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Chapter 153 - Chapter 153:Pallet Town – Ash's Homecoming

Ash and the gang finally arrived in Pallet Town, the familiar sights stirring warm memories. The sun shone gently over the rooftops as they approached the cozy Ketchum residence.

Ash stepped onto the front path and called out cheerfully, "I'm home, Mom!"

The door burst open almost instantly.

Delia Ketchum rushed out, her eyes shimmering with joy. "Ash!" she cried, wrapping her son in a tight embrace.

Right behind her was Amber, Ash's adopted little sister. With a joyful squeal, she ran forward and hugged Ash's leg tightly, nuzzling against him with excitement.

"Ashy's home!" she giggled, her voice full of love.

Ash smiled warmly, placing a hand gently on her head. "Hey, Amber. I missed you too."

Behind him, Misty, Sabrina, Brock, and all their Pokémon watched the touching reunion with soft smiles, happy to see their friend back where he truly belonged.

Delia, after giving Ash one more affectionate squeeze, suddenly turned her attention toward Misty and Sabrina with a bright, eager smile.

"Oh my, you two must be so tired! Come in, come in—my future daughters-in-law shouldn't be standing out here like guests!"

Before either of the girls could respond, Delia had already taken them both by the arms and cheerfully dragged them inside the house.

Ash stood frozen for a moment, blinking in disbelief as a large anime-style sweat drop formed on the side of his head.

"Wait… what just happened?" he muttered, half amused, half exasperated.

Behind him, Amber giggled and skipped over to the Pokémon. She happily began playing with Pikachu, Eevee, and Togepi, who quickly warmed up to her and joined in with playful energy.

"Tag! You're it, Eevee!" she laughed, as the little Pokémon squealed and dashed in circles around her.

Ash sighed with a small smile and followed them toward the house, mumbling to himself, "Yep… definitely home."

Ash stepped inside his house, a wave of nostalgia washing over him. It had been quite some time since he'd last stood in this familiar hallway. The scent of home-cooked meals, the warmth in the air—it all brought back memories of when he first left for his Pokémon journey. Back then, a part of him had been worried about leaving his mother alone.

But everything changed during the time of his Cinnabar Gym challenge. That was when Delia adopted Amber. Knowing his mom now had someone to care for—and someone who brought her joy—had lifted a heavy weight from Ash's heart. He was no longer just a Pokémon Trainer traveling the world; he was also an older brother.

And that thought made him smile.

Delia beamed with happiness as she sat with Misty and Sabrina, her eyes twinkling with mischief. With a playful smile, she leaned in closer and teased, "So… have you two and my Ash had any special moments yet? When am I getting some grandbabies to spoil rotten?"

The unexpected question made both girls flush bright red, their faces lighting up with embarrassment. Misty fidgeted with her hair, while Sabrina—usually composed—turned away slightly, a rare, flustered smile tugging at her lips.

Despite their embarrassment, there was a softness in their eyes—a quiet happiness and longing that spoke volumes. They didn't answer, but their warm, lingering smiles said enough.

Seeing their reactions, Delia smiled knowingly. Her little baby boy wasn't a baby anymore—he had grown into a fine young man. The thought filled her heart with joy.

With a bright and motherly energy, she clapped her hands together and cheerfully pulled her future daughters-in-law toward the kitchen. "Come on, girls! If you're going to take care of Ash, you need to know how to cook his favorite dishes!"

Misty and Sabrina, still slightly flustered but now laughing, followed her. Inside the cozy kitchen, Delia began happily instructing them—sharing old recipes, tips, and stories about Ash's childhood meals, from his favorite spicy stew to the sweets he'd beg for after dinner.

It was a warm, domestic moment—full of laughter, clattering pots, and the quiet bond of a family growing closer.

As the warm scent of home-cooked food filled the house and laughter echoed from the kitchen, Ash took a quiet moment to himself. Sitting down on the living room couch, he opened his system interface, a familiar digital glow flashing before his eyes.

"Let's check out our newest teammate," he muttered, tapping to bring up Mr. Mime's stats.

[Pokémon: Mr. Mime ♂️Level: 42Ability: FilterPotential: ChampionSkills: Psychic, Reflect, Light Screen, Barrier, Dazzling GleamIntimacy: 225 (fulll value:255)Item carrying: None]

Ash's eyes lit up with interest. "Champion potential, huh? Not bad at all, Mimey."

He leaned back, a small grin tugging at his lips. Between a powerful support skillset and that mischievous personality, this Mr. Mime was going to fit right in with the team—and make a perfect housekeeper for his mom, just like the system suggested.

