Chapter Text
The mornings are typically quiet, especially when traveling in the rural parts of a region. However, this morning is not one of those mornings.
Ash groggily walked through the hotel’s dining area, listening to Dawn’s theory on why so many were mysteriously invited to stay in one of Kanto’s small but luxurious hotels. May and Serena chattered about how suspicious they found that they were the only ones in the hotel except for the staff. While Ash found it odd that he and his past traveling companions from the first six regions were the only ones in the hotel, he was too tired and hungry to care.
Helping himself to a plate of waffles and toast, he sat at Brock’s table. At Brock’s table, several people were chattering as they ate their breakfast. Clemont and Tracey were engrossed in a lively discussion about a scientific topic beyond his comprehension, but he was content to listen to their conversation silently. Sitting next to her brother, Bonnie was asking Misty about the type of Pokemon residing in the Kanto region. Meanwhile, Brock reviewed his notes to prepare for his upcoming licensing exam. Ash wouldn’t know how someone was officially licensed so early, but he’s not asking questions.
“Is Dawn still coming up with crazy theories,” Brock asked, eyes not looking away from his notes.
“You have no idea,” Ash confirmed in between bites. “The theory I heard is that she thinks this is a trap set up by one of our old enemies.”
“Unlikely, but it’s a more realistic theory than what I heard,” Brock said, taking a deep breath. “The theory I heard is that this is a setup for Arceus to gather all of us and ask us to complete a mission.”
What an outlandish theory! Everyone knows how Arceus solely torments him to save the world and handle the legendaries’ temper tantrums and other life-threatening situations. If his friends were nearby, they would only be dragged into his mess because of their association with him. He doesn’t know why Arceus thought being friends was enough justification to pull them into his mess, but that's their life.
“Whatever it is, we can handle it,” Ash stated, waving his fork. “Especially with a group like ours.”
The topic of conversation shifted from there, and eventually, everyone shared what they had been up to in their lives. It was a nice break from their busy lives, especially since they rarely had the opportunity to hang out together in person. No, the group chat doesn’t count because text messages weren’t the same as hanging out in person.
Then, when everyone was so focused on their respective conversations, a familiar red-haired man approached the dining area. So many voices overlapped that no one heard the man’s footsteps or acknowledged his presence.
After a few minutes of standing, the man loudly cleared his throat, followed by a loud cough. Just then, everyone turned their heads in the man’s direction.
“Oh shit, it’s Lance,” Ash blurted out, and suddenly, he had a sinking suspicion that Lance was the one behind everyone’s invitation to this hotel. “Does that mean he was the one who invited us here.”
“Well, there goes my theories,” Dawn commented from her table.
“I was hoping to see some fights,” Max complained, who happened to be also at Dawn’s table. “ I wanted to see a brawl.”
“It’s probably a good thing that none of Dawn’s theory was true,” May mentioned from her spot next to Max.
“Now that I have everyone’s attention, I would like to inform you of why I invited everyone,” Lance announced, checking his surroundings. “ As we are aware, everyone in this room has risked their lives to deal with disasters…”
“You mean doing your job,” Max shouted from his spot.
Cilan and Tracey, who were in the process of drinking orange juice, nearly choked. Iris snickers alongside Lance’s expression. Some stifled their laughter while May quietly told Max to stay quiet.
“As I was staying, various governments are aware of everyone’s involvement in catastrophes that occurred in the past couple of years,” Lance continued and everyone. “However, it had come to my attention that these events could be traumatizing.”
So? It's not like this is anything new to them or the world. These events are something that Arceus throws at them and expects them to deal with them as soon as possible. So more than others, but Ash knows that everyone had to deal with some type of shit when they separated. Just last month, May and Max had to stop a meteorite crashing into Hoenn.
“You’re stalling,” Misty called out while others repeated her words. “Get to the point!”
“It’s decided that everyone in this room is to attend government-mandated therapy,” Lance stated as the room fell silent.
