A/N: Did not plan this to go this long
Epilogue along with updates on my other 3 stories soon
Enjoy.
It was the day before I would be allowed to have Pikachu come back and resume my life. Mom was busy creating what I hoped would be another outfit for when I go with Alexa to Kalos and she was keeping me as far away from the living room as possible. My day I spent in the garden helping mom harvest the corn and Abomasnow peas she got from Snowpoint City. My mood was further lightened by the Gracidea's abound in the field behind me, it just made me smile. If I wasn't due to return to my journey I would be happy just living here with Mom and Mimey just for a while.
"Ash, are you done with the harvesting." Mom yelled from the window.
I turned and ran closer "Yeah, is there anything else you need?"
"Actually the PokeMart just got some new Bearticones fresh can you pick some up along with Mimeys food?"
"I'm on it."
I ran off while mom continued working. Later that night we ate one of the favorite things Brock and Cilan always prepared for me, pancakes. Breakfast for dinner nuts to some, but routine for others. While we ate Mom looked over at my stuff on the stairs already packed and ready. Mom as usual was nervous about me setting off.
"Alexa will be coming tomorrow?"
"Yeah I mentioned to her to come about an hour after your revocation ends. I only hope that you can find some friends in Kalos who share your passions."
"Mom, even if it isn't Alexa with me I'm sure someone will come and help me out along the way, you know there are 8 people who feel the same way."
"I know that to be true."
The doorbell rang and Mom rushed over to grab it. I sat nervously twidgeting my fingers back and forth. Mom opened it wondering who could be there that late at night.
"Hello?"
Then I heard a familiar voice call out "Delia, can Ash come out and Play?"
"Brock yes," I ran for the door at full speed "Guys what's going on." I could see Misty, and Dawn were behind Brock as well.
"We have a little surprise for you at the Viridian Pokémon center."
"But Misty Ash isn't supposed to..."
"Mrs. Ketchum we are well aware and we promise it's just us."
"Ok then have fun Ash."
I hugged mom and then we were off. 45 minutes later as we showed up in an especially reserved room for us. I walk in and notice, Iris, Cilan, and May were waiting for us. We all sat down and I broke the ice.
"How's everyone doing?"
Misty goes first diving into detail about her recent gym battle with a trainer named Patrick from Virbank and his very strong Servive who she managed to bind in with Staryu's swift. I ask if all her opponents go down that simple and she mentions that it reminds her of how creative I used to be. May then details her own rivalry she has going with Dawn all throughout Johto and how they've met in the finals of nearly 14 Pokémon contests and the Orange Archipelago Grand festival.
"We've pretty much have been split down the middle."
"How Dawn, how is it that you two are equals?" I Pondered.
"Ash, we just like to have fun it doesn't matter about us winning all the time." May mentioned while I saw Brock down a soda.
"Well it's has been an interesting road for me as well, my brothers and I have opened a new restaurant at the Goldenrod Galleria." Cilan mentioned while looking out the window. "Iris was actually kind enough to bring some guest waitresses from her home to help out."
Iris nearly blushed hard red at that notion "Well, Shannon did say she wanted to see the world outside of the village and it was on my way to meet Claire."
Iris went on with the details as I could tell Brock wanted to get to his story I looked in on him and as soon as Iris was done he started.
"Ash, there actually was a major accident outside of Larousse that involved a trapped flock of Wingull and Pidgeotto. Procter and I led the first responders and I ended up saving the wing of a small Peliper that reminded me of you, so overconfident and yet willing to accept the help as needed. It now comes with me on my runs throughout the campus and Celadon during my morning exercises, a true friend she is."
"Let me guess Brocko zilch on the ladyfront."
"Yes the only good part is that when I traded Croagunk to Forrest I get turned down normally without any tugging from Misty, Max or Croagunk which does make me feel better."
I enviously smile and look at my smiling friends they all had their lives well focused and together. Even Tracey, who lives out his daily dream as Professor Oak's partner in research, was happy so why wasn't I. Misty who was sitting next to me grabbed my hands and smiled.
"Ash can I tell you something?"