After checking Mr. Mime's stats, Ash released the Pokémon from its Poké Ball. Mr. Mime popped out with a sharp salute, brimming with excitement.

Ash smiled and nodded at him. "Hey, Mimey. I didn't catch you to be my Pokémon."

Mr. Mime tilted his head curiously.

Ash continued, his voice warm, "I caught you for my mom and little sister, Amber. I want you to stay with them, keep them safe, and make them happy. Is that okay with you?"

Mr. Mime stood tall for a moment, then gave a firm, enthusiastic nod.

Ash chuckled. "Of course, if you ever want to train and get stronger, you're welcome to visit my other Pokémon anytime."

Mr. Mime gave another exaggerated salute, clearly understanding and accepting his new role.

Just then, Amber came bouncing into the room. When she saw Mr. Mime, her eyes lit up. "Wow! A new Pokémon!"

She ran over and threw her arms around his legs. Mr. Mime laughed with a theatrical flair and immediately began performing an impromptu mime show—pretending to pull invisible ropes, balancing on nothing, and conjuring walls mid-air. Amber clapped with joy, completely enthralled.

Ash smiled, watching the bond form instantly. "Yeah... I think he's going to fit right in."

That evening, the gang gathered for a warm and hearty family dinner. The table was filled with delicious homemade dishes—Delia's signature cooking, helped by Misty and Sabrina, who had been happily dragged into the kitchen earlier. Laughter and the clinking of plates filled the air, creating a comforting and lively atmosphere.

As they ate, Ash and his friends shared stories from their journey—tales of fierce battles, wild encounters, and unforgettable moments. Delia listened with pride sparkling in her eyes, her heart swelling with joy at hearing all that her son had accomplished. She couldn't help but get emotional, seeing how much her little boy had grown into a strong, dependable young man.

Amber, on the other hand, was practically bouncing in her seat. Her eyes sparkled with wonder as she listened to every story, especially the ones about legendary Pokémon and daring rescues.

"Big brother!" she said excitedly, turning to Ash, "Do you think I'll get to go on an adventure like that someday?"

Ash grinned warmly and reached over to ruffle her hair. "Of course you will," he said. "You'll have even more amazing adventures than I ever did."

Amber beamed, her joy lighting up the room.

The dinner continued with laughter, teasing, and shared memories. It was a moment of peace, of homecoming, and of dreams yet to come—a perfect, delightful evening surrounded by family, love, and the bonds that only grow stronger with time.

As the night grew late, the household began to settle down. Delia, ever the gracious host, showed Brock to the guest room, making sure he had everything he needed for a comfortable stay.

Amber, who usually slept with Delia, gave everyone a cheerful goodnight hug before skipping off to her room. But just before she disappeared down the hallway, Delia turned with a mischievous glint in her eyes, looking straight at Misty and Sabrina.

"Now, you two behave tonight," she said with a playful smile. "Remember, there's a child in the house—so no loud noises, alright?"

The words hung in the air for a second.

Ash choked on his own breath, turning bright red. Misty and Sabrina froze, faces flushed with deep embarrassment. Misty quickly turned away, pretending to fix her hair, while Sabrina stared ahead stoically, though her ears were visibly red.

"M-Mom!" Ash stammered, hands flailing a bit. "That's not—why would you even—?!"

Delia just giggled innocently and waved her hand. "I'm just saying! I'm too young to be a grandmother just yet—but not too young to tease a little."

With that, she turned and walked off, leaving the trio frozen in a mix of mortified silence and barely contained laughter. The tension broke when Amber's soft giggle echoed from down the hall, and everyone couldn't help but laugh a little.

The warm, playful energy lingered in the house even as the lights dimmed and the night wrapped Pallet Town in peaceful quiet.

As the moonlight softly filtered through the curtains, Ash lay down on his bed, finally back in the comfort of his own room after so long. On either side of him, Misty and Sabrina curled up close, each resting peacefully with gentle smiles, their arms wrapped around him as if to ensure he wouldn't vanish again.

Ash felt a deep sense of warmth and calm wash over him. It was rare—this kind of peace. After the endless battles, travels, and unexpected adventures, just lying down with the people and Pokémon he cared about the most felt like a rare blessing.

Across the room, Pikachu, Eevee, and Togepi had made themselves comfortable in a cozy little fabric tent house Delia had set up. The soft sound of their quiet breathing added to the serenity of the night.

Ash smiled to himself, his eyes growing heavy.

"Tomorrow, I'll visit Professor Oak. It's time to check in with the rest of my Pokémon... I wonder how strong they've become."

With that thought, and surrounded by warmth and love, Ash slowly drifted off to sleep, his heart filled with quiet anticipation for what the next day would bring.

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