Yikes! I didn't mean to take so long to update this. I've been trying to complete a particular chapter before I updated, but I've got a bit of writers block on it even though I know exactly what needs to happen in the chapter.
Thanks to everyone who reviewed the last chapter. I'll try to make this one less dodgy but Ash is a teenage boy and as such he is bound to start acting like one - to be honest I only included the bit with the innuendo so I could throw in the Brock in bikini line. Now without further ado . . .
_Recap_
Episode Title: All Good Things Must Come to an End
Closest town/landmark: Pallet Town/Oak Laboratories
Distance travelled: 0km
Pokemon mentioned: Six
Hard core Pokemon general knowledge tests 'aced': One
Realizing your best friend is a very attractive specimen of the opposite sex: Priceless
There are some things that can not be quantified . . .
DISCLAIMER: I don't own Pokemon or the MasterCard advertising campaign alluded to.
Ash: The Last Stand – At the Beginning
Ash walked ahead with Misty this time as they walked towards the bus stop on what was to be the first official day of his journey to the Indigo Plateaux. It was strange that although he was excited and nervous about re-entering the league that had started it all, right now all he could feel was sad.
Saying goodbye to Misty was never easy, in fact, it seemed to get more difficult every time. Even just hanging up after talking to her on the phone was hell for him and now he was seeing her off before they parted ways yet again.
"How long do you think before you get to Cerulean?" Misty asked, finally breaking the silence that the two of them had eased into as they walked along the one road in Pallet. Her tone was strange – both teasing and softly questioning. He wondered, as he had many a time before, just what went on in Misty's head.
"I should breeze through these places in no time," he said, his own tone teasing. "Think I might leave Cerulean 'til last though. I hear the gym leaders a bit of a tool."
She scowled, elbowing him painfully in the ribs. Ash just chuckled – it was nothing he wasn't used to by now. "I reckon I'll be in Cerulean in just under a month," he proclaimed happily. "I know it wasn't the most logical route, but I'm gonna try and follow our original journey."
Misty smiled softly. "Should be a nice little trip down memory lane," she mused quietly.
"Be better if you were there," Ash replied, lightly bumping her shoulder with his own. "We had one hell of an adventure."
Misty's smile widened as she bumped back. "Just try not to get yourself killed this time Ash," she told him, trying to look stern but the effect completely ruined by her blue-green eyes sparkling with mirth. "What on earth are you going to do without me there to save you?" she smirked.
Ash pondered her question for a moment before making the decision to be brave and snaking his arm around her waist. He felt her stiffen momentarily but then lean into his side, their steps matching so they could walk comfortably in such close proximity.
"I'd probably die without you, Myst," he said lowly, his words quietly passionate. He didn't think he had ever meant anything so much in his life. It was a scary thought. Misty was his best (human) friend and he honestly didn't know where he would be without her.
"Quit with the sweet talk, Ash," she teased, smiling as she leaned her head on his shoulder. "It's not going to make me go easy on you when you get to Cerulean."
"Ralts," he replied, snapping his fingers disappointedly. "How am I supposed to get the Cascade badge now? I guess I could always try sucking up to Daisy," he suggested.
"I'd kill both of you before I let you get away with it," she said darkly.
"Me and Pikachu could take on anything you've got," he proclaimed proudly, looking to his Pokémon partner who strutted before them, carrying a travel size bottle of ketchup in his paws.
"We'll see," Misty replied secretively.
It was at this point that they arrived at the bus stop, where the bus idled as it waited for its last passenger. Misty sighed as she released herself form Ash's grasp and turned so she could face all three travellers.
She hugged each companion in turn, leaving him or her with a personal message. She warned Brock of what injuries he would face if any harm came to any one of the three (especially Ash) and made him promise to keep her up-to-date with their progress. She let little Dawn know that she could call her if the boys ever got out of line and promised her a few training tips for her pinplup when they got to Cerulean. She handed Pikachu a very large collection of sauce packets that she had been collecting – she had been charging them as a sort of penalty to any trainer that lost to her, meaning she had an incredible variety – and made the little guy solemnly swear to watch out for Ash when she wasn't around.
And then there was Ash.
Tears welled in Misty's eyes as she wrapped her arms around his neck and held him as close as she would let herself. She couldn't even find the words to describe how much she was going to miss him and it didn't even matter that she would be seeing him soon enough. He was her heart after all, even if he didn't know it.
She tried to find words to sum up the moment, but she lost the ability to speak. All she could do was stand there, staring at him sadly as her tears built up and tried to break through her resistance. She wiped them away before they could fall, but the fugitives had already been spotted.
"I'm gonna miss you, Myst," Ash told her softly. "It won't be the same without you."
"Undoubtedly," she replied, putting on a brave smile. "You should have thought about that before you decided to be some big-shot trainer, Ketchum," she teased, sending him a lopsided grin, which was completely at odds with her sad eyes.
"I'm taking this," she said decidedly, swiping the cap from atop his head. "It's collateral, to make sure you come see me."
He nodded. "But you need to give me something of yours. Quid pro quo and all."
"Where'd you learn that?" she asked, sending him an incredulous look.