I nodded expecting more.
"I've been away from you for nearly 2 years waiting for the chance when we could travel again wanting to know if you'd be the trainer id always wanted to battle and it's a change. But when you become a gym leader, it's another world; you open yourself to all different trainers, who share their lives their passion, and their dreams. A few weeks ago I met this girl from Lumiose City in Kalos, Katie and she has the best taste in music. After her Dedenne gave me the nastiest shock we got to talking and she wanted me to go visit this chateau for gym leaders near Lumiose with her and I'm going to do that in a few months. So hopefully I'll see you around."
That got me thinking as Dawn got up and whispered in Misty's ear. We noticed them nodding and smiling.
"Ok, were nearly set." Misty mentioned.
"Set for what?"
The gang looked at me and smiled "For your reunion!"
The door to the room opened and into the room scurried the best yellow thing I know.
"Pika-Pi" {Ash!} Pikachu jumped up right into my awaiting arms.
"Ohh Pikachu!"
We embraced as only we could the others looked at me and smiled. Then I turned confused.
"But I wasn't supposed to get Pikachu back until tomorrow."
"Well we figured you earned time of your revocation for good behavior." A voice mentioned.
I turned and looked outside the window.
"Tracey, Hi."
He joined us in the room and whispered to everyone else. Misty now turned to me and gave me warm smile and peck on the cheek.
"Ash I think it's time we take a flight together."
"All of us?"
"Yeah, You and Me on Charizard, Iris and Cilan piggybacking Dragonite, and I think Dawns Togekiss can squeeze the other four on."
"Actually Misty she may not be able to fit the rest of us,"
"Dawn you're probably right about that's why I called in a favor from Ash's past. Lets head outside it may be coming right now." Tracey said as he headed out the door and we followed suit.
Outside in the glow of the streetlights I began to notice a familiar shape.
"No way it couldn't be?"
But there it was out of the dark the majestic wings of the second Pokémon I had ever captured.
"Ohh Pidgeot!"
Pidgeot landed next to my feet and nuzzled up against my cheek, then Pikachu hopped on and they hovered above us. My mind went racing with possibilities as Misty came up behind me and put her arms on my shoulders.
"Come on Ash; let's make this a great memory for all of us."
"But I don't have..."
Tracey Immediately hands me a pokeball while Iris and Dawn called out Dragonite and Togekiss. I smiled knowing what this meant, the ball left my hand almost instantly.
"Charizard come on out."
The light gave way and my favorite fire type let out a mighty roar. The body lowered as Misty led me on to his back Pikachu followed and we got risen up. May and Brock climbed on to Pidgeot while Togekiss and Drgaonite had the others join them in earnest. Iris and Cilan smiled, while Dawn just seemed flustered with Tracey. As all 4 of the flying types stood ready for takeoff into the clear moonlit night there was not a part of me that wanted to let this moment pass. Everyone I traveled with together at once ready for one grander sendoff. We all decided to count down.
"In 3, 2, 1!"
We launched at great speed coasting north toward Pewter screaming at the top of our lungs. When we passed Pewter our speed slowed and it allowed me to take some time to reflect. While I was reflecting I finally decided to do what I should have done.
But Misty beat me to the punch and embraced my lips. We both smiled and held hands as we enjoyed the view. Everyone else also held hands even Pikachu held me other shoulder, that image lead me to take one major mental note summing up everything that's happened since Pikachu became my partner in this journey.
There is a reason I have been taking all of this down recently, and that is so anyone who asks about my journeys can see that I was more than invincible. I'm not the light at the end of a tunnel, I was flawed, and I was in a bad place before Pikachu entered my life. My world was brought to the brink of ending and I found the strength to go on, to become stronger. Because I know there are people who say all these things don't happen. And there are people who forget what it's like to be 10 when they turn 14. I know these will all be stories someday. And our pictures will become old photographs. Our names will be written on Pokémon gyms throughout the world. We'll all become somebody's mom or dad. And well have to go through the motions they went through. But right now these moments are not stories. This is happening. I am here and I am looking at her. And she is so beautiful. I can see it. This one moment when you know you're not a sad story. You are alive, and you stand up and see the lights on the buildings and roads and everything that makes you wonder. And you're listening to that song and that flight with the people you love most in this world flying right by your side. And in this moment I swear, we are infinite.
