Disclaimer: I do not own any part of WB™, 4Kids™, Nintendo™, or the copyrights to Pokémon. I may have some memorabilia from the show or TCG. I just enjoy the show like everyone else.

Author's Note: this is my first fan fic I ever published. Please send any comments after each chapter.

This story is dedicated to anyone who has lost a person most dear to them and to all the deceased, may they live forever in our hearts.

Note: Ash, Misty, Tracy, and May are about 18. Brock: 20 and Max: 16. I don't know abut Jessie and James because they threatened to kill me if I asked again. (Well at least Jessie did)

Before We Begin: I'd like to get you, my readers, their imaginations going…

You're standing on a shore, the orange sun, just setting under the horizon. You feel the sand between your toes, still warm from the heat. The cool ocean waters rise up to your knees. A soft gentle breeze slowly passes across your face. You're hand in hand with the one dearest to you, the one person you cannot live without. You feel the warmth form their hand in yours. You look at each other, and smile, wishing that this feeling won't disappear. On the wind you hear Lugia's song, you shed a tear. You must leave. You run down the beach, hoping that they'll forgive you. Let you see them once more.

On with the story.

Keeping Memories

Prologue

The Pokémon fanfare trumpets blare in the background as two trainers enter the stadium

"Ladies and gentlemen" began the announcer,"I am proud to announce this year's Pokémon Masters: Ash Ketchum and Gary Oak from Pallet Town!

The crowd roars in approval. Ash's best friends cheered form the side lines as they always have.

"I always knew you'd make it!"

"Way to go Ash!"

Both trainers stepped up the podium ready to receive their award. Everyone rose to their feet and applauded the two trainers for their achievement, all except for one.


Chapter 1 – Wounded Tears

They retuned to Professor Oak's laboratory to celebrate the new Pokémon Masters. They meet in a beautiful grand ballroom. Chandeliers floated around the dance floor, floating high above the dinning tables, emitting a magical glow around the room. Above the dance floor, a magnificent glass ceiling that looked out to the night sky. Nothing could be more perfect.

Everyone they had ever met on their journeys was there. Even the former Team Rocket was there. They had previously been fired for the 8th and final time 2 years ago. They had given up on stealing Pikachu and started their own transport service. This turned out more of a prophet anyway. They were about to go world wide and their stock jumped higher then ever. Meowth sat with Pikachu, who was enjoying a bottle of ketchup.

"Nice job Pikachu, you really worked hard"

"Pi-Pi, Pika, Pi-Pika, Chu."

"Yes, you've really earned that ribbon."

The party was semi-formal, both of which Ash and Misty were unused to. But they tried their best. Ash was talking to Gary about old times. They both laughed at Ash's most embarrassing moments. He caught a glimpse of Misty when she entered the ballroom. The sight almost made him drop his drink. She had her hair done as she always had for the past 8 years. But it was what she wore that amazed him. She had a simple pink dress with slippers of the same color. He lost his ability to speak. Nobody else mattered to him for the moment.

Misty saw Ash gawking at her. She blushed slightly. Pretending not to notice, she poured herself a drink. She then saw an Ash Ketchum she never saw before. He was wearing a white, collared shirt with a pair of navy blue Dockers. Misty smiled to herself, imagining him in a white tux and hoped to actually see him wearing that someday. She started over to Ash.

"Ash I'm so happy you FINALY became a Pokémon Master."

She gave Ash a quick peck on the cheek. Ash, who started turning a little red, could hardly believe what she just did. It was pleasantly warm where she kissed him. He never wanted that feeling to end.

"Th-thanks," he finally managed to stutter

"Hey! I'm one too you know," interrupted Gary

"Oh, sorry. Congrats to you too."

Just then May and Max called them over.

"Hiya Ash!"

"Misty! Come over here, we really need to catch up."

They left leaving Gary to ponder what just happed between Ash and Misty. The band started up. Everyone was getting up from their meals to join others on the dance floor.

"Want to dance Ashy boy?"

He wasn't surprised to hear Misty's nickname for him. Normally he would have said something about it but he let it go.

"Sure."

They saw Jessie and James floating across the dance floor, spinning around and around, as if they were never going to stop. They were finally enjoying themselves after so many years.

A dark figure staggered around outside, unknown to anyone.

"YES! He has his back to the window!"

Misty put on a serious face as she summoned the courage to tell Ash how she really felt.

"Ash, I want to tell you something."

The stranger fumbled with something in his coat.

"I…"

But something beyond the window caught her attention. An arm raised into the light. A gun!

"ASH, LOOK OUT!"

Misty pushed Ash out of the way just as 12 shots came through the window. Everyone dove for cover, underneath tables, behind stone columns and statues. Just as the last shards of glass fell to the floor the police and Officer Jenny arrived on the scene to investigate. Ash's Mom was the first to recover.

"Is everyone okay?"

Tracy answered her question "I think so…"

Ash noticed Misty was still lying facedown, motionless. He got up and slowly.

"Misty, you alright?"

Just then he noticed the blood on the floor.

"Oh god, please be alright" Ash thought desperately.

He ran over to her side. Silently praying to himself

"Misty?"

He carefully placed her in his lap.

"Misty, just hang on. It's going to be okay. We'll get you to the hospital and…"

Misty held a finger to his lips silencing him. She could feel her life force slowly fade from her body.

"No Ash, it isn't."

"Don't say that Mist. I'm not gona let you die. I don't want to lose you…"

"You can't control fate Ash."

Tears welt up in Ash's eyes.

"Now don't start crying on me 'Mr. Pokémon Master'."

A quick smile swept across his face. Misty laid there in his arms. She felt not pain but incredible sorrow. She couldn't bear to leave Ash this way, but she knew she couldn't change anything.

"Why is it easier now?"

She pauses and smiles sweetly. She looked up at Ash then spoke in barely a whisper.

"You should know this, I love you Ash. Always have. Ever since I met you."

Tears were now streaming from Ash's eyes. Everyone watched the two with tears of their own, their hearts reaching out to them.

"I know. I love you too. Always have."

He leaned over and kissed Misty gently on the lips.

"And always will."

Misty looked up at Ash for the last time and gave him a weak smile. Her eyes glistened brightly for a moment, and then faded dim, her last breath slowly escaping past her once warm lips. Ash held her limp form closely to him, never wanting to let go. Her sightless eyes gazed over his shoulder at the starlit sky. Tears fell into the blood.

Write from the Heart