"It was on one of those legal drama's Mum likes to watch," he replied. "I think she still has a thing for William Shatner."
Misty did not pursue this further but instead moved to unhook the leather thong she wore around her neck. "Here," she said, handing him the leather strap from which hung a piece of amber with what looked like small creature locked inside. "That's your collateral."
She gave him one last lingering hug before jumping on the bus and waving goodbye.
Ash stood staring after that bus long after it was out of his vision. His heart felt heavy, but as he stared at the piece of ancient amber he couldn't help but smile at what it promised. It wouldn't be long before he saw her again.
"So where are we starting?" Dawn asked curiously, looking between the two boys.
"From what you and Misty told me . . ." Brock began, trailing off for a moment as he tried to recall a memory that was almost as old as their friendship. "Viridian City, right?" he asked.
"Pika," the electric mouse confirmed at the same time as its master.
"Yeah, but we'll try to stay out of the waterfall this time," he suggested, "even if it is the fastest route."
The four of them began their journey, walking towards the Viridian Forest – the second fastest route to Viridian.
"You know what?" Ash mused aloud as they stood on the edge of the forest. "I'm actually kind of hoping that Team Rocket turn up at this point," he said laughingly.
"Why on earth would you want that?" Dawn asked distastefully, flipping her hair dramatically over her shoulder.
"Well I met Team Rocket on the second day of my journey," Ash explained. "It's six years to the day that me and Misty and Pikachu first bet the crap out of them."
"Pika!" the yellow mouse cheered from where he had nestled him self atop Ash's hatless head. It was actually rather comfortable up there, cushioned by Ash's messy black hair. He wondered why he hadn't thought of it sooner.
"I suppose it would be appropriate," Brock agreed. "Now that I think about it, it has been awhile since we last saw those three."
"I'm sure they'll show up eventually," Dawn muttered with a wary smile. "They always do."
Ash just nodded as the three humans and their Pokémon began to make their trek through the forest. It was a lot thicker than Ash remembered, but then again, he had been running through it at high speed at the time trying to avoid a flock of Fearrow.
Eventually though, they heard the rush of water and found themselves at a small clearing on the edge of a waterfall. Ash gaped at the sight.
"This is it guys," he proclaimed, gesturing to the space around them. "This is where Misty and I first met," he laughed.
Pikachu made a 'chu' of acknowledgment although he didn't really remember the place all that well. Unfortunately, the small mouse had been barely conscious for a large part of their first day together. All he could remember from their first meeting was Misty's bright orange hair.
Brock surveyed the scene with a smile. It was exactly how Misty had described it to him, right down to the last detail. It was really too bad that she wasn't there to share it with them. He couldn't help but feel that it was somehow wrong for him to be there and not Misty.
"I think now is as good a time as any to stop for lunch," Brock suggested, before adding with a suggestive smirk, "maybe you can get in a spot of fishing."
With that Ash and Dawn each got out their fishing rods and sat by the side of the lake. The three sat in a comfortable silence until Brock started chuckling to himself.
"What's so funny Brock-o?" Ash asked, turning his head slightly so he could look at his friend.
"Nothing really," he smiled. "Just thinking about how you and Misty met. I think even she would agree that it was her luckiest catch."
Ash smiled back, not quite grasping the full significance of Brock's words. He pulled his line back in as the smells of Brock's cooking drew him nearer. He could always tell when it was almost done. Dawn followed his lead.
"I don't know," he replied. "I think she wishes she had tossed me back. She couldn't have guessed at the time that she'd be stuck with me for the rest of her life."
Brock just smiled knowingly as he handed around the bowls serving lunch, but before they could begin, a loud noise just outside of the clearing drew their attention. An almost haunting quiet seemed to fill the clearing as two dark figures – one male and one female – stepped into view, their faces shrouded in shadow.
"To infect the word with devastation," the female figure began darkly.
"To blight all people's in every nation," the male interjected.
"To denounce the goodness of truth and love."
"To wrath to the stars above."
"Cassidy," she said as she stepped out of the shadows, her violet eyes narrowing haughtily.
"Butch," the green-haired male muttered almost bitterly.
"Team rocket, circling earth day and night."
"Surrender now, or you'll surely lose the fight!"
"Now kiddies," Cassidy smiled patronisingly, holding out her hand, "why don't you be good little boys and girls and hand over the pikachu, and all your other Pokémon while we're at?"
"Especially you princess," Butch said hoarsely, pointing at Dawn. "The boss will be very interested in what ever exotic Pokémon you've brought with you."
"You've got to be kidding yourselves," Ash replied as he saw the two villains smile menacingly, reaching towards their Pokéballs. He momentarily considered asking them about the whereabouts of Jesse and James, but realized it wasn't the sort of conversation you engaged in while trying to defend yourself against a pair of crooks.
"Pikachu, thunder bolt!" he called immediately, sending the pair an angry glare.
"Mightyena!" Butch called in return, summoning the wolf like Pokémon. "Try not to go too hard on them. Take down!" Ash completely missed the irony here.
