off and began ranting. "Unbelievable! Just, really?! Did she really think she could just throw herself my way and expect me to be wrapped around her finger?!" Ash then turned in the direction where they had flown from. "No way!" He yelled, as if Miette was right there. "That's not for me! I don't want that kind of life." He then began running up the hill, with Pikachu on his heels.

When they were at the top, Ash felt his anger slowly disappear as he felt the cool gentle breeze hit his bare arms and face. He then saw some dandelions fluttering softly in the wind, and their seeds floating off into the distance. His gaze followed them as they disappeared into the horizon, and then he sighed.

"I just want to see what else is out there first." Pikachu looked up at Ash, curious at what he meant by that. "Yes, having someone will be kind of nice, but it won't be just anyone." Pikachu nodded in agreement, and patted his Trainer's leg. "Someone who can understand me, and would want to be with me because they like me for me."

Ash then saw the sun beginning to set. The wind had begun to pick up, and it was much cooler than it was earlier. He took off his backpack, and took out his winter jacket. He put it on, and then his pack. He then turned to Pikachu and Talonflame.

"Come on, guys. We don't want to keep Mom waiting." He said.

The two Pokémon chirped out in agreement with their Trainer. Ash and Pikachu quickly ran back down the hill and jumped back onto Talonflame. The Fire and Flying type then lifted himself back in the air, and they were on their way.

Soon, after seeing snow beginning to cover the ground, they then saw lights in the distance. They had arrived in Snowpoint City. Talonflame soon landed carefully on the icy ground. Ash and Pikachu hopped off and landed on the snow patched grass.

"Thanks, Talonflame." Ash said, before calling him back to his Poké Ball in a beam of red light. Pikachu then leaped onto his shoulder, and the two then went into town to find Delia.

A/N: I hope y'all enjoyed this chapter. Ash is really losing his patience with Miette. But, it would be a while before he would really explode at her.

And I'll admit, I was listening to this while I was writing this way back then.

[There should be a GIF or video here. Update the app now to see it.]

Please leave a comment about what you guys think. They are highly appreciated.

Got to fly! ;)