The next day, Ash awoke curled up next to his father.  His father was still asleep, so he carefully climbed over his tail and toddled off towards the kitchen.  As he entered the room, his stomach growled loudly.  His mother heard him, and turned to him immediately.  "Good morning Ash, you sound hungry." she said.  Ash nodded, a blush spreading across his face.  His mother set him down again, and placed a bowl of Pokémon food on the ground for him to eat.  He happily gobbled it up.  Steven eventually awoke, and Delia fed him as well.  Then they all headed over to Oak's lab to get things sorted out.

At the lab, Oak nearly had a heart attack when he heard that the Pichu was Ash.  He then quickly produced two Poketranslators, and gave one to Delia.  Now able to understand Ash, Delia spoke to him.  "Ash, say something." Delia said.  "Hi." he said.  "I knew the translators worked Delia…" Oak remarked.  "Oh…" she said, sweatdropping.

"Anyway, I should be able to reverse the effects of the laser and change you back Ash."Oak said, "As it turns out, there's a reverse switch."  "Can you change Daddy back too?" Ash asked.  "Who are you talking about Ash?" Delia asked.  "He's talking about me." Steven cut in.  "S-STEVEN?!" Delia said, recognizing his voice.  "Delia, who's Steven?" Oak asked.  "Ash's father." Delia answered.  Oak's jaw dropped.

"Well, this is an odd revelation." Oak remarked.  "That's an understatement." Delia added.  "Steven, would you like to become human again?" Oak asked.  "Believe it or not, no. I've grown used to being a Pikachu, and I don't want to deprive Ash of his first Pokémon." Steven answered.  "Alright, if that's what you want." Oak said.  Forgetting to flip the switch, Oak aimed and fired at Ash.

As soon as Steven had said he was staying a Pikachu, Ash's mind had begun to race a mile-a-minute.  He had to decide if he really wanted to be human again.  He eventually sdecided to become human again so that he could be with Misty, whom he had a crush on.  As the laser fired at him, Steven realized Oak had forgotten to flip the switch.  He quickly tripped the Professor, sending the beam through the front door of the lab.  "Oh no…" Ash said.

After helping Oak up, and ensuring he had no serious injuries, the four inhabitants of the lab rushed outside.  A bewildered Pichu stood just outside the front door of the lab.  It looked at itself like a child discovering its body for the first time.  Ash walked up to the Pichu, hoping to identify the laser's latest victim.  "Hi there!" he said.  The Pichu's ears perked up, and its eyes widened.  "A-Ash?!" it exclaimed.  Ash recognized the voice.  "Misty?!" he asked.

"Ash, how did this happen?!" Misty asked.  "Team Rocket made a laser that changed me into a Pichu. Pikachu sent them packing again, but they left the laser behind. The reason you're a Pichu is because Professor Oak forgot to switch it to reverse when he attempted to change me back, so Pikachu tripped him." Ash explained.  Misty was left speechless.  "What are you doing here anyway Mist?" Ash asked.  This caused Misty to blush brightly.  "I-I was coming to visit you…" she said.

"I thought you had to manage the Gym?" Ash asked.  "My sisters came home, so I'm free." Misty explained.  "Oh, cool." Ash remarked.  "Alright, I flipped the switch. Let's get this over with." Oak said, interrupting.  He abruptly aimed and fired at Ash.

With almost no time, Ash made a split-second decision.  He leapt out of the beams' path, rolling up next to Steven.  "Ash, why'd you do that?!" Oak asked.  "I want to stay a Pichu now. The only thing that really made me want to be human again was Misty, and now… well just look at her!" Ash said.  Misty didn't seem entirely comfortable, but she still smiled when Ash toddled over and hugged her.  "I guess I'll have to 'raise' you both now." Steven said, walking up to them.  Ash and Misty blushed.

Suddenly, Delia began to cry.  "What's wrong Delia?" Oak and Steven asked at nearly the same time.  "My entire family is non-human now!" she said.  Suddenly, she reached out and flipped the switch on the laser.  "Shoot me." She demanded.  "What?!" Oak said.  "Shoot me." She repeated.  Stunned, Oak did as she asked.  Delia Ketchum shrank into the form of a female Pikachu.

"Hmm, it would appear it only regresses a subject a set amount of time." Oak said.  "That's right Professor. All four of us are now ten years younger than we should be." Steven said.  "Okay, duly noted." Oak responded, writing the info down on a legal pad.  "Well, since you're all Chus now, so you won't be able to keep Delia's house…" Oak said sadly.  The Ketchums didn't seem very surprised.  "That's not all; trainers can catch you too. Therefore, I wish to make you an offer." Oak added.

All the Chus perked up their ears, which told Oak they were listening.  "There are many friendly Pokemon, and Muk, living in and around my lab. You may live with them if you wish. You won't be caught or given away, and you'll have a steady supply of food. How's that sound?" Oak asked.  The four Chus huddled together, and conversed.  It didn't take long for them to separate.  "We accept your offer." Steven said.

Within the day, Oak took ownership of the Ketchum's old house.  He put their most precious things away in keepsake boxes, and the rest was sold with their permission.  Using the money, Oak was able to make new living areas for the family.  Also, Misty's sisters were contacted, and agreed to let Misty live with Ash.  Steven now raises the young Pichus, and even teaches Delia a little.  The four chus are getting along great, and anyone can tell that Ash and Misty will be together for a long time.