As Charizard, Pidgeot, Togekiss and Dragonite got to the Cerulean Cape the song on Dawns Poketch began to blare loudly.
"Dawn where did you get the music app?"
"Its called Porygon Radio, allows you to customize music, and this song from The Perks of Being A Wailord came on, wanted it to be just like the ending of that movie."
I, I will be king
Togekiss banked above me.
And you, you will be queen
While Pidgeot flew below but Brock and May managed to get in a fist bump before settling below.
Though Nothing will drive us away
Dragonite and Iris both glared then smiled while they moved behind. Cilan of course was just barley holding on for dear life.
We can be better for just for today.
Pikachu jumped to Charizards head.
We Can Be Heroes for just one day
I notice May and Brock lovingly looking at each other
And you, you can be mean
They soon embraced afterwards
"And I I'd win all the time"
I had to sing that part out when Misty embraced me again
Cause were lovers and that is a fact
May removed her green bandana and embraced Brock while I saw Cilan undo the hair clips out of Iris' hair following suit.
Yes were lovers and that is that
From what I could see we all were with our loves, even Dawn and Tracey.
Though nothing, will keep us together
we could steal time,
just for one day
The others flew tight in formation as the lavender town radio tower twinkled below.
Oh we can be heroes Just for One Day.
"Guys get close" I heard Brock yell out as he reached out for Dawns hand. I got the gist and reached for the open hand of Iris.
As we all linked up in sequence the Pokémon decided to make us dizzy and spun us in tow. We barely held on.
"Ok the next part we all have to sing out." Dawn yelled
"But Why?" I asked barley holding onto Charizards neck.
"Ash it doesn't matter just go with it." May Yelled as the instrumental continued. Before we knew it we were above Saffron as a unified chorus.
"I I wish I Could Swim Like The Dolphins
Like dolphins can swim."
"Though nothing, nothing will keep us together
we can beat them, forever and ever
Oh, we can be heroes just for one day"
There we all were flying as one. Not sure if anyone could see us but it didn't matter, for us for all time the 8 of us will always have this flight. The majestic glow of Cinnabar rounded the corner as we moved toward the final stretch of our Kanto flight.
"I, I can remember
(I remember)
Standing by the wall
(By the wall)
Vermillion City never looked as gorgeous as it did from above.
And the guns, shot above our heads
(Over our heads)
And we kissed, as though nothing could fall
(Nothing could fall)".
As the song slowly faded on Dawns Poketch we touched down right back at the Viridian Pokémon Center. I slowly got of Charizard and noticed that Pikachu was about to follow suit but told him to stay put.
"Well guys, this has been fun."
"It certainly has Ash." Brock said holding May up by his shoulder "I think some of us had too much fun."
"Yeah I'm going to get these two back over to Professor Oaks before tomorrow." Tracey mentioned while Dawn was looking at the data on her Poketch
Iris and Cilan smiled at me "We'll see you soon Ash." They both yelled and off Dragonite flew.
"Are you guys sticking around here?"
"They are Ash," Misty mentioned "I'm walking you home."
Before I knew it Misty and I were on the road and everyone else was yelling bye. Pikachu was too even though I would be seeing him in 12 hours anyway. As we walked along Misty described to me all the things about Kalos that I would be seeing. That gave me excitement beyond measure. Without thinking of it, we came back to my house. This was about to be akaward again.
"Well…"
Misty Immidatley locked lips to mine and I embraced her back. It was a good 20 seconds before she broke contact.
"Come back to me safely."
"You know me, I always do."
With that she was gone and I went back up to my room. Mom was on the couch after spending a few hours sewing my clothes again. Tomorrow Alexa comes and then well be going to Kalos, with all that went on these last few weeks, my lone other thought besides how many new Pokémon id meet was relatively simple.
"If I meet anyone, will they be just as important as the other 8 are?"