"Pikachu, agility!" Ash tried to counter, but he knew that Pikachu wouldn't be fast enough to avoid the attack. The Pokémon was being called to quickly switch from attack to defence without even discharging the attack it had been preparing.
But before Mightyena could reach them, the hound was diverted by a quick attack, swooping down from the air. A loud cry was heard, and within moments the clearing became dark as a massive flock of bird Pokémon swooped down and began pecking at Team Rocket and their Pokémon, forcing them to flee the clearing.
Ash, Brock and Pikachu cheered as they recognised the leader of the flock. It was Ash's old pidgeot that he had left to protect the wild pidgey and pidgeotto in the Viridian Forest.
"Pidgeot!" the Pokémon cried cheerfully as he settled himself down in front of his master, bowing his head as a sign of respect. Ash immediately wrapped his arms around the Pokémon, unable to hide his pleasure at seeing his old friend.
"That was incredible," Ash said proudly, beaming at the large bird. "I can't believe how strong all those pidgey and pidgeotto have gotten thanks to you."
Pidgeot nodded modestly.
"I bet that fearrow is no match for them now," Brock added to which Pikachu agreed with a happy nod.
"What do you say Pidgeot?" Ash asked with a hopeful smile. "You ready to give Indigo another shot?"
Pidgeot let out a determined cry before flying up into the sky to disperse his flock. He then flew back to Ash who tossed the Pokémon's empty Pokéball into the air, encasing the bird in a bright light before dropping back into his hands.
That night, as Brock and Dawn lay sound asleep in their sleeping bags, Ash pulled out a worn looking book and carefully flipped through the pages. The book was his log of his original journey through Kanto, taking note of everything he had experienced along the way. The journal had been written in a curious way, with only the top half of the pages written on. The lower half of the page had been saved for this journey; the one he hoped would be his final journey through Indigo and the beginning of his life as a Pokémon Master.
The first entry began, as you would expect, by stating his name and his goal and the purpose of this journal. The second entry was more interesting and read as follows:
Log August 2 3010
I am now one day closer to being a Pokémon Master! Me and Pikachu (that's my first Pokémon – all the squirtles, charmanders and bulbasaurs were gone so Professor Oak let me have a pikachu cos he knew we'd be totally awesome together) got to Viridian last night – it took Dad four days, so I'm already ahead. Pikachu was pretty badly injured cos we got attacked by some spearrow so I ran him to the PC where a Pokémon nurse called Joy treated him.
I was really worried about Pikachu, which is why I didn't write sooner. Pikachu was ok in the end, but Nurse Joy said that we were really, really lucky and that if Pikachu hadn't been given that healing potion, things could have been way worse. I guess that means me and Pikachu owe Misty more than just a bike.
I never knew how much a bike costs! I doubt I'm ever gonna be able to pay her back, at least, not before I become a Pokémon Master. When I become a Master I can get her like 50 bikes just to see the look on her face. I bet you she'd be so surprised that her face would be as red as her hair! She'd probably explode or something.
Anyway, these weird people tried to steal all the Pokémon in the PC, including Pikachu. Nurse Joy said they were Pokémon poachers and the most wanted criminals in Viridian. Misty fought them with a goldeen, and then Pikachu attacked them with his thunderbolt and they got blasted off into the sky. It was totally awesome! And they had this talking meowth!
Well, I think that's all that really happened. Catch ya later! AK
An older, and hopefully wiser Ash, began his entry underneath.
Log August 2 3016
Today I begin my journey. It's strange how different it is this time. The first time I set off from Pallet it was just me and Pikachu, who could barely stand the sight of me. And then there was Misty who seemed to like me even less – the girl who promised to follow me until I returned her bike.
This time I begin with Brock and Dawn by my side, the four of us slowly making our way to Viridian. No Misty though, but I'll see her soon. She has my hat, doesn't she? I'm gonna have to come see her if I want it back.
Even though things are so different, everything feels the same. The same sense of excitement. The same nervousness.
This time I know I can do it. I'm not the same trainer I was six years ago. I've learnt a lot about my Pokémon and myself. I think I've even developed a strategy of sorts. It'll be interesting to see where that leads me.
This will be my last journey. I know it. It's Indigo or bust this time. After this, there's no more leagues, no more travelling.
I don't want to spend my whole life chasing this dream like dad did ultimately dying for it. Maybe I'll come back to it once I've lived my life - had a family and gotten to know them, but I won't be like my dad. I won't put my dream before my family and I'll know my kids and I'll love my wife.
Brock always warned me that one day I'd find something I wanted more than Pokemon, and I'm starting to understand what he meant. I'm not sure what it is I want right now, all I know is that I can't continue the way I am for much longer without it.
This is it.
~ to be continued ~
Was that last bit too OOC? I do worry sometimes, especially with diary entries. I guess I just wanted a sense of finality to it – that regardless of the outcome, this is the end. And the double diary seemed a good way of introducing it by way of comparison.
Everyone seemed to be going for the original Pokemon which is the feeling that I was having as well, probably because I'm more familiar with the originals, but I also liked the personalities they were given. I'll probably mix it up a bit and move the team around now and then, so it will be interesting even for me to see who the final 6 are.