Ash blankly stared at Lance, struggling to believe what he heard. He was unsure what he expected, but it wasn’t government-mandated therapy. Actually, why would they need forcibly need to attend therapy? They are perfectly fine and living their best lives. At least for him, he had stared death in the eye and laughed and survived!
Suddenly, Iris jumped out of the seat and yelled. “Why? What do we deserve to earn such punishment?”
Punishment indeed. Ash shuddered at the thought of being emotionally vulnerable and sharing his thoughts with a total stranger.
“Why,” Clemont asked, pushing up his glasses. “I don’t see the point of attending individual therapy when we are well.”
“Group therapy,” Lance corrects as he attempts to put a positive spin to it. “Everyone in this room is required to attend government-mandated group therapy.”
Everyone begins to talk at once, sharing their opinions about the mandated therapy they are forced to attend. Most were complaining about how they didn’t need treatment, while a few tried to say that they were not the ones who needed therapy. The troublemakers and braver individuals were trying to convince that out of everyone who needed treatment, Ash was the one who most needed it.
Ash took full offense to that, and he never felt so betrayed. How could Misty, Iris, and Dawn throw him under the bus like that? He was about to counter, but Brock quickly stopped the chaos from unfolding.
“Lance, I don’t mean to be rude, but group therapy is a disaster waiting to happen,” Brock warned. He knows his friends, which means he knows what they can do. “Trust me, the last time we gathered at one spot, we almost found ourselves banned from the beach resort we were staying in.”
“Throwing sand and chasing former Team Rocket members was worth it,” May cuted in, fondly recalling the memory. “And seeing them run from Clemont’s invention? Priceless.”
“Who knew he could create weapons of mass destruction,” Iris added.
“It was by accident,” Clemont said, visibly embarrassed. “I didn’t mean to create a mini tank that shoots out fire! It was supposed to shoot out sand!”
Realizing that everyone was getting off-topic, Lance loudly coughed until everyone’s attention was on him. This time, it took everyone five minutes to settle down.
“You can’t make us attend therapy,” Ash shouted while some nodded in agreement. “Some of us have things to do.”
“You don’t have a choice,” Lance stated, pulling out documents from his coat. “Everyone’s guardians had signed the consent forms given to them when Interpol visited them.”
May and Max looked betrayed. Dawn gave a shocked impression. Clemont didn’t know how to feel while Bonnie was unbothered. Serena was visibly surprised that her mother would do something like this.
“But what about those without involved parents,” Tracey questioned. “If you have forgotten, some of us don’t have parents.
“Your legal guardians have signed the consent form,” Lance told the teen. “Professor Oak had signed your consent form, Tracey. Iris, Draydon signed your consent forms. Cilan, Misty, your respected caseworker signed your consent form.”
“What about Brock,” Ash pointed out, ignoring Brock’s stares. “He just turned eighteen, so you can’t force him to do anything.”
“Brock, taking the licensing exam has a stipulation,” Lance explained. He searched for a specific paper until he found a fancy-looking piece of paper. “To be allowed to take the licensing exam years early, the Kantonian government mandates you to attend group therapy.”
“I should have known there was a condition,” Brock said as a few people snicker.
“Ash, while the process of legalizing Kukui as your adopted father is underway, it decided you will be mandated to attend therapy,” Lance continued as Ash gave Lance a look.
“How,” Ash blurted out. “I don’t have a caseworker!”
“You do,” Lance responded. “You never paid attention to the caseworker responsible for the adoption process.”
Oh. That could be explained by how he was enrolled in therapy without his knowledge.
“What if we refuse,” Iris inquired.
“Restrictions will be placed until you complete a set amount of group sessions,” Lance revealed, as sounds of outcry could be heard.
For the next several hours, Lance had to calm a room full of teens, which was nearly impossible for this group of teens. Some loudly complained, some shouted how unfair the situation was, and some attempted to make calls, but their calls were ignored. A few accepted their situation and continued eating their breakfast.
Knowing he could do nothing about the situation, Ash cursed Arceus for everything leading to this.